Colonel Royal P. Mortenson has been appointed by the Board of Trustees to lead the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI). He will join IFSI on August 1, 2012 and take over as Director upon the retirement of current Director Richard Jaehne at the end of August.
Colonel Mortenson is retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps after 29 years of service to lead IFSI. He currently is Director of the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, where he oversees a master’s degree granting program for U.S and international al military officers.
Prior to that, Colonel Mortenson served as Chief of Staff for the Commanding General Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, which oversees all research, development and education for the Marine Corps. From July 2009 through April 2011, Colonel Mortenson was assigned to the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., where he served as the Central Asia/South Asia Division Chief in the Asia Directorate. Prior to this assignment, he was the Commanding Officer of The Basic School, which is the entry officer training program for all U.S. Marine Corps officers.
Colonel Mortenson has a long and distinguished career in the military. In December 2001, Colonel Mortenson assumed command of the 2nd battalion, 8th Marines. During his command tour, the battalion deployed and participated in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Colonel Mortenson’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with gold star in lieu of second award, the Bronze Star with (V) and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Colonel Mortenson is a Chicago native, with family still in the area. He is married and has three children.
The Illinois Fire Service Institute is the statutory fire academy for the state of Illinois. In addition to training provided at the Champaign campus, the Institute offers DHS grant-approved technical rescue, HAZMAT and NIMS training, hands-on fire officer training, online classes and conducts training throughout the state at Regional Training Centers and local fire stations. 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 217-333-8921.
