Firefighter Basic Operations Certificate - Career Certificate

Become a firefighter

Fight fires safely

Get to work protecting the people and property in your community. With a Firefighter Basic Operations Certificate, you get the training you need to quickly begin your firefighting career.

This streamlined path includes three semesters of focused learning to prepare you to become a first responder. By completing this certificate, you qualify to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.

What can you do with a Certificate in Firefighter Basic Operations?

With this certificate, you are prepared for an entry level position in fire science. If you choose to continue your education, the courses you take for this certificate apply toward the Firefighter Basic Operations A.A.S.

CLC will provide students their own personal protective safety equipment. This equipment consists of:
- firefighter turnouts (coat and pants)
- firefighting footwear
- suspenders
- gloves
- hood
- safety glasses
- fire helmet
- self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) piece that mates to CLC-provided SCBA
All equipment must comply with current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
All students must:
- have a valid NFPA 1001 medical physical
- have a current background investigation
- consult with a Fire Science Technology Advisor to plan and schedule their program
- agree to become a member of the fire department the College assigns them to
- provide your schedule for staffing in your assigned fire department
Students must apply to the department chair in December each year and go through a process to gain admission to this program. Approval requires completion of the firefighter basic operations application and proof of a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test.

Highlights

State Certifications

Earn state certifications upon course completion.
Top-Notch Facilities

Gain practical skills on campus and at the Grayslake Fire Station.
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 1.5 Years

Full-time students can complete in 1.5 years.

Career Outlook

Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $45,245
  
  Median
  
  $73,244
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $127,930
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $21.74
  
  Median
  
  $35.21
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $61.50
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  29.44%
  
  Certificate
  
  27.49%
  
  Some college
  
  26.01%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  12.82%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  2.19%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  2.04%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $39,466
  
  Median
  
  $89,806
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $118,998
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.97
  
  Median
  
  $43.18
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $57.20
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  45.25%
  
  Certificate
  
  24.6%
  
  Some college
  
  19.5%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  7.15%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  0.43%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  2.96%
  
  Doctorate
  
  0.1%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $77,060
  
  Median
  
  $128,206
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $195,839
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $37.04
  
  Median
  
  $61.63
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $94.15
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  32.3%
  
  Certificate
  
  18.72%
  
  Some college
  
  11.76%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  23.84%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  13.24%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  0.02%
  
  Doctorate
  
  0.12%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $37,698
  
  Median
  
  $58,329
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $100,747
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.12
  
  Median
  
  $28.03
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $48.43
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  31.63%
  
  Certificate
  
  8.92%
  
  Some college
  
  17.52%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  17.9%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  24.03%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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choose an academic program
enroll in first-semester classes
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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
CLC 120	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.	2
FST 111	FST 111 Introduction to Fire Service Class Description This course provides an overview of fire protection and emergency services, career opportunities in fire protection and related fields. This course further address topics including the culture and history of emergency services, fire loss analysis, along with the organization and function of public and private fire protection services. Additional insight will be provided on the topics of fire departments as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting the fire service, fire service nomenclature, and specific fire protection functions. Other topics will include basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, introduction to fire strategy and tactics, and life safety initiatives. Note: Individuals with greater than one year firefighter experience are not eligible for credit.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CLC 120
Course Title	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	FST 111
Course Title	FST 111 Introduction to Fire Service Class Description This course provides an overview of fire protection and emergency services, career opportunities in fire protection and related fields. This course further address topics including the culture and history of emergency services, fire loss analysis, along with the organization and function of public and private fire protection services. Additional insight will be provided on the topics of fire departments as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting the fire service, fire service nomenclature, and specific fire protection functions. Other topics will include basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, introduction to fire strategy and tactics, and life safety initiatives. Note: Individuals with greater than one year firefighter experience are not eligible for credit.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
FST 130	FST 130 Basic Operations Firefighter A Class Description This course focuses on the organization and structure of a fire agency, fire behavior, building construction, safety issues in the fire service, communication procedures and practices, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing agents, and ropes and knots. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will become active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the first of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.	4
FST 192	FST 192 Hazardous Materials Operations Class Description This course is designed for firefighters and other persons who might encounter Hazardous Materials in the course of their occupations. This course will stress identification, site entry, isolations, evacuation, use of Hazardous Safety Data sheets, and how to obtain assistance at the hazardous materials scene. Practical applications and hands-on experiences are required for this course. The course is designed to meet the requirements of Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness, and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations, of the Office of the State Fire Marshal Certification, OSHA 29 CFR 1910, and NFPA 472.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	FST 130
Course Title	FST 130 Basic Operations Firefighter A Class Description This course focuses on the organization and structure of a fire agency, fire behavior, building construction, safety issues in the fire service, communication procedures and practices, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing agents, and ropes and knots. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will become active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the first of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	FST 192
Course Title	FST 192 Hazardous Materials Operations Class Description This course is designed for firefighters and other persons who might encounter Hazardous Materials in the course of their occupations. This course will stress identification, site entry, isolations, evacuation, use of Hazardous Safety Data sheets, and how to obtain assistance at the hazardous materials scene. Practical applications and hands-on experiences are required for this course. The course is designed to meet the requirements of Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness, and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations, of the Office of the State Fire Marshal Certification, OSHA 29 CFR 1910, and NFPA 472.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
FST 131	FST 131 Basic Operations Firefighter B Class Description This course focuses on fire service ladders, hose and related appliances, nozzles and streams, water supply, forcible entry and ventilation. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will be active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the second of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.	4
FST 132	FST 132 Basic Operations Firefighter C Class Description This course focuses on search and rescue, fire control, loss control, protecting evidence, fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems, prevention techniques, public education, wild land and ground cover firefighting, and firefighter safety and survival. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will be active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the third of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	FST 131
Course Title	FST 131 Basic Operations Firefighter B Class Description This course focuses on fire service ladders, hose and related appliances, nozzles and streams, water supply, forcible entry and ventilation. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will be active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the second of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.
Credits	4

