The act of fighting fires isn’t just an art; it is also deeply grounded in science.
And it’s grounded in training.
Nearly 100 years ago, the University of Illinois answered the call from John G. Gamber, Illinois Fire Marshall. The state needed a formal fire training program. What started as a collection of lectures and demonstrations quickly became an annual training event that showcased the dedication and innovative approach to fire service training that has stood the test of time.
And has saved countless lives. This is the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI).
The Beginning
Following the 34th Annual Convention of the Illinois Firemen’s Association in 1922, a committee was formed, including professors of architecture and engineering in partnership with Roy Alsip of the Champaign Fire Department and representative of the Illinois Firemen’s Association. Three years later, a "Short Course in Fire Prevention, Control, and Extinguishment" was developed. The following year, the short course became an annual training event that included lectures and demonstrations from working firefighters. In 1931, it was renamed "Illinois Fire College" and in 1976, reorganized as the "Illinois Fire Service Institute" or IFSI as it is called today.
The goal of the committee was to offer practical, hands-on training. This required serious hustle. They called for donations from local businesses and community members to build a 40-ft wooden fire tower. A few years later, a permanent brick and steel tower was constructed. The innovation of this tower was impressive—first floor combustion chamber with varying ventilation systems and a sprinkler system, and windows made of fire-resistant glass for safely observing fire demonstrations. The permanent structure was eventually demolished, with a new structure taking its place.
Adapt and Proceed
IFSI has stood through many of our nation's most trying times. When overall university enrollments declined due to the Great Depression, enrollment at the Illinois Fire College nearly doubled. Due to budget constraints, local fire departments loaned the necessary materials to the University. As America entered World War II, course offerings shifted toward wartime needs, such as Air Raid Alarms, War Gas Protection, Bombs and War Time Electrical Safety and Static Electricity. The University also established a fire defense course to train members of the public as auxiliary firefighters in case of an attack.
IFSI didn’t just evolve with the fire service; it helped the fire service evolve thanks to an unwavering commitment to training and preparation. At the 34th annual Fire College, Chief O.E. Hirst of the Galena Fire Department asserted that "modern firefighting requires all of the mental alertness and good judgement that comes from steady training." Throughout the years, IFSI has adapted to the needs of fire service training, offering mobile "smoke trailers" that helped deliver breathing apparatus training throughout the state of Illinois in the 1980s. In 1989, IFSI dedicated their state-of-the-art training campus, which included classroom and office buildings, structural burn buildings, enhancement of the burn tower, arson burn buildings, four-story vertical rescue tower, confined space training, structural collapse rescue city, liquefied petroleum burn area, agricultural rescue and automobile extrication training.
IFSI Today
IFSI started with just two hundred students from around the United States. Today, IFSI reaches nearly 60,000 students, offering over 1,600 courses. IFSI maintains accreditation with the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC).
IFSI continues to offer mobile training resources, supporting hands-on training at locations across Illinois and around the country. In addition to mobile training, they offer a 28-acre training ground with innovative, class A, live fire and technical rescue props and training equipment. The Illinois Fire Service Institute is also 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.
HAIX® and IFSI
Recently, HAIX® sent a team up to Champaign, IL to experience their training grounds and work with some of their world-class instructors. Our Midwest Sales Manager, Dave Platz, and two of his friends from his fire crew tried out several of the courses, including technical rescue, automobile extrication and live burn extinguishment. "Their facility is second to none," Dave reported. "Available courses are vast, research lab is amazing, and their instructors and staff are the best in the business."
While there, Dave and his crew captured in some amazing shots, and got to appreciate first-hand the long history of the institute.
For more information about IFSI, including upcoming classes and training opportunities, visit their website at https://www.fsi.illinois.edu/.
We would also like to thank the incredible companies that helped make our time at IFSI possible by providing top-notch gear and tools. Thanks to:
Mark and Rachel at Bullard (https://www.bullard.com/)
Karlie at Team Wendy (https://www.teamwendy.com/)
Austin at HexArmor (https://www.hexarmor.com/)
Phoenix Safety Outfitters
Mitch at Fire Maul Tools (https://firemaul.com/)
Taylor McLaughlin at Taylors Tins (https://taylorstins.com/)
Fritzel Media