Firefighter Basic Certificate

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The Firefighter Basic Certificate Program prepares individuals who are affiliated with a fire department to sit for the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Firefighter Basic Exam. Knowledge and skills required for fire suppression activities are the focus of this certificate.

Firefighter Basic Certificate Requirements

Curriculum: OCC 551

Program Core: 15 Credit Hours

FRS 150 - Basic Operations Firefighter 15 Credits

Total Certificate Credits: 15

For more information, visit: www.mchenry.edu/firefighter

NOTE: Individuals participating in coursework for the Firefighter Basic Certificate must be affiliated with a fire department as required by the Illinois Administrative Code, which may require meeting that department’s hiring practices. Sponsoring agency must have an equipment agreement on file with the College’s Business Service Office

Other Requirements:

Some fire science courses offered are eligible for state certification. Upon successful completion, qualified students who are engaged in an organized Illinois fire department as a fire protection person or trainee according to the Illinois Administrative Code (Chapter 85, Section 140.50a, Paragraph 521 et seq.) as attested to by the Illinois Fire Chief of the individual seeking certification may challenge the OSFM Certification Exams. Here are the courses and corresponding exams:

OSFM Exam(s)

Please note that some fire science courses offered require students to pass a criminal background check for continued enrollment in the course.

FRS 150 - Basic Operations Firefighter 15 Credits
FRS 222 - Fire Service Instructor I 3 Credits
FRS 252 - Haz-Mat First Responder-Operations 3 Credits
FRS 253 - Fire Apparatus Engineer 3 Credits

Other Certificate Graduation Requirements:

2.0 minimum cumulative GPA at MCC upon completion of program
For certificates of less than 12 credit hours, all required credits must be completed through MCC coursework. For all other certificates, one-half of the minimum credit hours required must be completed through MCC coursework.
Completion of graduation application

For more information, contact the department chair: (815) 455-8565.