Section 141.344  Hazardous Materials Operations

a)         An Illinois Hazardous Materials Operations certification shall meet or exceed the qualifications identified in NFPA 470.

b)         Prerequisites

1)         Engagement as Illinois fire protection personnel, as attested by the employing fire chief of the candidate seeking certification; 

2)         Current certification as Basic Operations Firefighter;

3)         Successful completion of a Hazardous Materials Operations course including the Hazardous Materials Awareness level JPRs consisting of a minimum of 40 instructional hours;

4)         Passage of the State Written and Practical Examinations; and

5)         Application for Certification.

c)         Training documentation shall be maintained in the fire service personnel's training records at the employing fire department.

d)        A qualified instructor for this level must be certified as Fire Service Instructor I and Hazardous Materials Operations. There shall be at least one instructor for every 6 students during State Practical Examination evolutions.

e)         Fire department or individual reimbursement may be available for training costs for Hazardous Materials Operations as provided in Subpart E.

f)         The course as set forth in Section 141.115 and the training facility as set forth in Section 141.100 must be approved by the Division.

g)         Credit for an equivalent course will be approved by the Division when the equivalent course meets the requirements of Section 141.120.

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