In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-03-21 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Rosalie Fire Dept, 16191 Hwy 71, Pisgah, AL, 35765, United States
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 first responders with the knowledge and tools to respond more safely when a hybrid or electric vehicle is involved in an incident. This training will require space outside for a hands-on component with an electric vehicle.
Instructor: Jeff Romines

Webinar - Building Stronger Fire Service Teams: Leadership Lessons from Home and Abroad
2026-03-26 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Effective team dynamics and leadership are critical to firefighter safety and operational success. This webinar explores how research-based teamwork principles and real-world experience – both in the U.S. and internationally – can strengthen fire service performance.
Kevin Quinn, NVFC past chair and Africa Fire Mission (AFM) instructor, and Jose Ngunjiri, AFM Fire Safety Officer based in Kenya, will share lessons learned from training fire services across Africa, highlighting leadership, communication, and trust in high-risk, resource-limited environments. Amber Lynn Scott from the University of Kentucky will also share initial research on team dynamics and its relevance to volunteer and combination departments.
Participants will also gain insight into how U.S. firefighters can engage in meaningful international training efforts while bringing practical leadership and teamwork lessons back to their home departments.
Presenters: Nancy Moore, José Ngunjiri, Kevin Quinn, and Amber Lynn Scott

R&R Coffee Talk: Community Involvement
2026-03-26 19:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Join Dr. Candice McDonald and Chief Joel Cerny, along with guest Abena Bonso-Bruce, for an interactive discussion on community involvement in the fire service. This 30-minute session will include audience Q&A.

In-Person - Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
2026-03-30 18:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Wyoming County Fire Training Center, 3651 Wethersfield Road, Warsaw, NY, 14569, United States
Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success: The NVFC published the textbook Volunteer Fire Service Culture – Essential Strategies for Success as a guide to fire service leaders who desire to change their department’s culture and attitude towards personal health and safety. This training delves into key points from the guide to reinforce the need for change and provide a roadmap to improve the health and safety of volunteer fire and EMS responders.
Instructor: Tiger Schmittendorf

Webinar - Save More Lives on Rural Roadways: Strengthening Post-Crash Care
2026-04-01 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
When a serious motor vehicle crash occurs – especially on rural roadways – volunteer fire and EMS departments are the difference between life and death in the critical moments that follow. In this NVFC webinar, join Gamunu Wijetunge, director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of EMS, to learn how advances in post-crash care are strengthening response in rural communities across the country. Hear real-world examples and lessons learned from departments implementing life-saving interventions – from evolving extrication practices to prehospital blood transfusion. The session will share how volunteer fire departments can partner with EMS and highway safety leaders to improve post-crash care and access new resources. Volunteer responders will find this discussion informative as they prepare applications for the upcoming Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) funding opportunity.
Presenter: Gamunu Wijetunge, Director, NHTSA’s Office of EMS

In-Person - Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services
2026-04-02 18:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Oktibbeha County 911 Dispatch Building, 106 E Main Street, Starkville, MS, 39759, United States
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 to help leaders understand retention concerns and identify solutions.
Instructor: Dave Lewis

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-04-07 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Camp Dick Fire & Rescue, 228 Bryantsville Rd, Lancaster, KY, 40444, United States
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 first responders with the knowledge and tools to respond more safely when a hybrid or electric vehicle is involved in an incident. This training will require space outside for a hands-on component with an electric vehicle.
Instructor: Pete Schecter

In-Person - Teaching Hazmat Basics
2026-04-11 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department, 105 E Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME, 04426, United States
This course covers the foundations of teaching hazmat response and safety. Attendees will learn how to connect their hazmat training to the risks faced by the student audience. They will walk away able to take a limited hazmat resource list and develop at least three practical skills trainings of direct benefit to their students. Finally, attendees will be able to develop training drills and/or exercises that meet the needs of their jurisdiction in accordance with recognized national standards.
Instructors: Tom Miller, William Offerman, David Bullard, and Bob MacKay

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-04-11 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Treadway Volunteer Fire Department, 189 Hwy 131, Thorn Hill, TN, 37881, United States
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 first responders with the knowledge and tools to respond more safely when a hybrid or electric vehicle is involved in an incident. This training will require space outside for a hands-on component with an electric vehicle.
Instructor: Rob Ingram

