Private Industry

Motorola Solutions Foundation Supports NIPSTA Training

The NIPSTA Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce receipt of a $10,000 grant from the Motorola Solutions Foundation Public Safety and Security Institute.  The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, Inc.  The funds are dedicated to the NIPSTA Firefighter Academy in support of the expansion of training facilities on the NIPSTA Campus.

The Motorola Solutions Foundation's Public Safety Grants enhance safety education and training programs for first responders, their families, and the general public in the United States and Canada.  This award to the NIPSTA Foundation will improve the delivery of live fire exercises that are scheduled regularly during the nine-week Firefighter Academy program.  This is consistent with the Academy's mission to prepare candidates who are fit for duty and committed to a career in the fire service.  The NIPSTA curriculum is the only year-round, regional training program of its kind in northeastern Illinois.  This funding will help to ensure continuation of this one-of-a-kind learning experience. 

NIPSTA Receives Donation to Enhance Programs for Firefighters

Schwartz Brothers Insurance and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company recently partnered to donate more than $13,000 to the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy to purchase essential training equipment, including search and rescue gear, hand tools, and fire hose, couplings, and nozzles.

“We are proud to direct this grant to NIPSTA so that it has the resources needed to continue its training efforts and produce top-notch rescue workers,” said Don Zimelis of Schwartz Brothers Insurance.

“Limited budgets often make it difficult for training academies to purchase critical training equipment for firefighters to do their jobs effectively and safely,” added Spence Miller, Schwartz Brothers Insurance.  “We are honored to have the opportunity to present this donation to NIPSTA, so it can continue to do the great work it does.”

This contribution will allow NIPSTA to not only enhance programs and services, but also prepare first responders for emergency scenarios that can be provided on Campus in a safe and controlled environment.

Elevated Safety, LLC Raises the Bar for Training

Chicago-based Elevated Safety, LLC is a local business that serves clients in the Midwest, across the country, and internationally.  The firm delivers rope access and rescue training, as well as services and consulting to businesses and organizations in multiple industries. 

Earlier this year, Elevated Safety, LLC and NIPSTA combined efforts in order to provide Industrial Rope Access to the SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians) Certification Levels.  These intense courses teach workers how to safely access structures primarily using two-rope systems and advanced techniques in structural progression and rescue.

Elevated Safety, LLC courses continue to be offered at NIPSTA on an open enrollment basis.  The entire training calendar is available here.