Emergency Services - Fire Science and Safety

ECC's emergency services training programs are designed to teach the fundamentals of several emergency services disciplines.

Emergency services programs train firefighters, emergency dispatchers, and emergency medical technicians--basic and paramedic. These programs are designed to provide students with the entry level knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen disciplines, including fire science and safety (FSS), emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B), emergency medical technician-paramedic (EMT-P), and emergency dispatcher (PSC). Students acquire specialized knowledge and skills from current emergency services practitioners. Emergency services training programs also benefit veteran emergency services professionals needing to update their skills and education. All training received within ECC's emergency services training programs complies with local, state, and national certifying agencies; this enables graduates to obtain job-ready certifications.

Accreditation


Our BOF program (Fire Academy) is approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM), and completion qualifies students for the State Fire Marshal Certification Tests for Basic Operations Firefighter, Fire Service Vehicle Operator and Hazardous Materials Operations.

Entrance Requirements:

Submit the following deliverable materials via CastleBranch

• Background Check
• Drug Test
• Physical Exam
o Physical examination within one (1) year of the academy's start date or a typed note signed by their primary care physicians (PCPs) stating they are physically fit to participate in the BOF academy.

*If students complete FSS 215 (EMT-B course) and enroll in the next immediate BOF academy, they’ve met the background check and drug test requirements, as FSS 215 students must pass a background check and a drug test to perform their clinical hours.


Admission Procedures


Admittance in to the BOF courses must be approved by the Sr. Director of Academic Programming and Public Safety Training.  Sponsorship by a fire department is encouraged but not required. Enrolling in this program at the ECC Center for Emergency Services in Burlington, Illinois, is the first step. Choose from the Spring or Fall semester. In the same semester, you’ll complete all five courses (Basic Operations Firefighter Module A, B, and C, plus Vehicle Operator/Rescue Awareness and Hazardous Materials Chemistry) to complete the Basic Operations Firefighter program and work toward OSFM certification.

Program requirements


Drug test, criminal background check, and medical certification for physical activity are required for students participating in the fire academy courses that are not sponsored by a fire department or fire district.  Students sponsored by a fire department or fire district will comply with the specific organizational requirements.    

Policies and Procedures


Fire Academy students must pay for their drug tests, criminal background checks. Drug tests, criminal background checks, and medical certification are tracked by CastleBranch, an online company, and monitored by ECC staff. All records are confidential. Students must pass their drug tests, criminal background checks to perform their clinical evaluations.