National Volunteer Fire Council

In-Person - Wildland Fire Assessment Program
2025-06-10 09:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Essex Fire Department, 11 John Wise Ave, Essex, MA, 01929, United States
The Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP) will teach you how to work-side-by-side with homeowners to identify threats around their property that may be susceptible to wildfires. The WFAP is a joint effort between the National Volunteer Fire Council and the U.S. Forest Service to prepare fire department members with the necessary information, skills, and resources to conduct home safety assessments and provide residents with recommendations as to how to make their homes more fire adapted in the wildland-urban interface. Learn more at www.nvfc.org/wfap.
Day 1: WFAP – classroom session
Using Your Community’s Vulnerabilities to Raise Wildfire Awareness:
“Vulnerability” is not just for talking about our feelings! In terms of community risk reduction (CRR), vulnerability is the likelihood that an individual or group will suffer harm or loss from a hazardous situation, environment, or event. CRR specifically defines 5 types of vulnerability as they relate to hazards: human, social, economic, environmental, and political. All CRR models use those vulnerability types to determine high-risk areas in a community, and who
is at most risk from the hazards that exist. We can apply those vulnerability types to our own communities and personalize the risk that wildfire presents for different populations in our response areas. By doing so, we will raise community awareness of the dangers and long-term damages of wildfire, in turn helping our community members to embrace mitigation efforts and protection plans. Learn more at https://virtualclassroom.nvfc.org/.
Instructors – Josh Nigro and Art Howe

In-Person - Wildland Fire Assessment Program
2025-06-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Essex Fire Department, 11 John Wise Ave, Essex, MA, 01929, United States
The Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP) will teach you how to work-side-by-side with homeowners to identify threats around their property that may be susceptible to wildfires. The WFAP is a joint effort between the National Volunteer Fire Council and the U.S. Forest Service to prepare fire department members with the necessary information, skills, and resources to conduct home safety assessments and provide residents with recommendations as to how to make their homes more fire adapted in the wildland-urban interface. Learn more at www.nvfc.org/wfap.
Day 2: WFAP – Classroom Session and Hands-on Training
Introduction to the Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal:
Accurate and up-to-date wildfire risk information is critical for the effective and efficient implementation of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. The Northeast-Midwest Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal consists of a variety of data, user-friendly applications and planning tools that can be used to help prioritize areas in a federal, state, Tribal, community, local jurisdiction or landscape where tactical analyses, community interaction and education, or mitigation treatments that might be necessary to reduce risk from wildfires. Learn more at https://northeastmidwestwildfirerisk.com
Hands-on Training:
Put it into practice! You’ll evaluate a home in the community to gain a better understanding of a home assessment and put classroom knowledge into action. You will be outside, so dress appropriately.
Instructors – Josh Nigro and Art Howe

Roundtable Talk - Get Ready for Safety Stand Down 2025
2025-06-11 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
This year’s Safety Stand Down takes place June 15-21 with the theme “Break the Stigma: Behavioral Health RESET.” Fire and emergency service departments are asked to focus their training and education that week on the mental well-being of their crew and the daily topics of Recognize, Educate, Strategies, Empower, and Training. What does all this mean, and how can your department participate? Find out in this informative panel discussion! Learn why this year’s theme is so critical, resources and tools available, and what your department can do during Safety Stand Down and beyond. Safety Stand Down is a joint initiative of the IAFC, NVFC, IAFF, NFPA, and FDSOA.
Presenters: Jeff Dill, Bob Fash, Dr. Abby Morris, Dr. Kerry Ramella, and Chief Darin Wallentine (Moderator)

In-Person - Planning and Implementing a Training Program
2025-06-14 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix) | Maki Theater, 724 Louisiana Ave, Libby, MT, 59923, United States
This course reviews best practices for creating a robust training program in a volunteer fire department. You will learn how to ensure your training program produces positive outcomes, accomplishes training goals, and prepares members to run safe and effective operations.
Register by emailing Steve Lauer at: stevelauer@hotmail.com
This training is part of the 2025 Montana State Volunteer Firefighter Convention.

NVFC Training Summit
2025-06-20 - 2025-06-21 | Salt Lake City Marriott City Center, 220 S. State St., Salt Lake City, UT, 84111, United States
The NVFC’s signature conference is an opportunity to participate in valuable classroom training and share ideas and best practices with emergency responders from across the U.S. Attendees can choose from breakout sessions addressing key topics in three tracks: first responder health, safety and training; leadership; and recruitment and retention. Travel stipends are available.

