How to Become a Firefighter in Illinois – Top Firefighting Schools in Illinois
Many people dream of becoming a firefighter, but very few of them have what it takes to turn that dream into a reality. A firefighter is always on toes, ready to jump into action. Disasters can strike at any moment, and we depend on these brave men and women who are prepared to put their lives at stake to save ours. That is the reason why a firefighter must be courageous, selfless, alert, quick thinker and physically fit.
Given the dangerous and sensitive nature of this job, it is only logical that fire departments across the nation want to hire optimal candidates only. The nature of the hazards experienced in the area also has a profound effect on the selection process as well. As reported by the U.S. Fire Administration, there were 3.1 deaths and 13.4 injuries in 1,000 fires of Illinois, in 2016 alone.
These are harrowing figures when you put them against the national average of 2.4 deaths and 9.3 injuries. So, the selection process in states like Illinois is slightly tougher than others. But if you are looking to become a firefighter in Illinois, then worry not because we have prepared a roadmap for you.
Firefighter Requirements in Illinois
To become a firefighter in Illinois, you must meet the below-mentioned requirements:
- Minimum age at the time of application is 20 years, and 21 years at the time of appointment
- Candidates older than 34 years may not be considered, given the demanding nature of the job
- A high school diploma or G.E.D.
- A valid driver’s license
- Physical fitness is a must including 20/20 eyesight and an impressive CPET (Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing) score
- S. citizenship at the time of application
- In Illinois, it is mandatory to have an EMT-P (Emergency Medical Training – Paramedics) certification before applying for a firefighting job. Also, the number of required certifications might increase, based on the fire department.
Firefighter Training in Illinois
While it is by no means essential for a candidate to receive formal training to become a firefighter, the ones who do, however, hold a competitive advantage over others in their career. There are many institutions throughout the state of Illinois that offer various fire science courses. These courses are designed to give equal weight to both classroom and physical training.
The classroom lectures offer knowledge about various fire safety regulations and codes, basic fire chemistry and biology, how to handle hazardous material, safety tactics, etc. On the other hand, physical training sessions include demo fire drills to give trainees a close encounter with the real deal and teach them how to behave in the event of an actual fire. Students are also taught how to use various firefighting tools like ladders, axes, and hoses.
The schools in Illinois offer several courses in firefighting. An Associate’s degree is usually two years long and gives its students a prolonged exposure to the study material and training, thus turning them into proper professionals. Whereas, a certificate course, what you might call a crash course, gives students the basic knowledge of fire science field.
There are many other job opportunities as well for people opting for fire science as a career other than becoming a firefighter. People can opt for managerial jobs or can become fire inspectors and investigators. A Master’s degree in fire science is also likely to help you climb up the job ladder. If research and being surrounded by books is what you crave, then you can also undertake a Ph.D. in fire science.
Top firefighting schools in Illinois
If you want to receive formal training and get a fire science degree before you apply for a job, then below the top firefighter training academies in Illinois you can choose from:
| Name | Tuition Fee and Population | Course | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Washington College – Chicago | Natives: $6,060 Non-Natives: $7,491 Population: 13,699 | Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| College of DuPage – Glen Ellyn | Natives: $9,930 Non-Natives: $12,030 Population: 47,219 | Certificate in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| College of Lake County – Grayslake | Natives: $7,154 Non-Natives: $9,646 Population: 28,102 | Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| Danville Area Community College – Danville | Natives: $5,700 Non-Natives: $5,700 Population: 9,171 | Certificate in Fire Science Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| Elgin Community College – Elgin | Natives: $9,144 Non-Natives: $11,952 Population: 17,037 | Certificate in Fire Science Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| Frontier Community College – Fairfield | Natives: $8,589 Non-Natives: $10,580 Population: 7,860 | Certificate in Fire Science Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| Illinois Central College – East Peoria | Natives: $8,100 Non-Natives: $9,300 Population: 16,085 | Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| John A Logan College – Carterville | Natives: $8,077 Non-Natives: $9,630 Population: 17,063 | Certificate in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| John Wood Community College – Quincy | Natives: $7,170 Non-Natives: $7,170 Population: 3,054 | Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| Joliet Junior College – Joliet | Natives: $8,439 Non-Natives: $9,076 Population: 25,969 | Certificate in Fire Science Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
| Lake Land College – Mattoon | Natives: $6,598 Non-Natives: $12,400 Population: 24,961 | Associate’s in Fire Science | Online/Campus |
Firefighter Salary in Illinois
Illinois firefighters get paid an average salary of $54,270 and an hourly wage of $26.09. However, there are various other factors too that influence a fireman’s income.
| Level | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | $9.24 | $19,210 |
| Juniors | $14.50 | $30,160 |
| Experienced | $26.09 | $54,270 |
| Seniors | $38.61 | $80,300 |
| Top-level | $46.42 | $96,550 |
Source: Career Explorer
Firefighter Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is the fifth largest employer of firefighters in the nation. According to Illinois Fire Service Institute, there around 1,081 fire stations across the state of Illinois, employing 17,000 firefighters and over 300 fire inspectors. At first, one might think that there are enough jobs to go around, but when you analyze, fire protection is a very competitive job market.
