In-Person - Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success & Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2026-05-30 08:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Memorial Hall – Erskine College, 1 Bonner Circle, Due West, SC, 29639, 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.
Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
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.
Instructor: Dave Lewis

Roundtable Talk - Safety Stand Down 2026: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life
2026-06-02 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | MD
Are you fit for the fight? Safety Stand Down is coming up on June 14-20, a time when firefighters and EMS providers focus on critical health and safety issues so they can perform at their best, reduce injuries, and prevent line-of-duty deaths. This year’s theme is Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life. Join the NVFC and a panel of experts for this Roundtable Talk to help you get ready. Learn more about this year’s theme and the FITNESS daily topics, why fitness is an important part of responder readiness, and how you and your department can take part in Safety Stand Down. You’ll also learn about resources available to help you and your crew become Fit to Serve, Fit for Life.
Presenters: Quentin Cash, Shelby Hall, Dan Kerrigan, Eric Valliere, and Darin Wallentine (Moderator)

In-Person - Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2026-06-07 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Station #13, 13730 Maugansville Rd, Maugansville, MD, 21767, 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.
Instructor: Dave Lewis

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-06-10 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Ashland City Fire Department – Station 1, 402 N. Main Street, Ashland City, TN, 37015, 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: Ralph McNemar

In-Person - Teaching Cargo Tank Awareness
2026-06-10 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Washington Hook & Ladder Co. #1, 272 County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ, 07094, United States
This course focuses on cargo tank regulations and standards, including NFPA 470 and 49 CFR regulations as they relate to cargo tanks, especially the MC-306/DOT-306. Attendees will learn how to teach others about the various types of bulk cargo tanks used in the transport and handling of hazardous materials. They will walk away with an understanding of the general characteristics, lids, and closures on MC306/DOT-406 cargo tanks. Attendees will also learn about the most common incidents and risks with these cargo tanks so that they can plan appropriate training.
Instructor: Corey McCartney

In-Person - Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2026-06-12 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Stevensville High School, 300 Park Ave, Stevensville, MT, 59870, 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.
Instructor: Paul Bearce

Webinar - Right Gear, Right Response: The Case for Alternative PPE in the Volunteer Fire Service
2026-06-16 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | MD
Firefighters are trained to use the right tool for every job, but that principle doesn’t always carry over to PPE. Structural turnout gear is routinely used for EMS calls, MVAs, and technical rescues, leading to increased health risks, unnecessary wear on expensive equipment, and higher long-term costs. This webinar explores why alternative PPE – including wildland, technical rescue, and EMS-specific gear – is a critical strategy for today’s volunteer fire service, and how matching the right gear to the right response can improve safety, reduce PFAS exposure, and lower costs for your department. This webinar is sponsored by Ricochet.
Presenter: David Eskew

In-Person – EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-06-20 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Shepherd VFD Station 1, 5453 Carey Ave, Shepherd, MT, 59079, 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

NVFC Training Summit
2026-06-26 - 2026-06-27 | Renaissance Arlington Capital View, 2800 South Potomac Ave., Arlington, VA, 22202, United States
The NVFC’s annual conference, the NVFC Training Summit, focuses on volunteer responder health, safety, recruitment, retention, and leadership. Participate in valuable classroom training and share ideas and best practices with emergency responders from across the U.S.

In-Person - Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP)
2026-06-27 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Rangeley Public Safety, 15 School St, Rangeley, ME, 04970, 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.
Instructors: Art Howe and Josh Nigro

In-Person – EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-07-01 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | City of Niles Fire Department, 1345 E Main St, Niles, MI, 49120, 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 - The Power of Hope: Strengthening Resilience and Wellbeing in First Responders
2026-07-02 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Saluda County Emergency Operations Center, 175 Public Safety Dr, Saluda, SC, 29138, United States
First responders face unique and repeated stressors which wear down the systems for resilient thinking. This course explores the role of hope in first responder resilience. The course examines Dr. Richard Snyder’s Hope Theory and how it can be used to enhance resilience, wellbeing, and purpose for first responders – both personally and within your department. Topics include hope as it applies to moral injury, trauma, and agency, and the role of leadership, mentors, and peer support in cultivating hope in their responders.
Instructor: Marie Mire

