Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy news

A group of visitors from Indiana recently visited the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) in Glenview, a 21-acre facility dedicated to training police officers and firefighters. The academy is managed by an intergovernmental organization that includes municipalities, fire protection districts, and other agencies.

Jill Ramaker, who became the executive director two years ago, had a clear vision for expanding NIPSTA’s role beyond just fire service training. “When I first came here, about 70% of our work was focused on fire training,” she explained. “My goal was to create a comprehensive training center that could prepare all types of personnel for large-scale disaster responses.”

In just a few years, NIPSTA has transformed into a full-service training ground for emergency management, law enforcement, public works, and more. One of the most significant developments under her leadership is the Center for Disaster and Emergency Medicine. “We’re building something new here,” Ramaker said during a tour. “After paramedic school, there wasn’t much in terms of advanced training to really push people to excel in their daily roles.”

It's not just about increasing the number of trainees or the range of services offered—it’s also about collaboration. “We wanted to bring together all the different agencies and organizations that would be involved in a disaster, whether it's small or catastrophic,” Ramaker emphasized.

NIPSTA has over 450 instructors, many of whom are retired or currently working in public safety. The academy is supported by nearly two dozen voting members, including cities like Arlington Heights, Evanston, and Deerfield.

The Indiana delegation was there to learn how they could develop a similar training center in their state. During their visit, they observed firefighters practicing car extrication, saw a high-tech mobile ambulance, and toured the Center for Disaster and Emergency Medicine. They also explored training towers, a trench rescue area, and even an old commuter train used for rescue simulations.

Inside, law enforcement trainees were using virtual reality to simulate real-life scenarios—like a domestic dispute that escalates into a violent situation or a school shooting where a virtual officer is suddenly injured. A driving simulator allowed trainees to practice handling emergency situations in various weather conditions.

Ramaker hired Tom Gaertner, a former Broadview Fire Chief, as deputy director, and together they oversee a growing team. “We're seeing a 35% increase in revenue compared to last year,” she noted. “That shows we're growing quickly and making a real impact.”

Looking ahead, NIPSTA plans to launch a Center for Crisis Leadership next year. The academy is also expanding its partnerships with Chicago, schools, and private industry. It now offers snow removal training and helps school districts develop emergency response plans.

“When someone reaches out to us, we always say yes,” Ramaker said. “If we don’t have a program, we build one. We won’t turn anyone away because every part of society is affected by today’s challenges.”

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