Chief Fire Officer

Illinois Fire Chiefs Educational & Research Foundation

and the

Illinois Fire Service Institute

Chief Fire Officer Information

2026 Class Registration Open

 

WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY

A successful Chief Officer in any organization must have a broad range of knowledge and skills beyond traditional areas of expertise. There is an increasing awareness of education's vital role in developing high-quality chief officers.  The Chief Fire Officer Certification program addresses current issues and will provide the Chief Executive Officer with the tools needed to be a progressive leader. Successful completion of this program fulfills the course requirements set forth by the Office of the State Fire Marshal for certification as a Chief Fire Officer. Additionally, completion of the program qualifies for ProBoard certification and the educational requirements leading to CFO designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).

This program replaces the previous Fire Officer III Program and meets the requirements for OFSM certification at the newly established Chief Fire Officer level.  This program meets all the N.F.P.A. Fire Officer III and IV requirements. 

COURSE TOPICS

The program consists of 340 hours of instruction and is composed of 13 modules over 14 months. 

1.   Leadership 8.      Strategic Planning 2.   Professional Development 9.      Working in the Community 3.   Communications 10.    Managing the Codes, Enforcement Process & CRR 4.   Legal Issues 11.    Emergency Management & Response Planning 5.   Human Resources 12.    Life Safety Initiatives 6.   Intergovernmental Relations 13.    Resiliency/Mental Health 7.   Budget and Finance Issues 14.    Four Leadership Discussions

 

Click HERE Tentative Course Schedule November 2025 through January 2027

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Personnel seeking chief-level positions: This program has been developed for Chief Officers and/or administrative personnel. However, because of the diverse organizational structures and administrative responsibilities that an applicant may have, each application packet will be reviewed for possible admission into the program. The sponsoring department’s Fire Chief and/or designee will be required to approve the students’ entrance into the program & acknowledge the commitment from the department and that the student for this course will complete all assignments and attendance requirements associated with the Program.

ILLINOIS FIRE CHIEFS' FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS

The program begins with an in-person Mandatory Orientation. An end-of-course certificate will be awarded when all educational and testing components have been met.

CLASS LOCATIONS FOR THE 2026 CLASS

 

COURSE FEE

For those candidates enrolled in the Chief Fire Officer program, the tuition is $4,550. This fee includes all educational materials.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The IFCA has received a funding grant from the Rice Foundation for the CFO Program. Students who are self-paying their tuition will be eligible for a 50% tuition scholarship.  This will only be available for students who have no opportunity for tuition payment or reimbursement from their department. Those who request this scholarship will be eligible for 50% reimbursement after the completion of the educational portion of the class and have passed the final exam.  

Once the application has been completed and submitted, it will be evaluated by the selection committee. Applicants will be notified of their status no later than one month before the start of the program.  This option is solely for students who are self-funding the CFO program.

We are making every effort to make the program as paperless as possible.   Applications must be completed online through the link above.

Should you have further questions, please contact:

Barry Eggers

Phone: 815-791-4485

Email: beggers@illinoisfirechiefs.org

 

 

Chief Fire Officer Video