BE PREPARED FOR PROMOTION & LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS

Upcoming Workshop Dates

Classes Available

October 12 & 13, 2026 Registration

Host Location
North Palos Fire Protection District
10629 Roberts Rd
Palos Hills, IL 60465

Being prepared for promotion and being a good leader means more than just having time on the job and attaining fire service certification or degrees. To be successful in a leadership role you need to “Be Prepared” ahead of time.

By taking the “Be Prepared for Promotion & Leadership” workshops you can give yourself a better opportunity of placing higher on promotional lists compared to others who did not take the time to learn how to be prepared for promotions and leadership. Don’t wait until the promotional process schedule is posted, act now and be prepared for your future. Skills learned throughout this series will also enhance your leadership skills at your present rank and in everyday life.

WORKSHOP #1 ‐ ASSESSMENT CENTER OVERVIEW, ORAL INTERVIEWING, PRESENTATION, IN‐BASKET, and TACTICAL

Workshop #1 will cover the Assessment Center process, career development, and long‐term preparation for promotion.

Structured Oral Interview: The structured oral interview is used to assess the candidate's attitudinal and background information.

Presentation: The intent of this exercise is to demonstrate the candidate's ability to present an idea or plan a presentation to various groups such as a workforce, civic group, media, Village/City Manager, and/or Board of Trustees

In‐Basket: The intent of this exercise is to assess the candidate's ability to review their in‐basket, such as memos, letters, and reports of varying importance. The Candidate must deal with in‐basket contents to identify specific organizational issues and provide prioritization ranking.

The Tactical Exercise Workshop will focus entirely on tactical fire incidents and how to apply the basics of Incident Command as a first arriving fire officer. By taking this workshop, the attendee will learn how to apply the basics of Incident Command to actual fire scenarios. Breakout sessions will afford you the opportunity to participate in a tactical exercise. Workshop #1 offered - 10/12/2026

WORKSHOP #2 – EMPLOYEE COUNSELING, CITIZEN INTERACTION, GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING and WRITING

Workshop #2 will focus on the techniques of counseling employees and practice exercises. It will also cover communication skills, interviewing techniques, conflict resolution, counseling, and coaching techniques.

By taking this workshop the candidate for promotion (and current supervisors) will learn the factors of good communication to effectively counsel employees. You will learn the problem‐solving model and the different techniques used to resolve conflicts that may arise during shift work.

The Group Problem Solving & Writing Exercise will focus on how small leaderless groups come together to solve a departmental problem and then write a report on the group’s recommendations on solving the problem.

Participating in this workshop will teach you the skills, strategies, and knowledge needed to be productive in group exercises. In addition, you will learn how to gather data, choose relevant data and information, and then present the findings and recommendations in an organized written report.

 If you are a supervisor, even if you are not preparing for promotion, this workshop will teach you how to use a group to accomplish a task effectively. The workshop will also instruct you on how to prepare a comprehensive written report. Workshop #2 offered 10/13/2026

Registration Fee: No walk‐ins allowed.

Pre‐Registration ‐ $150 per workshop

Online Registration is available at www.illinoisfirechiefs.org.

Cancellation Fee Schedule:

Registrations canceled 7 or more days prior to the start of the workshop series will receive a full refund.

Registrations canceled 4 to 6 days prior to the start of the workshop series will be assessed a $50.00 administrative fee per workshop.

Registrations canceled less than 4 days prior to the start of the workshop series will be required to pay the full tuition.

Schedule

The workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is on your own and workshops conclude by 4:30 pm.

This series of workshops is intended to be an individual initiative and is not necessarily intended to be supported through Fire Department Funding.

For more information:

BE PREPARED FOR PROMOTION & LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS

Upcoming Workshop Dates

Classes Available

March 13th & 20th, 2027 Registration

Host Location
North Palos Fire Protection District
10629 Roberts Rd
Palos Hills, IL 60465

Being prepared for promotion and being a good leader means more than just having time on the job and attaining fire service certification or degrees. To be successful in a leadership role you need to “Be Prepared” ahead of time.

