NVFC Celebrates 50th Anniversary at Fall 2026 Conference

October 6, 2026

NVFC Board of Directors

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors held its annual fall conference in Owensboro, KY, on September 23-25, 2026. In total, 59 directors from 39 states attended. The board conducted business, heard from a lineup of speakers, received updates on critical matters impacting the volunteer emergency services, and celebrated the NVFC’s 50th anniversary.

Read below for a wrap-up of the event, and check out this video of conference highlights.

Speakers
A series of speakers addressed the NVFC board on a range of issues, from electric vehicle fire response to grant programs that benefit the volunteer emergency services.

  • Mike Marusic, senior director, community affairs, Anheuser-Busch, provided an update on the Anheuser-Busch Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program.
  • Bret German, corporate responsibility analyst, State Farm, and Lori Shirley, senior program manager for NVFC, provided an update on the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program.
  • Christian Vogt, research engineer for UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), discussed FSRI’s recent research findings and recommendations for electric vehicle fire incident response.
  • Charlie Mathewson presented to the board on Operation Lifesaver’s Railroad Investigation/Incident Safety Course, which aims to keep first responders safe in a rail environment.
  • David Osborne, chair of the Airport-Sorgho Volunteer Fire Department in Kentucky, shared his story of resilience after being shot while on the job as a police officer.
  • Jeff Buchanan of FirstNet Built with AT&T and John Olson of FirstNet Authority spoke on the public-private partnership and the status of FirstNet.
  • Mitch Petterson of GM spoke about getting responders ready for vehicle automation.
  • Chief Al Yancey of the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) provided an update on VCOS initiatives including the Critical Thinking Academy.

NVFC Executive Committee

Council Business
NVFC committees met in advance of the conference, but the full board heard report outs on key issues including the NVFC’s strategic plan, the status of fire service legislation, FEMA grant criteria development, updates to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, recent research findings on the impact of training on recruitment and retention, cancer screenings, and more. In addition, the board created a Community Risk Reduction Committee and participated in a strategic discussion on recruitment and retention.

NVFC 50th Anniversary Celebration
Attendees celebrated the 50th anniversary of the NVFC at a dinner held at the Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum and hosted by the Green River Firefighters Association. The NVFC was incorporated in 1976 and continues to serve as the only national organization entirely dedicated to supporting and advocating for the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The dinner was followed by the annual NVFC auction, which raised nearly $8,000 for the NVFC Health & Safety Fund.

View a video celebrating the NVFC’s 50th anniversary.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Hosts and Sponsors
The NVFC extends our gratitude to the Kentucky Firefighter’s Association, Green River Firefighters Association, and Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association for hosting the meeting. We also appreciate the support of our sponsors Anheuser-Busch; Clarion Events Fire & Rescue Group; Columbia Southern University; ESIP; FirstNet, Built with AT&T; General Motors/OnStar; National Fire Protection Association; National HeroPlus Program; Provident; Tesla; and Wendell’s Mint.

Next Conference
The NVFC Spring 2027 Conference will take place May 14-16 in Alexandria, VA, with an Advocacy Day preceding the event on May 13.

About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire and emergency medical services. The NVFC unites and supports volunteer and combination fire and EMS organizations through education, advocacy, leadership development, and collaboration. Guided by professionalism and innovation, we provide the tools and resources needed to protect communities, advance responder health and safety, and prepare leaders for the future. Learn more and join at www.nvfc.org.