Section 141.100  Training Facility Approval

a)         To become a training facility for purposes of conducting training as required by this Part, an application shall be submitted via the DPSE WebAccess Portal for review and approval by the Division. Each application shall include a minimum of one Course Approval Application as required in Section 141.115. If a submitted Course Approval is denied, the Training Facility Approval for that course shall be denied.

b)         A training facility shall have adequate resources available for conducting level specific training.  Training facility requirements include:

1)         For courses at all certification levels:

A)        Classrooms with adequate environmental control and seating capacity for the anticipated student population;

B)        Multimedia projection equipment, whiteboards, chalkboards or the like;

C)        Suitable interior or exterior areas for the performance of practical evolutions;

D)        Real or simulated props for use during the performance of practical skills evolutions;

E)        Office-approved reference materials, available to both instructors and students; and

F)         Ability to provide training in effective recognition of and responses to stress, trauma and post-traumatic stress experienced by firefighters that is consistent with Section 25 of the Illinois Mental Health First Aid Training Act [405 ILCS 105/25] in a peer setting. [50 ILCS 740/8(d)].

2)         For Basic Operations Firefighter and Advanced Technician Firefighter courses:

A)        A training tower of not less than 2 stories in height;

B)        A smoke and fire room or building suitable for containing, and equipped for simulating, fire atmosphere and conditions;

C)        Forcible entry and ventilation drill facilities, including a means of providing the student an opportunity to practice opening a variety of doors, windows, roofs, floors and partitions; and

D)        Facilities for conducting live fire training (by permission and within the restrictions of applicable State and federal entities and in accordance with NFPA 1403), involving the following required scenarios:

i)          Structural fires;

ii)         Flammable liquid fires;

iii)        Liquefied petroleum or natural gas fires; and

iv)        Vehicle fires.

3)         For Confined Space Operations, Confined Space Technician, Rope Operations and Rope Technician courses:

A)        A training structure of not less than 2 stories in height, equipped with suitable engineered anchor points to be used during practical evolutions; and

B)        Documentation supporting the use and load capacity of the anchor points maintained by the training facility and available to the Division upon request.

4)         For a Structural Collapse Technician course, there shall be an area suitable for training in extensive shoring operations.

c)         A training facility shall have adequate equipment required to conduct level-specific training. Training facility equipment requirements include:

1)         For Basic Operations Firefighter and Advanced Technician Firefighter courses:

A)        A fire apparatus equipped in accordance with Chapters 5 and 6 of NFPA 1901 through December 31, 2024.  Starting on and after January 1, 2025, a fire apparatus equipped in accordance with NFPA 1900;

B)        Rope and webbing suitable for search and rescue operations in accordance with NFPA 1983 through December 31, 2024.  Starting on and after January 1, 2025, rope and webbing suitable for search and rescue operations, in accordance with NFPA 2500;

C)        Protective clothing for each student, in accordance with NFPA 1971;

D)        Approved Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and one spare cylinder for each student, in accordance with NFPA 1981, which may be supplied by the student; and

E)        Ability to replicate all learning experiences required for the level specific certification program.

2)         For Trench Operations, Trench Technician, Structural Collapse Operations, Structural Collapse Technician, Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue, Heavy Vehicle Rescue, Rope Operations, Rope Technician, Surface Water Operations and Watercraft Technician courses:

A)        Rope and webbing of assorted lengths and appropriate ancillary equipment, in accordance with NFPA 1983 through December 31, 2024.  Starting on and after January 1, 2025, rope and webbing of assorted lengths and appropriate ancillary equipment, in accordance with NFPA 2500; and

B)        Hand and power equipment to be utilized during the performance of specialized practical evolutions as specified in the relevant NFPA Standard.

3)         For Hazardous Materials Operations, Hazardous Materials Technician, Confined Space Operations and Confined Space Technician courses:

A)        Rope and webbing of assorted lengths and appropriate ancillary equipment, in accordance with NFPA 1983 through December 331, 2024, rope and webbing of assorted lengths and appropriate ancillary equipment, in accordance with NFPA 2500;

B)        Hand and powered equipment to be utilized during the performance of specialized practical evolutions;

C)        Approved Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and one spare cylinder for each student, in accordance with NFPA 1981, which may be supplied by the student; and

D)        Personal protective equipment to be utilized during the performance of specialized practical evolutions as specified in the relevant Standard.

d)         A training facility may utilize the resources of another training facility for training under this Part.

e)         Training Facility approvals will be granted on a calendar year basis.  A training facility's approval will be valid for up to 5 calendar years from the date of the initial approval in conjunction with Course Approvals (See Section 141.115).  A new application for Training Facility approval shall be submitted, utilizing the DPSE WebAccess Portal, prior to December 31 of the calendar year in which it expires. Prior to the expiration date of Training Facility Approval, the Division shall notify the training facility at one year prior and at 90 days prior of the upcoming expiration date.

f)         The Division may monitor, evaluate and review all aspects of training facilities and courses for conformance with the requirements of this Part. (See 50 ILCS 740/8 and 50 ILCS 740/11)

g)         Training facilities not meeting the requirements of this Part shall have their approvals suspended or revoked.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 10877, effective July 11, 2024)