The Chicago Fire Department contracted with Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC to provide first responder training management and instruction.  Polaris provides classroom instruction with practical exercises covering areas that include firefighting techniques; fire department operations, policy, and procedures specific to the Chicago Fire Department; and homeland security related instruction.

Currently, the Chicago Fire Department tasked Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC to deliver mandatory training pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security’s Securing the Cities Program.  The Department of Homeland Security/Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office/Securing the Cities and Pathways Program aims to reduce the risk of deployment of radiological/nuclear weapons against major metropolitan areas.  Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC is responsible for providing specialized training, exercises, and technical support to the Chicago Fire Department and other regional first responders.  Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC trains first responders in specific National Nuclear Security Administration- Center for Radiological/Nuclear Training courses which include:

• Primary Screener/Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) Course- DHS-013 PREV
• Secondary Screener/Radioisotope Identification Devices (RIID) Course- DHS-015 PREV
• Primary Screener Backpack DHS-014 PREV
• Primary Screener Mobile Detection System (MDS) DHS-012 PREV

The Chicago Fire Department has also tasked Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC with providing instructional services for the Fire Safety Director training that the Department sponsors to assist building owners in complying with Municipal Code 13-78.  The Code requires that buildings classified as Category One, Two, Three, or Four buildings designate a Fire Safety Director and a Deputy Fire Safety Director. Both of these positions are required to maintain an Emergency Preparedness Certificate issued by the Chicago Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Prevention.  The Fire Safety Director curriculum covers high-rise building emergency procedures; life safety guidelines for commercial and residential high-rise buildings; evacuation of people with disabilities; fire detection and suppression systems; and information on the portions of the City of Chicago Municipal Code that applicable to high-rise building safety.

Filld, Inc, hired Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC to provide subject matter expertise on fire codes and regulations that impact the company’s product delivery model.  Filld, Inc is a mobile fueling company that delivers fuel to vehicles at each vehicle’s location.  Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC advocated on Filld’s behalf for fire code and regulation amendments and worked to resolve safety concerns raised by fire code officials and community leaders.

The Knox Company, Inc. contracted with Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC to promote mandating locking key boxes and fire department connection (FDC) caps into local safety codes and regulations.  Locking key boxes safely store a building’s master key in strategic locations throughout a building to provide first responders access to locations within the building.  Unprotected FDCs are vulnerable to vandalism and debris, which can prevent the flow of supplemental water to a building fire sprinkler system.  FDC caps protect these connections and keep pipes clean to ensure the maximum water flow to fire sprinklers.

Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC assists Knox Company by working directly with safety science accreditation companies such as Underwriters Laboratories and state and local governmental entities to develop standards for locking key boxes and fire department connection caps in new construction and renovations of multi-family and commercials buildings.  Polaris Public Safety Solution, LLC also conducts educational events for fire departments, building owners, and building management companies providing information about the safety and security benefits of locking key boxes and FDC caps.

The Village of Flossmoor contracted with Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for the Flossmoor Fire Department.  Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC also assisted the Village with hiring an interim Fire Chief.  As part of the Fire Chief hiring process, Polaris Public Safety Solutions, LLC led the recruitment process, developed the tools used for candidate assessment, and participated in the interview process.