CPFTA Curriculum

This course covers topics such as:

• History of the Chicago Fire Department
• Fire alarms, responses, fire behavior, fire terminology
• Chicago Fire Department current practices and procedures
• Organization structure
• Standard operating procedures and chain of command
• Roles of a firefighter
• Organization of a fire station
• Incident management roles
• Development and evolution of fire science
• Sources of heat and heat transfer
• Physical training (up and overs, sit-ups, push-ups, running)
• Soft skills and employment possibilities
• Team building activities
• CPR and FIRST AID certification

This course covers topics including:

• Origins and development of law enforcement in the United States
• History of the Chicago Police Department
• Role of the preliminary investigator (police officer)
• Organizational matrix and chain of command
• Conflict resolution and self-defense techniques
• Report writing and computer technology in law enforcement
• Radio communications
• Guest speakers from Chicago Police Department specialized units and other law enforcement agencies
• Arrest, searching, evidence collection and interrogation
• Courtroom preparation and professionalism
• Physical fitness training and the Law Enforcement Power Test of Illinois
• Soft skills and employment possibilities
• Team building and community service activities
• The use of computer technology to solve crime

Every five days, one teen is killed on the job. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety, there are about 70 work-related fatalities per year among this youth population. More than 200,000 young workers are injured on the job, and 70,000 of them require emergency room or hospital treatment. Further, youth workers continue to have the highest rates of work-related deaths and injuries. Illnesses among teens easily double. and in some cases triple, that for any other age category.

The goal of the CareerSafe program is to teach young workers how to stay safe in the workplace and begin to prepare them for a safe and prosperous future in their chosen career. By providing entry-level workers, particularly high school and college students, with fundamental safety knowledge needed in the workplace, this program brings the significance of safety to the forefront.

Additionally, it seeks to challenge society to affirm the value of life by joining efforts to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities suffered by this at risk working population. This makes our cadets more marketable and employable.

• Cyber Safety was developed in response to an ever-growing cyberspace presence of youth and young adults. Cyberspace and technology have made it easier than ever to stay connected and share information. Youth and young adults lead the way in adopting new technologies into their lifestyles which makes them especially at risk of exposure to new vulnerabilities and dangers.
• The Cyber Safety online course includes:
• Cyber Safety: Explore techniques to protect personal, private information in cyberspace and avoid malicious online threats.
• Cyber Bullying: Generate awareness about cyber bullying and how to recognize and respond to a bullying situation.
• Sexting: Learn about sexting and the consequences and danger that can arise from engaging in the action.

This course will include fire topics such as infectious control, high-rise firefighting, arson investigations, flash overs, backdraft fires, fire tetrahedron, and effects of fire on various structures, and final physical training test.

A selected group of students will also learn about pre-hospital emergency medical care, ambulance service, and all the aspects of Emergency Medical Technician – Basic. Field trips, team building activities are included in this year. Students will receive their AED Defibrillator and First Responder training and certification. Senior cadets may also apply to participate in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training.

The police emphasis will include topics such as methods of criminal investigation, national crime rate statistics, criminal law terms, examining policing in multicultural communities, learning the standards required for police recruitment and retention, responsibilities of specialized units in law enforcement, becoming knowledgeable about police discretion and behavior, learning about advancements in technologies in solving crimes (DNA), crime scene investigations, search and seizure procedures, vehicle searches, physical fitness training, role playing in different scenarios, guest speakers from CPD and other law enforcement agencies on their responsibilities, and legal jurisdictions and equipment used by police officers. Students may also be eligible to sit and take the 20-hour Unarmed Security Guard Class through Monterrey Security Services and apply to receive their PERC credentials.

Educational law enforcement related field trips, team building activities and community service projects are included in this year.

All senior cadets must also take and pass the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour online course and the Cyber Security Safety Training Course. These courses are required to graduate from the program.