In-Person - Tools in Hazmat Training
2026-04-12 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department, 105 E Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME, 04426, United States
Build your hazmat training ‘toolbox’ with this course, which focuses on the different types of resources and equipment you can use for quality hazmat training. Attendees will walk away with the knowledge of at least five key resources you can use to plan your local hazmat training (such mobile apps and free guides), as well as the uses, limitations, and applications of each. After completing this session, attendees will be able to develop a lesson plan incorporating these resources – and use them with confidence.
Instructors: Tom Miller, William Offerman, David Bullard, and Bob MacKay

Webinar - Maximize Your NVFC Member Experience: Portal, Benefits, and More
2026-04-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Are you making the most of your NVFC membership? Whether you are a new member, a longtime member looking for a refresher, or a prospective member interested in learning more, this webinar will help you take full advantage of all the NVFC has to offer. Join us on April 14 at 2 pm ET for a walkthrough of the NVFC member portal, an overview of exclusive member benefits, and practical tips for getting the most value from your membership.
Presenters: Alyssa Dara and Laura Towers

In-Person - Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP)
2026-04-18 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Battalion 1 Station – Pinedale, 130 S Fremont Ave, Pinedale, WY, 82941, United States
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.
Instructor: Mark Howell

In-Person - Incident Safety Officer Training & Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services
2026-04-18 08:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Vermont Fire Academy, 93 Davison Drive, Pittsford, VT, 05763, United States
Incident Safety Officer Training: 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.
Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services: 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 to help leaders understand retention concerns and identify solutions.
Instructor: Kevin Quinn
To register email Robert Kilpeck at rjkilpeck@aol.com

In-Person - Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services
2026-04-21 18:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Wyoming County Fire Training Center, 3651 Wethersfield Road, Warsaw, NY, 14569, United States
Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services: 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 to help leaders understand retention concerns and identify solutions.
Instructor: Tiger Schmittendorf

Webinar - Start Strong: Effective Onboarding for Volunteer Firefighters and EMS
2026-04-23 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Onboarding volunteer firefighters and EMS providers comes with unique challenges, including limited time, staffing, and resources. Without a structured process in place, departments risk losing new volunteers before they ever have the chance to make an impact. This webinar will cover practical strategies for building an effective onboarding program that welcomes new members, sets clear expectations, and connects them to the mission of their department from day one. Whether your department is building an onboarding process from scratch or looking to improve what you already have, you’ll walk away with actionable tools and ideas you can put to work right away.
Presenter: Pam Rogers

In-Person – EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-04-24 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Big Flats Fire Dept, 505 Maple Street, Big Flats, NY, 14814, United States
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 first responders with the knowledge and tools to respond more safely when a hybrid or electric vehicle is involved in an incident. This training will require space outside for a hands-on component with an electric vehicle.
Instructor: Corey McCartney

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-04-29 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Columbus Fire Department, 100 South Peak St, Columbus, NC, 28722, United States
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 first responders with the knowledge and tools to respond more safely when a hybrid or electric vehicle is involved in an incident. This training will require space outside for a hands-on component with an electric vehicle.
Instructor: Marie Mire

In-Person - Instructor Training for Flammable Gases
2026-04-29 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | MAAC Foundation, 4203 Montdale Drive, Valparaiso, IN, 46383, United States
This course focuses on the specific techniques and knowledge required to teach others about flammable gases hazmat response. After completing the course, attendees will be able to relate the specific regional applications of the product and key response considerations; describe specific chemical properties of the product to their students; and transfer key strategies and tactics to students for dealing with an incident involving the product. Safety is a focus, and the course will stress teaching others the key safety considerations for application when dealing with an incident involving the product.
Instructor: William Offerman

In-Person - Teaching Hazmat Basics
2026-05-02 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Wyoming County Fire Training Center, 3651 Wethersfield Road, Warsaw, NY, 14569, United States
This course covers the foundations of teaching hazmat response and safety. Attendees will learn how to connect their hazmat training to the risks faced by the student audience. They will walk away able to take a limited hazmat resource list and develop at least three practical skills trainings of direct benefit to their students. Finally, attendees will be able to develop training drills and/or exercises that meet the needs of their jurisdiction in accordance with recognized national standards.
Instructors: Tom Miller and William Offerman

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-05-02 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Keystone Church, 655 Spaulding Ave, Ada, MI, 49301, United States
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 first responders with the knowledge and tools to respond more safely when a hybrid or electric vehicle is involved in an incident. This training will require space outside for a hands-on component with an electric vehicle.
Instructor: Doug deBest

