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.