IFSI’s Joe Drennan Named Instructor of the Month

The University of Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) recognizes instructors who exemplify quality instruction, student engagement, professional demeanor and knowledge base. Joe Drennan is IFSI’s February Instructor of the Month.

Joe joined IFSI in 1988, first as an instructor, then field staff, and later as Program Manager for Vehicle Rescue classes. He has taught more than 3700 hours for IFSI and is best known for teaching vehicle and machinery rescue classes. Joe is rated to teach 29 different classes for IFSI. Each year, Joe can be seen at the Illinois State Fair doing vehicle rescue demonstrations outside the Illinois Fire Service tent.

Joe began his fire service career in 1973 as a volunteer for the North Palos Fire Protection District. He moved to Oakbrook Fire Department in 1974 and later to the Chicago Fire Department in 1980. When he retired from the Chicago Fire Department in 2009, he retired as a Battalion Chief.

The Illinois Fire Service Institute is the statutory State Fire Academy for Illinois. In addition to training provided at its Champaign campus, the Institute offers one-day hands-on classes for fire departments at Regional Training Centers and local fire stations across the State.  The mission of the Illinois Fire Service Institute is to help firefighters do their work through training, education, information and research.

For more information about the Institute, call 217-333-3800.