Section 141.301  Basic Operations Firefighter

a)         An Illinois Basic Operations Firefighter certification shall meet or exceed the qualifications identified in NFPA 1001. 

b)         Prerequisites

1)         Engagement as Illinois fire protection personnel, as attested by the employing fire chief of the candidate seeking certification; 

2)         Successful completion of a Basic Operations Firefighter course consisting of a minimum of 180 instructional hours;

3)         Passage of the State Written and State Practical Examinations;

4)         Completion of the classroom portion for Fire Service Vehicle Operator certification;

5)         Completion of certification requirements for Hazardous Materials Operations;

6)         Completion of a CPR/Basic First Aid course;

7)         Completion of NIMS 100 and 700 courses;

8)         Completion of the Courage To Be Safe course;

9)         Familiarity with the signs and symptoms of mental illness, mental health and resiliency, and applicable resources to manage such situations;

10)        Ability to identify the signs and symptoms of substance abuse, particularly opioids, and a familiarity with applicable resources to manage such situations; and

11)        Application for Certification.

c)         Training documentation shall be maintained in the fire service personnel's training records at the employing fire department.

d)         A qualified instructor for this level must be certified as a Fire Service Instructor I. There shall be at least one instructor for every 6 students during State Practical Examination evolutions.

e)         Fire department or individual reimbursement may be available for training costs for Basic Operations Firefighter as provided in Subpart E.

f)         The course as set forth in Section 141.115 and training facility as set forth in Section 141.100 must be approved by the Division.

g)         Credit for an equivalent course will be approved by the Division when the equivalent course meets the requirements of Section 141.120.

h)         Modular Training

1)         Basic Operations Firefighter training may be taken in a series of modules or as a complete course. The module series shall include:

A)        Module A

i)          Orientation;

ii)         Firefighter Safety;

iii)        Fire Department Communication;

iv)        Building Construction;

v)         Fire Behavior;

vi)        Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA);

vii)       Portable Fire Extinguishers; and

viii)      Ropes and Knots.

B)        Module B

i)          Search and Rescue and Firefighter Survival;

ii)         Forcible Entry;

iii)        Ladders;

iv)        Ventilation;

v)         Water Supply;

vi)        Fire Hose, Appliances, Nozzles and Fire Streams; and

vii)       Fire Control and Wildland Firefighting.

C)        Module C

i)          Salvage and Overhaul (Loss Control);

ii)         Fire Origin, Cause and Protecting Evidence;

iii)        Fire Protection Systems;

iv)        Fire Prevention;

v)         Hazardous Materials Awareness; and

vi)        Assisting Special Rescue Teams.

2)         The State Written Examination for Basic Operations Firefighter training may be taken in a series of modules or as one complete examination.

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 424, effective January 1, 2023)