Training Division

The Joliet Fire Department Training Division is dedicated to developing and maintaining the highest level of readiness among our firefighters and officers. Led by Battalion Chief Victor Stachelski, the division coordinates individual, company, multi‑company, and department‑wide training programs, ensuring every member receives the education and practical experience needed to serve the community safely and effectively. The division also maintains comprehensive training and certification records for all personnel.

Meeting State and National Standards

The Joliet Fire Department adheres to training requirements established by multiple governing bodies, including the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Insurance Services Office (ISO), Secretary of State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Will‑Grundy Emergency Medical Services System.

To maintain compliance, firefighters participate in more than 30 hours of mandatory monthly training. This ongoing education includes classroom instruction, hands‑on learning, and task‑specific evaluations. Specialized certifications often require additional hours beyond the monthly minimum, along with city‑required or department‑mandated training.

Advanced Certification Opportunities

Illinois offers more than 40 firefighting certifications beyond Basic Operations Firefighter. Many require 40 to 120 hours of classroom and practical work, while some specialized courses exceed 200 hours. The Chief Fire Officer Blended Course—Illinois’s highest‑level Chief Fire Officer certification—requires 340 hours to complete. Joliet Fire Department members hold a wide range of these advanced credentials, and our department is certified to teach more than 15 of these courses.

Annual Training Activities

Our annual training meets or exceeds standards set by state and federal agencies. Key components include:

• Fire apparatus driving
• Portable fire extinguisher use
• SCBA (self‑contained breathing apparatus) training
• Forcible entry
• Incident Command System education
• Live‑fire scenarios at state‑approved facilities 

The Joliet Fire Department is committed to surpassing minimum requirements and ensuring personnel stay informed, prepared, and capable of providing top‑tier emergency response to the citizens of Joliet. 

Return of the Joliet Fire Department Recruit Academy

The Joliet Fire Department proudly announced the return of its Recruit Academy in 2025, reinstating a long-standing tradition of training new firefighters within our own organization. For many years, the department hosted a comprehensive Firefighting Academy for Joliet recruits as well as recruits from neighboring departments. However, due to budget constraints in 2008, the academy was discontinued, and new hires were sent to accredited regional fire academies.

The reinstated Recruit Academy is a 10-week program taught entirely by Joliet Fire Department members. This structure gives recruits the invaluable opportunity to learn directly from the firefighters they will soon work alongside. Throughout these 10 weeks, recruits interact with instructors daily, gaining insight, building confidence, and forming relationships that support their growth. At the same time, instructors get to know each recruit individually to identifying strengths, addressing challenges, and helping shape well‑rounded, capable firefighters.