Building a Healthy and High-Performing Department

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) offers a two-hour in-person course on Building a Healthy and High-Performing Department to provide emergency service leaders with practical strategies and tools to create a stronger, more resilient fire department culture. The course focuses on six key practices to support department members and create an engaged and thriving workforce.

Course Request

Request this training for your department or regional event using this form.

Hosting Details

The NVFC offers this course free of charge to the host and attendees and will provide the instructor and materials. The NVFC can also set up an online registration system to track registrations and deliver logistical information.

The hosting department/organization will assist with determining a date, time, and venue. The host must also help promote the training to ensure maximum attendance.

The training must take place prior to July 20, 2026.

Please note, there is a 20-student minimum for this course.

Full Course Description

This course from the NVFC and the American Psychological Association’s Center for Organizational Excellence is designed to empower fire department leadership to promote and support healthy, high-performing fire/EMS departments. Based on the  framework from the Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments initiative, this course  focuses on six key practices – member involvement, health and safety, member growth and development, work-life-volunteer balance, member recognition, and effective communication – to facilitate member well-being and department functioning.