Attend a Reputation Management Course to Learn How to Protect Your Department

Reputation management is critical for fire and emergency service departments. With the 24-hour news cycle, the speed of the Internet, and the era of citizen journalism, the fire service is not exempt from making headlines for the wrong reasons. Once a department’s reputation is questioned or harmed, it can be difficult, and in some cases impossible, to regain the public’s trust.

Departments need to be prepared to prevent and manage unexpected negative publicity. A series of workshops provided this summer by subject matter expert Candice McDonald is designed to train department leaders in how to protect their departments and prevent organizational threats.

McDonald is a Firefighter/EMS Officer for the Winona (OH) Fire Department, co-chair of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association Reputation Management Committee, active member of the ResponderSafety.com outreach team, and the Great Lakes Trustee for iWomen. She has also worked with the NVFC in a variety of roles, including serving as OH Fire Corps State Advocate and collaborating on training ranging from reputation management to recruitment and retention.

Below is the workshop schedule. Learn more about each course and register using the links provided.

How Not to Make Headlines for the Wrong Reasons
July 18, 2015
Firehouse Expo
Baltimore, MD
(Note: NVFC members receive a discount on select conference packages)

Protecting Your Department’s Reputation
July 31, 2015
Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention
Delaware City, DE

Firefighter Reputation Management
August 7, 2015
Keystone Firefighter Conference
Oaks, PA

Ignite the Successful YOU! Are you Branded for Career Success
August 25, 2015
iWomen Leadership Conference
Atlanta, GA

Reputation Management: Strategies to Safeguard the Firehouse from Bad Behaviors, Social Media, and Citizen Journalists
August 28, 2015
Fire-Rescue International
Atlanta, GA

Reputation Management: Preventing Member Derailment
September 19, 2015
Old Forge Fire School
Old Forge, NY


If you are unable to attend one of these live training sessions, check out the NVFC’s Virtual Classroom courses on reputation management.