In-Person – Teaching Basic Decon
2026-05-03 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Wyoming County Fire Training Center, 3651 Wethersfield Road, Warsaw, NY, 14569, United States
This course focuses on first responder safety by reviewing basic decontamination (decon) techniques. Attendees will learn the differences between the various levels of decontamination as well as alternate means of decontamination and how to set up a one-hour drill/exercise in their jurisdiction. Keeping the focus on safety, attendees will discuss how to utilize a safety officer when conducting decon drills.
Instructors: Tom Miller and William Offerman

Roundtable Talk - Training Under Pressure — Addressing Volunteer Firefighter Training Challenges
2026-05-07 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Volunteer fire departments face increasing challenges delivering effective training amid limited time, budgets, and growing operational demands. This Roundtable Talk will explore common training barriers, including balancing requirements with personal and professional commitments, securing resources, and ensuring training supports firefighter safety and operational readiness. Panelists will share practical strategies for improving training efficiency, using training as a retention tool, and maintaining quality without overburdening volunteers. This discussion is designed for volunteer fire service leaders and training officers seeking actionable ideas to strengthen their training programs. This Roundtable Talk is sponsored by Vector Solutions.
Presenters: David Bullard (Moderator), Jeff Cash, Brian Focht, Robbi King, and Matt Shronts

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-05-09 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | New Fairview Fire Rescue, 1015 FM 407, Rhome, TX, 76078, United States

Roundtable Talk - Crisis at the Crossroads: Addressing EMS Recruitment and Retention in Volunteer Departments
2026-05-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Volunteer fire and EMS departments are facing a growing crisis. Many departments struggle to recruit and retain members while call volumes – especially for medical emergencies – continue to increase. This NVFC Roundtable Talk will bring together fire and EMS leaders to explore the key challenges driving EMS recruitment and retention struggles in volunteer departments, including the time and financial demands of training and recertification, work-life balance, economic pressures, leadership gaps, and the disconnect between community expectations and the realities of volunteering. Participants will also discuss practical strategies and best practices to help departments attract new members and retain experienced ones for the long term.
Presenters: Walter Campbell, Joe Mistovich (Moderator), Pam Rogers, and Jules Scadden

Webinar - NFIRS to NERIS: What Volunteer Departments Need to Know Now
2026-05-13 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) sunset on January 31, and the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is now the nation’s primary system for collecting fire incident data. This webinar, presented by Tyler Gibbs of Alpine Software, will provide volunteer fire service leaders with a practical overview of the transition from NFIRS to NERIS and what it means for department reporting. We’ll cover why the change is happening, key differences in structure and validation requirements, and the increased emphasis on accurate timelines, actions taken, and personnel documentation. The webinar will also address common misconceptions and outline practical steps chiefs can take to prepare their departments for a smooth and compliant transition. This webinar is sponsored by Alpine Software and presented by Tyler Gibbs of Alpine Software.

In-Person - Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP)
2026-05-15 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-16 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Wenatchee Convention Center, 121 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA, 98801, United States
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.
This course is being held at the 103rd Annual Fire School & Conference in Wenatchee, WA.
Available Sessions (choose one):
• Fri, May 15 | 8:00 AM–12:00 PM PT
• Fri, May 15 | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM PT
• Sat, May 16 | 8:00 AM–12:00 PM PT
• Sat, May 16 | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM PT
Instructor: Steve McClintock

Roundtable Talk - Shifting the Homeowner Mindset: Shared Responsibility in Wildfire Mitigation
2026-05-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Many homeowners rely solely on the fire department to protect their property during a wildfire – but that expectation does not reflect the reality of wildfire preparedness and response. Join the NVFC for this panel discussion that will explore the shared responsibility between fire departments and the communities they serve when it comes to wildfire mitigation. Attendees will gain a better understanding of common misconceptions around wildfire response and learn practical steps they can take to help residents protect their properties using available mitigation tools and resources.
Presenters: Mark Howell, Mike Johnson, Charlie Kludt (moderator), and Josh Nigro

In-Person - Teaching Hazmat Basics
2026-05-30 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Lanesborough Fire Department, 180 S Main Street, Lanesborough, MA, 01237, United States
This course covers the foundations of teaching hazmat response and safety. Attendees will learn how to connect their hazmat training to the risks faced by the student audience. They will walk away able to take a limited hazmat resource list and develop at least three practical skills trainings of direct benefit to their students. Finally, attendees will be able to develop training drills and/or exercises that meet the needs of their jurisdiction in accordance with recognized national standards.
Instructors: David Bullard and Freddie Bell
