Seminars

Permitting/Inspection of Pyrotechnics; and Inspection of Food Trucks, Carnivals, Inflatables, and Special Events

9 – 12pm 

Plainfield FPD 

23748 W 135 St, 

Plainfield IL

3 hours

Description:

The class will cover permit application review, required documentation, site plan evaluation, inspection procedures, operational safety considerations, and enforcement strategies. Real-world scenarios and practical examples will be used to help attendees confidently navigate complex or high-risk event environments.

Participants will be equipped to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards, reduce liability, and enhance public safety while supporting successful community events.

Instructor Craig Solick 

Bio:

With over 30 years of experience in the fire service and more than 15 years dedicated to Fire Prevention Bureau management operations, Craig Solick brings extensive field knowledge and regulatory expertise to the fire prevention community. He is certified as an Advanced Fire Prevention Officer and Fire Investigator through the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and holds Inspector I and II certifications from the International Code Council. He is also a Level I Amusement Ride Safety Inspector through the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials.

Craig holds degrees in Fire Science Technologies and Liberal Arts, and remains actively engaged in advancing the profession. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Fire Inspectors Association as the Fireworks Chairman. Additionally, he contributes his expertise to the OSFM Proximate Audience and Flame Licensing Review Committee and the Consumer Fireworks Review Committee.

COST:

$30 each for IFIA members
$50 each for Non-Members 

Core Chapters of NFPA 10

9 am - 3 pm 

Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council 

1256 Estes Ave

Elk Grove Village

Morning 3 hours

Description:  Fire Door Inspection Standards, Qualifications, and Enforcement Applications

This class is for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and provides an applied review of fire door inspection qualifications, governing code requirements, and enforcement considerations. It outlines inspector competency requirements and the role of third-party qualifications in supporting consistent and defensible AHJ oversight. Participants receive a structured review of NFPA 80 (2019 Ed), Chapters 1 through 6, including relevant Annex material, to clarify code intent, scope, responsibilities, and inspection trigger points related to fire door assemblies. There will be a practical discussion on the NFPA 80’s mandated 13 Points of Inspection, emphasizing their application during inspections, acceptance testing, and enforcement actions to ensure compliance and support life-safety objectives.

Instructor Brian Payne

BIO

With 37 years of experience in the carpentry trade, Brian has built his career with a strong focus on interior finishes, specializing in door and hardware installation, maintenance, and repair. His deep technical knowledge and hands-on skill set have made him a respected expert in the field of life safety, code compliance, and commercial opening systems. 

For nearly a decade, Brian has served as a Full-Time Instructor, Locksmith, and Lead Hardware Department Instructor at the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice & Training Program. In this role, he develops and delivers advanced training to apprentices and journeypersons, ensuring that the next generation of carpenters is equipped to install and maintain safe, compliant, and properly functioning door systems. 

Brian has completed extensive manufacturer and industry training and has both taken and developed instructional programs involving major brands. His curriculum emphasizes real-world installation practices, troubleshooting, and code-oriented performance requirements. 

In 2021, Brian earned his Door Safety Inspector (DSI) designation through Door Safety, LLC. Since then, he has trained students in essential life safety and code standards including: NFPA 80, NFPA 101, NFPA 105, and ANSI A117.1 

Afternoon 2 hours

Mass Timber Firestopping - Containing Fire in Combustible Compartments

Why do we build with wood? In answering this question in many ways throughout the presentation, we start with an introduction of the materials that are identified as Mass Timber elements of construction and the differences between each. Then we discuss the largest scale mass timber projects that are in existence today, and those that are proposed to be built over the next couple decades throughout the globe. After some light discussion on changes in the IBC model code, we then dive into the unique qualities of wood, that create complexities on why wood is good - but strange. We then show the process of designing mass timber structures as it relates to structural design and fire resistance. We finish the presentation by showing examples of actual penetration and perimeter fire containment tests involving mass timber elements and we cover some of the design features for systems that STI has tested over the past nine years, developing a strong portfolio of mass timber passive fire protection systems.

Instructor Tim Mattox

BIO

Mr. Mattox is a 1994 graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University with a 30-year career in technical roles for manufacturers and testing labs. Among his significant contributions to the industry are participation in leadership positions for global standards organizations including UL, ASTM, NCFM in China, and ISO where he served as US Head of Delegation for TC 163. Mr. Mattox has spoken many times, both nationally and internationally, on topics such as firestopping in mass timber construction and the relationship between proper firestopping and sound transmission control. In a brief departure from fire protection, Mr. Mattox designed and built a state-of-the-art air and water leakage testing lab routinely used by Oak Ridge National Laboratories and the Air Barrier Association of America. During this time, he worked with UL to establish categories for exterior wall systems and components, marrying air and water leakage performance with vertical flame control. He has been employed with Specified Technologies since 2016 and currently serves as President of the International Firestop Council.

COST:  

$30 each for IFIA members
$50 each for Non-Members 

Life Safety Plan Review - NFPA 101 2015 ed

9 am – 11:30 am

Location:  TBD

Description:  

The class will discuss how to do a plan review concentrating on NFPA 101, 2015 ed., the State adopted code, but will cross reference to ICC/IFC when appropriate. We will also discuss the differences of home-rule and non-home-rule communities, and what that means for the reviewer. The majority of the time will be on maneuvering between the chapters of NFPA 101 and the hierarch of the chapters.

It will be mentioned that if the municipality is unable to do plan reviews, the OSFM does them free, with the caveat that it would only be using NFPA 101.

Instructor Bill Schmidt

Bio

Bill was with Streamwood Fire Department for 36 years, and retired as Battalion Chief. He was the Fire Prevention Coordinator from 2011- 2014, and the Fire Prevention liaison from 2014 – 2025. Bill currently works for the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Technical Services of the Fire Prevention Division. 

COST:  

$30 each for IFIA members
$50 each for Non-Members 

Steps to Safety Training

9 am – 3:00 pm

Location:  Plainfield IL

Get ready to become a Steps to Safety Instructor in your state with our interactive train-the-trainer workshop! 

COST:  

No Charge

Core Chapters of NFPA 101

Location:  TBD

Description:

This class will cover the Core Chapters (Chapters 1-10) of NFPA 101 (2015 ed) as adopted by the OSFM. This will include how NFPA 101 is used throughout Illinois, such as how this adoption is affected by home rule and non-home rule municipalities and in state licensed and state buildings. .

Instructor:

Catherine Stashak is a fire protection engineer having worked with OSFM for 19-1/2 years. She graduated from IIT with a B.S. in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering and an MBA. She retired from the Des Plaines Fire Department as a firefighter/inspector. Catherine serves on NFPA Technical Committees, the NFPA Standards Council, UL Standards Technical Panels, CANENA working groups (WG) related to refrigeration, and on WGs for the ICC Fire Code Advisory Committee.

COST:  

$30 each for IFIA members
$50 each for Non-Members 

Feb 2026 Site Plan Review

Nov 2025 Did You Know

Feb 2025 Fireworks and Special Events

Nov 2025 Did You Know

Jan 2024 Fire Alarm Did You Know. 

Contact the Office to get the seminar they would like. 

COST:  

$30 each for IFIA members
$50 each for Non-Members