Ignite your career in emergency services with a degree or certification from ECC.
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/student-with-officer.jpg)
Gain the skills that prepare you to protect and serve your community
A career in emergency services isn’t just about hard work—it’s about teamwork, adrenaline, and knowing that every day, you’re helping others when they need it most. ECC offers exceptional specialized training close to home. Programs are designed to prepare you for in-demand local careers with the essential skills to thrive anywhere.
Hands-on training in a controlled environment will teach you how firefighters coordinate efforts to suppress fires, how paramedics and law enforcement communicate seamlessly to navigate complex scenarios, how 911 operators relay critical information to first responders, and much more.
Our programs also focus on the collaborative skills needed in law enforcement to manage crime scenes and de-escalate dangerous situations. By developing the ability to communicate under stress and work cohesively as part of a team, you’ll gain the confidence and expertise to excel in public safety roles and protect your community with precision and professionalism.
Explore our programs below:
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/tactical-unit.jpg)
Take your career to the next level with advanced training at ECC
The Advanced Training programs at ECC ensure your team is prepared to handle any emergency. From earning an advanced certification to completing Fire Officer or Leadership training, advanced training programs are designed for wherever you’re at in your career.
ECC offers a wide range of specialized training programs to choose from. Expand your expertise in critical areas like public fire and life safety education, rope rescue operations, passenger vehicle rescue, emergency operations, incident command, and crisis management. These specialized courses will equip you with the knowledge and tools to excel in your career and protect your community more effectively.
You will gain the essential skills needed through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on simulations, ensuring they are fully prepared to meet key objectives in the field. With courses available on-site, remote, and in hybrid formats, programs are designed to maximize convenience and provide ultimate flexibility.
Programs Include:
- Advanced Technician Firefighter (ATF)
- Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE)
- Hazardous Materials Technician (HMT)
- Public Fire and Life Safety Educator (PFLSE)
- Rope Rescue Operations (RRO)
- Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue
- Company Fire Officer (COFO)
- Advanced Fire Officer (ADFO)
- Incident Command Essentials
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/burn-tower-escape.jpg)
Cutting-Edge Training Environments for Real-World Preparedness
Elgin Community College’s Center for Emergency Services is designed to simulate real-world scenarios in a safe environment. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including fire towers, rescue simulators, and specialized classrooms. [EXPAND, include something about close partnerships with local municipalities, programs tailored for in-demand local careers]
- Burn Tower (Building BD)
- Apparatus (Building BB)
- Modern Facilities
- State-of-the-Art Classrooms (Building BA)
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/firefighters-in-gear.jpg)
Real-world training, real-world impact.
Elevating Public Service Excellence Through Tailored Training
ECC offers training for various career opportunities in emergency services and public safety. Whether you earn an associate degree in Fire Science & Safety or certification across multiple emergency services fields, you’ll participate in realistic emergency scenarios and gain hands-on experience with various tools, equipment, and techniques used in public safety and emergency response. In ECC’s state-of-the-art training facilities, you'll practice responding to critical situations in a controlled setting, helping you develop the essential skills needed for a successful career in firefighting, emergency medical services, or law enforcement. ECC also offers a range of advanced training programs for those already in a public service role. Our training programs are tailored to meet the specific requirements of your municipality and agency standards, all while strengthening the abilities of your public service team. From training for first responders to leadership and administrative staff, enhance your team’s skills and ensure your municipality is fully equipped to address the unique needs of your community.
What We Can Do For You
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/taking-exam.jpg)
Education for Everyone
ECC offers diverse continuing education programs designed to meet personal and professional developm
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/ambulance.jpg)
CES Open House
Join us at ECC’s Center for Emergency Services for a free community open house and touch-a-truck event!
Proven Success in Training First Responders
Growth in overall enrollment since 2023.
Adjunct faculty actively serving in emergency services.
Partnerships with fire departments across northern Illinois.
Overall success rate for ECC Fire Science and Safety students.
Student Stories
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/leah-murphy.jpg)
“I believe in this unique career, it is up to us to place ourselves in a position to be as prepared as possible and to have a relentless approach to never stop learning, training, and pushing yourself to be better so when the time comes to use what you have learned, you do not fall short.„
Cade Steichen
Fire Academy
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/kimberly-carreto-duran.jpg)
“As a first-generation Mexican-American student, entering higher education terrified me. It brought up a lot of self-doubt, but at the same time, I knew this was what I wanted to do.„
Kimberly Carreto-Duran
Criminal Justice
/prod01/cdn-pxl-elginedu-prod/media/website/emergency-services-site-assets/images/leah-murphy.jpg)
“Since I already [went to college], at first it felt like a step backwards to come back to school and I was on the fence for a long time on deciding to enroll in the EMT program...But I knew I've been through it [before] so I can put my head down and do it again.„