Outreach and Giving Programs
Meeting New Challenges
Today’s firefighters and first responders are consistently facing new challenges in their public service efforts. They are being called upon to deal with a host of unconventional hazards and rescue situations and to adapt quickly to new equipment and technology. To prepare for these challenges, all first responders need intensive and continuous training in settings that replicate real-life situations.
Each year, over 60,000 students count on the Illinois Fire Service Institute to prepare them for challenges they will face.
Your help is critical
You can play an important role in delivering this vital training by partnering with the Illinois Fire Service Institute. Your support makes it possible for IFSI to train more first responders and to ensure that they have access to the most up-to-date facilities, props, and equipment. IFSI delivers practical, hands-on training and education which requires extensive resources.
Opportunities to Help:
IFSI Fund
The IFSI Fund is a general use fund which allows the Institute to provide and enhance training across the full spectrum of first responder needs. Basic and advanced structure firefighting, trench rescue, vehicle/machinery rescue, confined space rescue, collapse building rescue, hazard material, rope rescue, fire investigation and other first responder training benefit from this fund. This fund also includes maintaining current training props and developing new props for first responders thus ensuring an up to date and safe training environment. Your support will help first responders continue to receive hands on experience in realistic training environments.Learn More and Donate Brochure
Firefighter Life Safety Research Fund
The IFSI Research Fund is an endowment which is used to support firefighter life safety study and research. The Fund supports applied research in collaboration with other disciplines at the University of Illinois to study equipment as well as human factors that contribute to the health and safety of first responders. Your support will allow the continued research in these critical areas of study to insure everyone returns home safely.Learn More and Donate Brochure
Ag Rescue Training Fund
The Ag Rescue Training Fund is an endowment which is used to support the various Ag Rescue courses at the Institute. The training includes grain bin rescue, fires on the farm, ag rescue techniques, anhydrous ammonia emergencies, ethanol awareness and others. These techniques are used by urban first responders as well as those in rural areas. Your support insures continued delivery of this program.Learn More and Donate Brochure
LRRC Fund
The Learning Resource and Research Center was dedicated in 2011. The building houses a memorial hall dedicated to fallen firefighters in Illinois, the only fire science dedicated library in the State of Illinois, research laboratories, offices, meeting rooms and a fully ready emergency operation center. Your support of this facility is helping first responders while leaving a legacy for your company or family.Learn More and Donate
Grain Bin Rescue Ops Fund
The Grain Bin Rescue Operations training program enables firefighters, other first responders and private sector rescue teams to get specific training on grain bin rescues. Contributions to the fund pay for the delivery of 40-hour classes delivered on weekends throughout Illinois to accommodate the schedules of volunteer firefighters and others who cannot afford to be away from home during the week.
Learn More and DonateIllini Emergency Medical Services Fund
Illini Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) is the student-led EMS program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. IEMS functions to have a safer campus by providing volunteer EMT-Level responders for over 250 campus events and activities each academic year. Donations to the IEMS fund will be used to improve emergency response equipment, offset the costs of EMT-Basic and other training, and expand IEMS's response capabilities.
Learn More and Donate