Welcome to the website of the Southwest United Fire Districts. SUFD is a regional cooperative full service fire academy serving the areas fire service training needs with the support of the Darien-Woodridge and Pleasantview Fire Protection Districts.

SUFD is pledged to provide progressive, innovative and high quality training programs that meet the present and future needs of our member districts and academy students. SUFD prides itself on its professional development programs which model continuing education for firefighters, apparatus operators, officers and special operations members. As the first licensed Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) center in Illinois, SUFD takes an full service approach to all dimensions of fire service professional development.

Sign-up for our email newsletter by adding your name and email address. We'll keep you updated on our programs.

Please use this website to view our programs, obtain registration information and learn more about how SUFD can help you train your firefighters. We view all programs and courses as true partnerships with your department and hope to work with you soon.

 
 

WEATHER UPDATES
   
Currently, there are no weather related cancellations or delays.  Drive safely and defensively!! 


 
2009 Academy Registration Form
   
SUFD is pleased to release the schedule of classes for the 2009 fire training academy.  Full registration form is available now for you to begin registering for your 2009 training courses.  We are proud of the professional reputation we have achieved and appreciate the support of all of our training partners.

SUFD prides itself on quality training, realistic and real-life applications and a professional staff of the best instructors in the state!  We offer a complete line of entry level to officer level to special operations teams courses instructed at the best facilties in the area.  Over 1000 students passed through the SUFD academy in 2008 and we look forward to seeing you in the upcoming year.


 
New Engine Ready to Serve!
   
SUFD is very proud to place into service our latest addition to our dedicated fleet of academy apparatus.  We are thankful to the Rosemont Fire Department for their donation of this 1994 E-One 1500gpm engine which was placed into service with us in early March.

Engine 1 stands fully equipped for all fire suppression courses and is outfitted with complete NFPA 1901 equipment.  A 85' Snorkel also donated from the Rosemont FD will soon join the fleet in early May.  This gives SUFD an Engine, Truck and Heavy Rescue fleet for support of all of our training courses.


 
Vehicle and Machinery Technician
   
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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The April 27-May 1 VMT course has been moved to June 22-26.  This popular course includes extensive coverage of heavy machinery, bus and truck extrication and advance rescue techniques for autos.  SUFD was proud to be one of the first to pilot this certification level training when it became available.


 
Rescue Training
Rescue training courses are a specialty of the SUFD fire academy.  We offer a full-line of certification and professional development courses that feature training with the best props and expert instructors.  Some of the classes offered for 2009 include:

  • Technical Rescue Awareness
  • Rope Rescue
  • High Angle Rope Rescue
  • Water Rescue Operations
  • Watercraft Technician
  • Confined Space Technician
  • Trench Rescue Operations
  • Vehicle Machinery Operations
  • Vehicle Machinery Technician
  • Surface Ice Rescue
All courses are correlated to current NFPA 1006 and 1670 JPR's and objectives.  Students are required to meet pre-requisites prior to attending some courses and will be required to bring specialized equipment to some classes.  Check our fire training academy page for complete course listing information.


 
VMT 2008
   VMT 2008
Confined Space Training
   Confined Space Training
Officer Training Courses
   
The company officer is the one of the most important pieces of the puzzle relating to firefighter safety and survival and good service delivery. Many certifications may exist for officers in training but few programs exist that provide true "continuing education" for fire officers.

The SUFD Officer Development Program was developed based on this concept. You can select any or all of our 8 hour stand-alone workshops or select our 40 hour Bootcamp to increase your ability to do your job as a fire officer.

8 hour workshop titles are:

  • Officer Responsibility for FF Safety
  • Multi-Company Operations
  • Middle Management Workshop
  • First-in Company Officer Decision Making
  • Building Construction and Fire Behavior
Students will enjoy interactive training sessions conducted by experienced fire officers who will provide valuable insight into the challenges of todays fire service. Breakfast and lunch will be included in the registration along with all course materials.

By selecting at least 16 hours in this program or by attending the entire Bootcamp, an officer can meet the Insurance Service Office (ISO) requirements for annual officer training. Challenge yourself by attending this program and learn how to better do your job as an officer.

A 40-hour Company Officer Bootcamp and 24-hour Incident Commander Bootcamp are available in 2009!


 
CPAT - STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO GET YOUR CPAT CARD
Ladder Throw and Raise
   Ladder Throw and Raise
SUFD's CPAT Division offers candidates who are interested in obtaining a CPAT Validation card instructions on how to go through the CPAT process. SUFD is one of two licensed CPAT adminstration centers in IL and schedules both open testing for those who wish to obtain cards on their own and contract programs for fire departments who desire to test all it's candidates at one time.

 
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