Governance & Committees

NIPSTA Board of Directors

The NIPSTA Board of Directors serves as the governing body that makes all final policy decisions, sets goals and objectives and is responsible for the governance of the Academy. The NIPSTA Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from each of the Members.

The NIPSTA Board of Directors meets four times per year on the NIPSTA Campus on the following dates: Meetings

February 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
April 7, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
September 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
December 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Meetings of the NIPSTA Board of Director are open to all NIPSTA members and to the public.

Officers

President

Chief Joe Schrage, City of Highland Park Fire Department

The NIPSTA President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Academy and presides at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. The President also signs all resolutions and other policy statements adopted by the Board of Directors and executes contracts entered into by the Academy with other jurisdictions or private business enterprises.

Secretary/Treasurer

Chief Robert Greiner, North Maine Fire Protection District

The NIPSTA Secretary is responsible for keeping all official records of the Academy and for taking minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Secretary is the custodian of the Corporate Seal and attests the signature of corporate officials as required on necessary legal documents.

The NIPSTA Treasurer is responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the Academy, including for all revenues and expenditures, preparation of the annual budget and authorization of all warrants for payment of all goods and services acquired by the Agency. The Treasurer also causes an annual audit to be completed by an independent certified public accountant.

Executive Committee

The NIPSTA Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing the Academy’s day-to-day operations, which are under the control of an appointed Executive Director. The Executive Committee ensures the implementation of all policies established by the Board of Directors.

Current members of the NIPSTA Executive Committee:

President	Fire Chief Joe Schrage	City of Highland Park
Secretary/Treasurer	Fire Chief Robert Greiner	North Maine Fire Protection District
Past President	Fire Chief Drew Smith	Prospect Heights Fire Protection District
Chairman, Public Works Training Committee	Kelly Hamill, Director of Public Works	Village of Northbrook
Chairman, Fire/EMS Training Committee	Fire Division Chief Tim Cassidy	Village of Mount Prospect
Chairman, Safety Committee	Laura Ditanto, Asst. Director of Public Works	Village of Libertyville
Member-At-Large	James Hawkins, Deputy Village Manager	Village of Northbrook
Chairman, Law Enforcement Training Committee	Police Commander Alejandro Mercado	Village of Wilmette

The NIPSTA Executive Committee meets monthly on the NIPSTA Campus on the following dates:

January 28, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.	July 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
February 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.	August 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
March 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.	September 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
April 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.	October 28, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
May 27, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.	November 18, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
June 24, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.	December 16, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Meetings of the NIPSTA Executive Committee are open to all NIPSTA members and to the public.

View archived Agendas

Standing Committees

Safety Committee

Committee Chair: Laura Ditanto, Village of Libertyville

The Committee is responsible for reviewing safety matters, safety initiatives, and safety projects or upgrades affecting the NIPSTA campus or its facilities and equipment. The Committee is also responsible for implementing proposed and new applicable safety related laws and regulations that relate to NIPSTA’s operations and training programs. The committee meeting schedule is available upon request.

Fire/EMS Training Committee

Committee Chair: Fire Division Chief Tim Cassidy, Village of Mount Prospect

The Committee is responsible for identifying, researching and making recommendations related to the management and operation of fire, EMS, E.S.D.A, special rescue, recovery and mitigation activities to meet regional and individual fire service training needs. The committee meeting schedule is available upon request.

Police/Law Enforcement Training Committee

Committee Chair: Police Commander Alejandro Mercado, Village of Wilmette

The Committee is responsible for identifying, researching and making recommendations related to police functions, management, special operations, E.S.D.A, tactical needs and community-oriented policing to meet the training needs of police departments individually and collectively. The Committee meeting schedule is available upon request.

Public Works Training Committee

Committee Chair: Public Works Director Kelly Hamill, Village of Northbrook

The Committee is responsible for identifying, research and making recommendations related to water, sewer, streets and other training needs for associated municipal services. The Committee meeting schedule is available upon request.