Our Mission:
Helping Firefighters Do Their Work Through Training, Education, Information, and Research.
The Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) is the statutory State Fire Academy for Illinois. It serves as the oldest continuous fire training institution in the United States. Since 1925, first responders from across the state, nation, and the world have relied on IFSI to deliver hands-on, innovative, and top-quality training, education, and research.
Each year, IFSI reaches approximately 60,000 students through the delivery of over 1,600 courses. Our Firefighting, Special Operations, and Leadership and Command Programs sit at the forefront of national training standards. To consistently offer the highest quality and portable training and education, IFSI maintains accreditation with the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).
The main IFSI campus, located in Champaign, offers a 28-acre training ground with innovative, class-A, live fire and technical rescue props and training equipment. Additionally, IFSI maintains an active fleet of mobile training resources that support hands-on and engaging educational efforts at locations across Illinois and the country. Each year, nearly 65% of IFSI students complete courses at locations other than the main campus.
The Illinois Fire Service Institute is a leader in life safety research. The Institute focuses on action-oriented studies that have a direct impact on first responders' work, health, and safety. IFSI Research carries out projects on the Champaign training grounds, on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, and at partner facilities across the country.
It is our privilege to support the members of the fire service. And, we are proud of our students, staff, and numerous partner affiliations. We invite you to learn more about the Illinois Fire Service Institute through our Annual Report.
The program is designed to provide you with the training required to be certified as Fire Officer I (certificate/degree) and Fire Officer II (degree program only) or with opportunities to increase your job competence as an employed firefighter. Your associate's degree can give you preference points for entry into the paid sector of the fire service, or qualify you for pay incentives.
We Are a Military Friendly School
Purdue Global understands the importance of a quality education and offers flexible programs designed to support those who balance career, duty, family, and their studies. Purdue Global's comprehensive online programs are ideal for those in the fire science and emergency management fields who may work inconsistent hours.
This page provides contact information for state fire marshal offices, training offices and National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) state program managers.
Online learning is a terrific option if you want to take National Fire Academy (NFA) classes. Our online courses are free to fire and emergency services personnel, and international students are welcome. Continuing Education Units are available for most courses. Successful completion is added to your NFA transcript, and you earn an NFA certificate.
This program is a collaborative initiative of several conservation programs, which helps train and place firefighters in various regional or state conservation corps. Veterans are trained to become certified as Firefighter Type 2, and then engaged on hazardous fuels projects involving wildland fires. By joining this program, veterans become AmeriCorps members and receive a living stipend and support while working on projects ranging from 12 weeks to 6 months long.
This organization helps match departing service members taking advantage of the DoD's SkillBridge program with placements in first responder academies and departments. Participants use up to the final 180 days of the military in a placement for education or training to transition to a first responder career. To take full advantage of opportunities at Fire Academies, it is recommended that participants try to complete basic EMT training before the academy's start date.
https://www.firerescue1.com/conn-firefighter-navy-seal-helps-veterans-find-careers-as-first-responders
This news article from Fire Rescue 1 further explains the origins and mission of Hero to Hero.
This program focuses on helping transitioning veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces become employed in the first responder sector. It is based around a mentorship program, pairing veterans currently employed as first responders with recent returnees. Opportunities include professional development, networking, and financial assistance upon referral from a mentor.
This veteran-led humanitarian organization trains volunteers in a variety of disaster response, recovery, and mitigation skills and then sends them to communities in need.
Our Mission:
The program is designed to provide you with the training required to be certified as Fire Officer I (certificate/degree) and Fire Officer II (degree program only) or with opportunities to increase your job competence as an employed firefighter. Your associate's degree can give you preference points for entry into the paid sector of the fire service, or qualify you for pay incentives.
We Are a Military Friendly School
This program is a collaborative initiative of several conservation programs, which helps train and place firefighters in various regional or state conservation corps. Veterans are trained to become certified as Firefighter Type 2, and then engaged on hazardous fuels projects involving wildland fires. By joining this program, veterans become AmeriCorps members and receive a living stipend and support while working on projects ranging from 12 weeks to 6 months long.
This program focuses on helping transitioning veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces become employed in the first responder sector. It is based around a mentorship program, pairing veterans currently employed as first responders with recent returnees. Opportunities include professional development, networking, and financial assistance upon referral from a mentor.