Section 141.356  Trench Technician

a)         An Illinois Trench Technician certification shall meet or exceed the qualifications identified in NFPA 1006.

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 Trench Operations;

3)         Successful completion of a Trench Technician course consisting of a minimum of 32 instructional hours;

4)         Passage of the State Written and Practical Examinations.  State Practical Examinations shall include participation as a rescue team member in at least one live trench scenario; 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 II and Trench Technician.  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 Trench Technician 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 47 Ill. Reg. 424, effective January 1, 2023)