Many fire and EMS departments across the nation are struggling to find new volunteer members and retain their current members. This session discusses the challenges of recruiting volunteers, presents valuable research collected as part of the NVFC’s Make Me A Firefighter campaign, and offers ideas to help overcome recruiting challenges. Potential retention solutions and the
The NVFC’s Incident Safety Officer (ISO) training will give students an overview of the role of an ISO and cover communications and safety, as well as the practical application of this information. Please note, this is not an ISO certification program. Instructor, Brian Foley
We know that distracted driving is an epidemic. As emergency responders, we see firsthand the devastating effects of distracted driving in terms of lives lost and injuries to the public, especially teens. Distracted driving also affects us, with struck-by incidents increasing every year. Accordingly, many departments are adding distracted driving education to their community risk
On May 15, 2026, two volunteer firefighters died following an explosion of an oxygen-limiting silo that occurred at a lumber mill. The incident was investigated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) so that the fire service can learn from this incident and prevent
Quality leadership is essential for the fire and emergency services to accomplish the mission, improve member satisfaction, and best serve the community. This course examines leadership styles, qualities, ethics, and best practices to help your department function at a high level and avoid fire and emergency services leadership pitfalls. Retention research will also be discussed
As the number of electric vehicles on the roadways increases, it is important for first responders to understand how a response involving these types of vehicles is different than those with an internal combustion engine. This awareness and fundamentals course will introduce first responders to hybrid and electric vehicles, share data and resources, and equip
Does the term “do more with less” sound familiar? For many volunteer and combination departments, that’s a daily reality – and it matters most in the critical first minutes of an incident. This webinar will review incident priorities and how staffing levels can make all the difference between winning and losing on the fireground. We’ll
The NVFC, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, offers an in-person training course to teach fire service volunteers how to properly conduct safety assessments for homes located in the wildland-urban interface and provide recommendations to residents to protect their property from wildfires. Classroom Session (Saturday, October 24, 2026 - 0800-1200 PT) You’ll learn the
NFPA standards are meant to establish a baseline of safety and operational performance, but many departments assume adoption is an all-or-nothing decision – and that’s one of the most misunderstood aspects of how these standards actually work. This NVFC Roundtable Talk brings together subject matter experts to unpack where the line really falls between what’s
Join Dr. Candice McDonald and Chief Joel Cerny, along with guests Douglas Cline and Chief Corey Smedley, for an interactive discussion on Retention & Recruitment for Combination Departments. The session will run 30 minutes and include audience Q&A. Register
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