Fire Science and Safety Program Admissions

Basic Operations Firefighter (BOF) Admissions Process

Certificate Program

The Basic Vocational Specialist (BVS) BOF certificate program requires a student to hold an Illinois driver's license.

To join the BOF BVS certificate program, students must comply with OSFM Illinois Administrative Code 141.300-a:

• Provide protective clothing and an SCBA compliant with the National Fire Protection Association. 
  (NFPA) standards.
• Be clean-shaven.
• Undergo and pass a background check and a drug test.
• You must undergo and pass a physical examination. Alternatively, you may submit a signed letter from your primary care physician or specialist confirming you’re physically fit to participate.

Before starting the BOF BVS certificate program, a student must:

1. Complete and submit all paperwork ECC’s Emergency Services department requires, including the BOF Sponsorship Form.
2. Receive approval from the Senior Director of Academic Programming & Public Safety Training.

Active AAS degree program firefighters can earn the BOF BVS certificate by selecting the appropriate elective courses within the program.

Active (Current) ECC Students

1. Complete Section I of the Basic Operations Firefighter (BOF) Sponsorship Form.
2. Ask your employer’s fire chief to complete Section II of the BOF Sponsorship Form.
3. Submit your completed BOF Sponsorship Form to the following address:

ECC Center for Emergency Services
ATTN: Ron Two Bulls, Senior Director of Academic Programming & Public Safety Training
815 East Plank Road
Burlington, IL 60109

New or Inactive* ECC Students

1. Complete and submit an ECC Application for Admission; choose “Basic Operations Firefighter” as your program of study.
   You will receive an email at your ECC student address with the next steps. It will include instructions for completing Section I of the BOF Sponsorship Form and other program requirements
2. Complete Section I of the BOF Sponsorship Form.
3. Ask your employer’s fire chief to complete Section II of the BOF Sponsorship Form.
4. Submit your completed BOF Sponsorship Form to the following address.

ECC Center for Emergency Services
ATTN: Ron Two Bulls, Senior Director of Academic Programming & Public Safety Training
815 East Plank Road
Burlington, IL 60109

If Ron Two Bulls approves your form, a confirmation email will be sent to your ECC student email address shortly after. This approval allows you to enroll in the courses listed below. Enrolling in non-credit courses is cheaper if you reside outside ECC’s district. Non-credit course enrollment allows OSFM certification eligibility, but you won’t earn college credits or receive a BVS BOF certificate.

Meet with your academic advisor and visit the Registration & Records office to add the BOF program to your profile. Please contact the Emergency Services Program Coordinator to schedule an appointment and address any questions.

Transfer Options

Transfer Options for AAS in Fire Science and Safety

• Transfer Services

Forms

• Basic Operations Firefighter Sponsorship Form - PDF
  The Basic Operations Firefighters (BOF) BVS program requires active engagement in firefighting. You must be a member of an organized Illinois fire department or Fire Brigade. Additionally, you must be employed by a fire department with proper sponsorship, insurance coverage, and hold an Illinois State Driver’s License.