Webinar - The Continuing Evolution of Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage System Design and Safety
2025-07-08 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
As the deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the U.S. accelerates, it’s critical for project developers, owners, and operators to engage with local firefighters to provide detailed information about advances in BESS technology, codes and standards, safety systems, and facility design to support effective emergency planning, hazard mitigation, and incident response. This presentation by AES’ leading engineer in BESS technology will provide volunteer firefighters with critical knowledge about today’s BESS systems so that firefighters have a stronger understanding of BESS installations and the safety systems now in place, if they ever have to respond to an event at one of these facilities. This webinar is sponsored by AES.
Presenter: Mike Simpson

In-Person - Teaching Hazmat Basics
2025-07-12 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Coolville Volunteer Fire Department, 2770 Sixth Street, Coolville, OH, 45723, 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.

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-07-19 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | McLaren Bay Region Lincoln Center, 820 S Lincoln St, Bay City, MI, 48708, 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 sponsored by General Motors 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.

Webinar - Inform, Educate, Alert, Recruit, and Raise Funds with Nextdoor
2025-07-24 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Unlock the full potential of community engagement with our invaluable webinar on leveraging Nextdoor for your emergency services department.
Imagine having a platform where your entire neighborhood is already tuned in and ready to hear from you. With a free Nextdoor page, you get an auto-subscribed audience of verified community members, ensuring that every message you send reaches real people who care.
Join us in this comprehensive webinar to discover how volunteer fire departments across the country are harnessing the power of Nextdoor to make a tangible impact. Learn firsthand from your peers as they share their success stories on:
Alerting residents to shelter in place, avoid the area, or evacuate.
Informing the community about critical incidents in real time.
Educating residents on their vital roles in fire prevention and risk reduction.
Recruiting dedicated new members who are passionate about serving.
Raising essential funds to support and sustain crucial operations.
But that’s not all. We will also dive deep into best practices designed to boost your engagement levels and ensure your messages stand out. Plus, gain exclusive access to a comprehensive content library featuring pre-written posts and expertly designed graphics, all explicitly formatted for Nextdoor in collaboration with the NFPA.
Don’t miss this opportunity to transform how your fire department communicates, educates, recruits, and raises funds. Sign up now, and let’s work together to create safer, more connected communities!

In-Person - Essentials of Volunteer Retention and Recruitment
2025-07-24 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Woodstock Fire Department, 121 W Court Street, Woodstock, VA, 22664, United States
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 importance of leadership will also be covered.

In-Person - Creating a Psychologically Healthy Fire Department
2025-07-31 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130, United States
This course from the National Volunteer Fire Council 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.
Register by emailing Dwayne Thevis at: secretary@lsfa.net

Roundtable Talk - Diving Deeper: Fires and Non-Fire Emergencies in Big Box Facilities
2025-07-31 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Following up on the December 2024 Roundtable Talk on big-box fires, this session will further explore how volunteer fire departments can prepare for emergency responses to big-box facilities. In small towns, where land is less expensive and highway/interstate access is convenient, big box facilities such as distribution centers, warehouses, and industrial spaces continue to absorb land. Often these facilities are in the coverage area of volunteer fire departments that have limited resources. To respond efficiently and safely, it is important to prepare for the challenges ahead. While sprinklers contain the fire, firefighters still have search, rescue, extinguishment, salvage, and overhaul. Join the NVFC and a panel of experts for this Roundtable Talk to dive deeper into big-box fire and non-fire emergency response.
Presenters: Mike Dugan, Clark Lamping, and Tom Merrill (Moderator)

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-08-02 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Mont Belvieu Fire Station, 11607 Eagle Drive, Mont Belvieu, TX, 77580, 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 sponsored by General Motors 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.
Instructor: David Bullard

South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo
2025-08-06 - 2025-08-09 | Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Visit the NVFC at booth 308.