Course Highlights
Course Code	FST 132
Course Title	FST 132 Basic Operations Firefighter C Class Description This course focuses on search and rescue, fire control, loss control, protecting evidence, fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems, prevention techniques, public education, wild land and ground cover firefighting, and firefighter safety and survival. The course will include weekly lectures and lab sessions that focus on developing and enhancing practical skills. Students enrolled in this course will be active members of an assigned fire department. NOTE: This is the third of three courses that prepares students to sit for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighters certification examination.
Credits	4

Total Credit Hours

20

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Fire Science Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Learn about courses, faculty, related programs and more.

View the Fire Science Technology Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

This is a cornerstone program at CLC, started as the only one of its kind offered in Illinois. The program has since become a model for its effectiveness and ability to meet the needs and demands of becoming a firefighter in Illinois.
Your other benefits include:
- 95% placement rate of our students after graduation
- highly qualified instructors passionate about training and student success
- stellar equipment and training facilities donated by former CLC graduates who are now chiefs
Skills you learn in the program include:
- search and rescue, fire control, loss control, fire detection and suppression, and safety
- how to identify and handle hazardous materials
- how to safely use fire service ladders, hoses, nozzles, streams, water supply and ventilation
- emergency management and fire loss analysis
CLC provides students with the PPE for the Fire Basic Operations (FBO) program.
You’ll learn in person. Gain practical skills on campus and at the Grayslake Fire Station. Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
This program prepares you to take the Illinois professional licensure exam. When you pass the exam, you can work as firefighter in the state of Illinois.

You may be able to work elsewhere with this certificate.

View professional licensure disclosures

Joshua Cardin
Graduate
“While I was in the Coast Guard, I’d take a class here or there online with other colleges. None of them hold a candle to CLC. It’s unbelievable how far the college is looking forward and how many opportunities are available for the people of Lake County.”
Joshua studied Fire Science Technology at CLC after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. He now works as a firefighter and is studying Emergency Medical Technology to also become a paramedic.
Read Joshua's story

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Firefighter Basic Operations

Become a firefighter

Fight fires safely

What can you do with a Certificate in Firefighter Basic Operations?

Admission: More needed

Highlights

State Certifications

Top-Notch Facilities

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1.5 Years

Career Outlook

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Firefighters

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 5 Credits

Semester 2 7 Credits

Semester 3 8 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Fire Science Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

Why study Firefighter Basic Operations at CLC?

What skills will I learn?

How much does the required PPE cost and where do I find it?

Where are my classes?

Where can I work as a firefighter?

Joshua Cardin

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Be debt-free at CLC

Request info

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