ECC to Celebrate 10 Years of the Center for Emergency Services

ELGIN, Ill., September 8, 2026 — Elgin Community College (ECC) will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Center for Emergency Services (CES) on Saturday, October 3, with an information session and its annual family-friendly Touch-a-Truck event.

Both events will take place at CES, 815 E. Plank Road in Burlington, Illinois, and will allow prospective students, families, and community members to explore emergency services careers and experience the training facilities firsthand.

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The day begins at 10 am with an information session for those interested in careers in emergency services and public safety. ECC faculty will provide an overview of the college's first-responder programs and discuss career opportunities in the field. Registration is required, and seating is limited.

"We're looking forward to inviting the community to celebrate our tenth anniversary with us," said Ron Two Bulls, senior director of academic programming and public safety training at ECC. "ECC has offered fire service education since the 1970s, but opening the Center for Emergency Services 10 years ago really solidified what we do here. Enrollment and recruitment continue to grow, and it's been awesome to see that growth. I'm very excited about the future of emergency services."

That growth is reflected in both enrollment and the number of credentials students are earning. Enrollment in ECC's Fire Science and Safety programs has more than doubled since fiscal year 2022, increasing from 193 enrollments to 432 in fiscal year 2026. The number of credentials awarded has also more than doubled, growing from 101 in fiscal year 2022 to 210 in fiscal year 2025. Apprenticeships are also expanding opportunities for students, with apprentices participating across six Fire Science and Safety programs this fall.

Following the information session, attendees can tour CES facilities and speak with advisors about program options and career pathways. To register, visit elgin.edu/ces.

At 11 am, CES will host its annual, family-friendly Touch-a-Truck event. This event will feature hands-on activities and demonstrations for all ages, including:

• Opportunities to climb aboard a fire engine or patrol car for a photo
• Demonstrations of fire, police, and paramedic equipment
• Live firefighter training demonstrations at the burn tower
• Food trucks, free ECC giveaways, and exclusive 10th anniversary keepsakes

Program faculty will be on-site along with firefighters, police officers, and paramedics from local municipalities to meet with attendees and answer questions.

For more information or to register, visit elgin.edu/ces.

Contact:
Elgin Community College
Communications
Office: 847.214.7838
Email: news@elgin.edu

About ECC: An Achieving the Dream Leader College and one of the Aspen Institute's Top 200 schools in the nation, Elgin Community College (ECC) is a comprehensive, fully accredited public community college and serves approximately 16,000 students each year. Programs of study include more than 30 major fields for university transfer, a full complement of pre-collegiate courses, corporate and continuing education, and more than 130 career-oriented occupational degrees and certificates. ECC is also a U.S. Department of Education-designated Hispanic Serving Institution.

ECC NEWS MEDIA PROTOCOL
All members of the media should utilize the communications department as the first point of contact. The director of communications may be reached at 847-214-7838 or news@elgin.edu. All Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests must be submitted in writing to Erin Schmalen, compliance officer, at eschmalen@elgin.edu or via fax at 847-214-7375.