Chief Fire Officer
Presented by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Educational & Research Foundation in partnership with the Illinois Fire Service Institute
Preparing Leaders for the Next Level
The Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Program is a comprehensive, blended educational experience designed for fire officers currently serving at the chief officer level or aspiring to advance into senior leadership positions.
Developed by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Educational & Research Foundation and the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), this program challenges participants to broaden their perspectives, strengthen their leadership capabilities, and prepare for the responsibilities of executive-level fire service leadership.
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340+
Instructional Hours
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12
Program Modules
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4
Leadership Discussions
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About the Program
The CFO Program combines more than 340 hours of instruction across 12 educational modules and four quarterly leadership discussions. Throughout the program, participants are encouraged to look beyond their existing organizational roles and develop the knowledge and perspective necessary to serve effectively as Chief Fire Officers.
The blended learning format emphasizes professional growth, applied leadership, and the ability to navigate the increasingly complex responsibilities of fire service administration.
View 2027 Tentative Course Schedule
Who Should Attend?
This program is intended for Chief Officers and administrative personnel who currently hold or are pursuing chief-level responsibilities within their organizations.
Recognizing that fire departments vary in their organizational structures and administrative responsibilities, each application is individually reviewed for potential admission.
Department Approval Required
Each applicant's sponsoring Fire Chief or designated representative must approve participation in the program and acknowledge the department's commitment to supporting the student's completion of all assignments and attendance requirements.
2027 Application Information
Applications for the 2027 Program Are Now Closed
Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in the 2027 Chief Fire Officer Program. The application period has officially closed, and applications are no longer being accepted.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
For questions regarding the program or future opportunities, please contact Barry Eggers at beggers@illinoisfirechiefs.org or call 815-791-4485 .
Program Requirements & Completion
The CFO Program begins with a mandatory in-person orientation at the MABAS Readiness Center in Wheeling, Illinois.
Participants are expected to complete all required educational modules, assignments, attendance requirements, and testing components. An end-of-course certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of the program requirements.
2027 Program Locations
MABAS Readiness Center
233 Hintz Road
Wheeling, IL 60090
Mandatory program orientation location
Naperville Fire Department
Fire Station #4 - Training Facility
1971 Brookdale Road
Naperville, IL 60563
Program Tuition
Chief Fire Officer Program
$4,550
Tuition includes all educational materials provided as part of the Chief Fire Officer Program.
Scholarship Opportunity
Supported by the Rice Foundation
Up to 50% Tuition Reimbursement
Through a grant from the Rice Foundation, the Illinois Fire Chiefs Educational & Research Foundation is offering a scholarship opportunity to help eligible self-funding students offset the cost of the Chief Fire Officer Program.
Who Is Eligible?
Students who personally pay all or part of their tuition and do not have access to departmental tuition assistance or reimbursement may apply for the scholarship.
How the Scholarship Works
Following successful completion of the educational portion of the program and passage of the final examination, approved scholarship recipients may receive reimbursement of up to 50% of the eligible tuition amount they personally paid.
Selection & Notification
Completed scholarship applications will be reviewed by the selection committee. Applicants will be notified of their status no later than one month before the program begins.
Important: This scholarship is available exclusively to eligible self-funding students. Reimbursement is contingent upon approval and successful completion of the required educational and examination components.