By taking the “Be Prepared for Promotion & Leadership” workshops you can give yourself a better opportunity of placing higher on promotional lists compared to others who did not take the time to learn how to be prepared for promotions and leadership. Don’t wait until the promotional process schedule is posted, act now and be prepared for your future. Skills learned throughout this series will also enhance your leadership skills at your present rank and in everyday life.

WORKSHOP #1 ‐ ASSESSMENT CENTER OVERVIEW, ORAL INTERVIEWING, PRESENTATION, IN‐BASKET, and TACTICAL

Workshop #1 will cover the Assessment Center process, career development, and long‐term preparation for promotion.

Structured Oral Interview: The structured oral interview is used to assess the candidate's attitudinal and background information.

Presentation: The intent of this exercise is to demonstrate the candidate's ability to present an idea or plan a presentation to various groups such as a workforce, civic group, media, Village/City Manager, and/or Board of Trustees

In‐Basket: The intent of this exercise is to assess the candidate's ability to review their in‐basket, such as memos, letters, and reports of varying importance. The Candidate must deal with in‐basket contents to identify specific organizational issues and provide prioritization ranking.

The Tactical Exercise Workshop will focus entirely on tactical fire incidents and how to apply the basics of Incident Command as a first arriving fire officer. By taking this workshop, the attendee will learn how to apply the basics of Incident Command to actual fire scenarios. Breakout sessions will afford you the opportunity to participate in a tactical exercise. Workshop #1 offered - 03/13/2027

WORKSHOP #2 – EMPLOYEE COUNSELING, CITIZEN INTERACTION, GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING and WRITING

Workshop #2 will focus on the techniques of counseling employees and practice exercises. It will also cover communication skills, interviewing techniques, conflict resolution, counseling, and coaching techniques.

By taking this workshop the candidate for promotion (and current supervisors) will learn the factors of good communication to effectively counsel employees. You will learn the problem‐solving model and the different techniques used to resolve conflicts that may arise during shift work.

The Group Problem Solving & Writing Exercise will focus on how small leaderless groups come together to solve a departmental problem and then write a report on the group’s recommendations on solving the problem.

Participating in this workshop will teach you the skills, strategies, and knowledge needed to be productive in group exercises. In addition, you will learn how to gather data, choose relevant data and information, and then present the findings and recommendations in an organized written report.

 If you are a supervisor, even if you are not preparing for promotion, this workshop will teach you how to use a group to accomplish a task effectively. The workshop will also instruct you on how to prepare a comprehensive written report. Workshop #2 offered 03/20/2027

Registration Fee: No walk‐ins allowed.

Pre‐Registration ‐ $150 per workshop

Online Registration is available at www.illinoisfirechiefs.org.

Cancellation Fee Schedule:

Registrations canceled 7 or more days prior to the start of the workshop series will receive a full refund.

Registrations canceled 4 to 6 days prior to the start of the workshop series will be assessed a $50.00 administrative fee per workshop.

Registrations canceled less than 4 days prior to the start of the workshop series will be required to pay the full tuition.

Schedule

The workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is on your own and workshops conclude by 4:30 pm.

This series of workshops is intended to be an individual initiative and is not necessarily intended to be supported through Fire Department Funding.

For more information:

Reliance on past performance and one or two testing processes may not result in the selection of the BEST person for promotion.  The Assessment Center process conducted by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Assessment and Consulting Services can assist Fire Chiefs, Fire Commissioners, Human Resource Directors and other key leadership in the promotional procedure by providing insight into a person’s ability to perform in the new position.

Is it worth the time, effort and cost?  

As a professional, critical partner in public safety service delivery, industry professionals agree that no cost, time or effort should be spared to select the right person for promotion.  The outcome of selecting supervisors in the fire service is relatively permanent and the need to make the right decision on candidate abilities avoids failures within your organization.  However, financial considerations must be taken into account, which is why the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association formed the Assessment and Consulting Service to provide a professional, cost-effective approach to the promotional process.  We are a leader in this service and bring current, professional, highly trained leaders to your organization to give you the greatest chance to make informed decisions for the future of your organization.

Additional Components

• Training Workshop: Recommended for all the candidates prior to the Assessment Center- provides an overview and expectation of the Assessment Center. Four (4) or eight (8) sessions available.
• Post Assessment Candidate Review: Discuss strengths and weaknesses with the candidates and/or commissioners.