Champaign Fire Academy students complete firefighting training portion after weeks of live-fire and large-scale emergency drills
By Lana Stone
Champaign, IL – The City of Champaign Fire Department announced that students in the Champaign Fire Academy have completed the firefighting portion of their training program following six weeks of hands-on instruction and emergency response exercises.
According to department officials, academy students recently completed seven coordinated fire attack scenarios designed to simulate real-world firefighting operations at full operational pace.
Students also participated in a large-scale final practical exam that mirrored a major emergency incident, requiring them to apply the skills and techniques learned throughout the training program.
Officials said academy participants will now transition into Hazardous Materials Operations and Auto Extrication courses during the next phase of training.
The department also announced that enrollment is now open for the Fall 2026 academy session, which is scheduled to run from Oct. 5 through Dec. 4.