FASNY Annual Convention
2025-08-07 - 2025-08-09 | Hyatt Regency Long Island, 1717 Motor Pkwy., Hauppauge, NY, 11788, United States

Webinar - Fire Up Your Recruitment Game: Harnessing Digital Tools for Recruitment Success
2025-08-07 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
In today’s challenging recruitment landscape, volunteer fire departments face unprecedented hurdles in attracting and retaining dedicated volunteers. In this webinar, presenter Katie Bulla will discuss a variety of free and cheap online tools that can significantly simplify recruitment efforts and the application process. Harness the technology of today to overcome the recruitment challenges of our times, ensuring your department continues to serve the community effectively. Learn how these digital solutions can help you bridge the gap between potential volunteers and your department’s needs, ultimately strengthening your team and ensuring the safety of your community.
Presenter: Katie Bulla

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-08-09 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Lacon Fire Station, 921 5th Street, Lacon, IL, 61540, United States

Fire-Rescue International
2025-08-13 - 2025-08-15 | Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819, United States
Visit the NVFC at booth 2052.

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-08-16 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Pegram Fire Department, 308 Hwy 70, Pegram, TN, 37143, 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 sponsored by General Motors 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.
Instructor: TBD
To Register email John Sullivan – jmsullivan563@gmail.com

Roundtable Talk - Different Generations, One Mission: Making It Work in the Firehouse
2025-08-19 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Today’s fire service teams include everyone from fresh-faced recruits to seasoned veterans – and that’s a good thing. But with different generations come different communication styles, work habits, and expectations. So how do you make it all run smoothly? Join the NVFC for this interactive webinar to explore how to build stronger, more cohesive crews by understanding and valuing the unique strengths each generation brings to the table. Whether you’re a new firefighter, a long-time leader, or somewhere in between, you’ll walk away with practical tools to improve communication, boost team morale, and bridge generational gaps in the station and on the fireground. This down-to-earth conversation will include what it really takes to create a culture of respect, learning, and collaboration – no matter what year you joined the service or when you were born.
Presenters: Walter Campbell, Quentin Cash, Pam Rogers, and Joe Maruca (Moderator)

R&R Coffee Talk: Developing Recognition Programs
2025-08-21 19:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Join Dr. Candice McDonald and Chief Joel Cerny, along with guest Anthony Kastros, for an interactive discussion on developing recognition programs. The session will run 30 minutes and include audience Q&A. This Coffee Talk is sponsored by Wendell’s Mint.

Maine State Federation of Firefighters Convention
2025-09-12 - 2025-09-13 | Fryeburg Fairgrounds, Fryeburg, ME, United States

In-Person - Planning and Implementing a Training Program
2025-09-12 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Old Forge Drill School, 116 Fulton St, Old Forge, NY, 13420, United States
This course reviews best practices for creating a robust training program in a volunteer fire department. You will learn how to ensure your training program produces positive outcomes, accomplishes training goals, and prepares members to run safe and effective operations.
Register by emailing Brian McQueen at: 271believe@gmail.com

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-09-13 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Dickson Fire Department, 5431 Hwy 99, Ardmore, OK, 73401, United States

Roundtable Talk - Protecting Communities: Planning for Fire Prevention Week and Beyond
2025-09-16 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Fire Prevention Week (FPW) will take place October 5-11, 2025, with the theme “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” Join the NVFC for a live panel discussion to learn more about this year’s theme, how your department can participate in FPW, and tips and ideas you can use for public education throughout the year.
Presenters: Don Ortega, Lt. Maria Pelchar, and Michael McLeieer (Moderator)

In-Person - Essentials of Volunteer Retention & Recruitment
2025-09-16 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | North East Fire Co. Inc., 210 South Mauldin Ave, North East, MD, 21901, United States
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 importance of leadership will also be covered.
Instructor: Dave Lewis

R&R Coffee Talk - Fire Prevention Education
2025-09-18 19:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Join Dr. Candice McDonald and Chief Joel Cerny, with guests Ken Brown and Kelly Ransdell, for an interactive discussion on fire prevention education. The session will run 30 minutes and include audience Q&A.

In-Person - Incident Safety Officer Training Series
2025-09-19 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Illinois Fire Service Institute, 11 Gerty Dr, Col Dick Jaehne Bldg (Library), Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
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: Bill Offerman
To Register email Melanie Hall – mhall5@illinois.edu

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-09-20 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Illinois Fire Service Institute, 11 Gerty Dr, Col Dick Jaehne Bldg (Library), Champaign, IL, 61820, 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 sponsored by General Motors 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 course is being held at the Illinois Firefighter’s Association Annual Conference.
Instructor: Bill Offerman
To Register email Melanie Hall – mhall5@illinois.edu

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-09-20 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Metz Volunteer Fire Department, 2105 S 800 E, Angola, IN, 46703, 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 sponsored by General Motors 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.
Instructor: Anthony Gaul
