Additional Training Resources
In addition to the training opportunities offered by the NVFC, there are many sources for fire and emergency service training and education. Below are some of these resources.
Federal Resources
National Fire Academy (NFA)
The NFA offers free in-person courses at their resident facility in Emmitsburg, MD, and throughout the nation through state and local fire training organizations and colleges and universities. They also offer a variety of free online courses, most of which have continuing education units available.
NFA – Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP)
The National Fire Academy’s Volunteer Incentive Program is an intensive 6-day educational opportunity designed specifically for volunteer and combination department emergency services personnel.
USFA State Points of Contact
Find your state’s training points of contact.
Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC)
Congress and the Department of Homeland Security established the RDPC to develop and deliver relevant all-hazards training in support of rural homeland security requirements.
Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)
The mission of FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness is to operate a federal training center for delivery of high-quality, comprehensive preparedness training programs for the nation’s emergency responders.
Department of Homeland Security – National Training and Education Division (NTED)
NTED prepares state and local first responders to prevent, protect, respond to, and recover from manmade and natural catastrophic events.
Colleges and Universities
Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University offers online degree programs in a variety of fields, including fire science and emergency medical services. NVFC members are eligible for a tuition discount and waived application fee. An annual scholarship is also available for NVFC members.
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Globe Campus offers a variety of online degree programs. NVFC members get a discount on out-of-state tuition rates for most programs.
Schools with Fire and Emergency Services Programs
Through the National Junior Firefighter Program, the NVFC maintains a list of colleges and universities that offer fire and emergency services degree programs.
Organization Resources
TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute
TEEX offers a series of online firefighting continuing education courses covering a variety of topics. Many of the courses are available for just $5.
Traffic incident Management and Vehicle Response Training
Find in-person and online training opportunities in the areas of traffic incident management (TIM) and electric vehicle response.
ResponderSafety Learning Network
This online learning platform from the Emergency Responder Safety Institute contains over 40 free training programs relating to safe roadway operations. They also provide a National TIM Training Certificate for registered users who complete 10 specific ResponderSafety Learning Network online self-paced programs.
UL FSRI Fire Safety Academy
The UL Fire Safety Research Institute’s Fire Safety Academy offers free science-based courses for fire service personnel. Topics include fire dynamics, firefighting tactics, and firefighter health.
NFPA Online and Live Virtual Training
The National Fire Protection Association offers online training created by experts. The training is cost effective, convenient, and eligible for CEUs. Several free demonstrations are available to sample the training before you register.
TRANSCAER Hazmat Training Courses
TRANSCAER offers both in-person and online hazmat training courses for emergency responders and community leaders. All courses are provided free of charge.
IFSTA ResourceOne Classroom
ResourceOne provides a one-stop, online location for all IFSTA curriculum and learning resources. It is available for free to fire departments and educational institutions that use IFSTA manuals.
Other Resources
Vector Solutions
Vector Solutions provides online operational training for first responders, with more than 450 hours of fire department training based on NFPA codes and standards. Select courses are free for NVFC members; find details in the members-only section of the NVFC web site.
FM Global Fire Service Learning Network
FM Global offers self-paced modules relating to topics in firefighting at commercial and industrial properties, including a four-module course for Fighting Fire in Sprinklered Buildings.
McNeil & Co./ESIP E-Learning and Training Management System
McNeil & Co./ESIP offer a free training platform to their policy holders, with courses designed to supplement hands-on training. Many of the courses can count towards CAPCE continuing education credits.
NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication Program
The National Auto Body Council’s First Responder Emergency Extrication™ Program provides firefighters and first responders opportunities to practice and hone their skills on late model vehicles. Knowing where and how to efficiently cut and extricate in today’s vehicles can help save lives as well as improve the safety of first responders.
