Illinois Fire Training: 2027 Chief Officer Course Registration Open

Springfield, IL – Illinois fire service professionals looking to advance into senior leadership positions can now register for a 2027 Chief Fire Officer course, with two training locations available in northern and central Illinois.

According to an announcement shared by the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors is offering its Chief Fire Officer, or CFO, blended course through Elgin Community College and the Bloomington Fire Department.

The organization describes the program as the highest level of Chief Fire Officer certification training in Illinois. The course replaces Fire Officer III and is designed to meet applicable National Fire Protection Association standards for Fire Officer III and IV.

Training is intended for fire officers currently working at, or preparing to work at, the level of chief fire officer and senior leader. Topics include leadership, professional development, human resources, legal issues, budgeting and finance, strategic planning, risk reduction and emergency management.

The program includes more than 400 hours of material divided into multiple phases. Phase I uses an online learning management system, while Phase II includes in-person classroom instruction one day each month. Students also complete independent taskbook work.

Orientation for the Elgin-area section is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elgin Community College Public Safety Campus, 815 E. Plank Road in Burlington.

The Bloomington section will hold orientation Thursday, Dec. 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bloomington Fire Department Station 6, 4040 E. Oakland Ave.

Tuition is listed at $4,000, including educational materials. Organizers said seats remain available and registration information is available through the Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors.