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The Bradley Fire Department hosted the MABAS
7 fire academy from 2000-2007. The academy was established in
1999 by a group of dedicated fire instructors that wanted to
organize training between all the local departments. Fire departments
as far north as Will County and as far south as Iroquois County
participate in the academy. Participants of the academy, called
candidates, come from career, paid-on-call (POC) and volunteer
departments. The academy takes place every year from January
to June. During these six months the candidates meet twice a
week for classroom time. They also give up many Saturdays for
practicals (this is when the candidate learns hands on skills
needed for firefighting). Candidates learn all aspects of basic
firefighting in a military-type atmosphere that promotes respect
and learning. The academy is taught by local instructors with
years of knowledge and experience to share. Past academy graduates,
called angels, help candidates with practicals and tutoring if
they need it. The academy also does joint training with the Illinois
Fire Service Institute (IFSI) every spring in Champaign, Illinois.
Also experienced at IFSI is a fire behavior class in which the
candidates learn how to ‘read’ a
fire. The class teaches candidates the different phases of fires
and how to tell when a fire is too dangerous to enter. Candidates
also learn how to “rescue their own” during hands on
training. Each firefighter has to learn how to rescue fellow firefighters,
along with citizens that are trapped. These trainings are physically
and mentally exhausting, but exciting. At the end of the academy
most students have passed the Illinois State Fire Marshall exam
for firefighter II. The proud candidates receive their certificate
at their graduation ceremony following the academy.
A special thanks to Capt. Greg Glidewell, Lieut. John Dunlavey,
and FF Roger Sipple, directors of the MABAS 7 Fire Academy and
to all the instructors and angels that make the academy possible
each year.
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An IFSI instructor giving instructions.
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Candidates on the third floor of the tower.
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Candidates practice for sitiuations in
which they have to untangle themselves.
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Candidates practice in real fire conditions.
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Candidates practice putting on a SCBA in darkened conditions.
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Candidates practice using foam.
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Candidates using SCBAs.
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IFSI allows the candidates to extinguish
an LPG fire.
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The single family
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The taxpayer
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The tower
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Fire Academy '03 Academy Graduation.
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Classroom
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