In-Person - Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2026-07-08 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Phoenix) | Taos County Admin. Building, 105 Albright Street, Taos, NM, 87571, United States

In-Person - NVFC Hands-On: Regional Training Series
2026-07-11 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Wayne County Regional Training Facility, 2725 South Millborne Road, Apple Creek, OH, 44606, United States
Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services (4-6 hours): 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.
Planning and Implementing a Training Program (2 hours): 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.
Instructors: Brian Focht and Dave Lewis

In-Person - NVFC Hands-On: Regional Training Series
2026-07-12 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Wayne County Regional Training Facility, 2725 South Millborne Road, Apple Creek, OH, 44606, United States
Surviving the Job – Cancer in the Fire Service (2 hours): Cancer is a serious threat facing today’s fire service, but there are easy and low-cost ways you can lower your risks. These include the 11 best practices for firefighter cancer prevention as outlined in the Lavender Ribbon Report. This course will explain how to incorporate these life-saving practices into your daily routines to reduce your exposure risks and protect yourself and your fellow firefighters from occupational cancer.
Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success (4-6 hours): 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.
Instructors: Brian Focht and Dave Lewis

Webinar - Driving Change: K-12 Distracted Driving Prevention Programs for Your Community
2026-07-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | MD
We train for emergencies every day, but preventing them starts before the sirens. Just as we go into schools to teach kids about fire safety, we can teach them about distracted driving. Join this NVFC webinar to learn about K-12 programs you can immediately implement in your community — from reading programs for K-1 students to classroom lessons, middle and high school presentations, and train-the-trainer resources. These programs have been evaluated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and found to be effective in changing attitudes and behaviors surrounding distracted driving. Let’s stop talking about the problem and start doing something about it. The NVFC and the Casey Feldman Foundation are partnering to provide fire and EMS departments and community educators across the nation with copies of a book and activity guides to educate our youth on the importance of distraction free driving and speaking up when an adult is driving distracted. Learn how to obtain your copies during this webinar.
Presenter: Joel Feldman

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-07-18 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Carroll County Civic Center, 201 Mustang Dr., Huntingdon, TN, 38344, 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: Tom Miller

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-07-18 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix) | Bonneville County Fire District – Station 1, 2137 S Ammon Rd, Ammon, ID, 83401, 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: Anthony Gaul

In-Person – Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP)
2026-07-18 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Meridian Tech, 3025 S Division St, Guthrie, OK, 73044, 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.
Instructors: Mark Howell and Jeff Romines

In-Person - Teaching Hazmat on a Budget
2026-07-29 18:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Louisville Fire Department, 1011 Peachtree St., Louisville, GA, 30434, United States
Teaching hazmat to your responders doesn’t have to be a costly undertaking. In this course, attendees will learn how to identify the key components of a hazmat training budget, including direct/indirect cost planning and using a risk-based needs assessment, and then determine how to align goals with their budget. In addition, attendees will learn how to find free and low-cost training materials, resources, and opportunities to support their program. After completing this training, attendees will walk away able to develop a practical hazmat training session or drills using no/minimal cost resources.
Instructor: David Bullard

Webinar – Emotional Intelligence in Emergency Services Leadership
2026-08-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | MD
In today’s fast-paced and high-pressure emergency services environment, emotional intelligence is an essential leadership skill. Effective leaders must be able to recognize and understand their own leadership styles, emotional responses, and decision-making tendencies in order to positively influence not only emergency scenes, but also the most valued resource – their personnel.
This webinar explores the critical role emotional intelligence plays in fire and emergency services leadership. Participants will gain insight into the importance of self-awareness, relationship management, and leadership practices that foster trust, resilience, and professional excellence. Through practical discussion and real-world application, attendees will learn how emotionally intelligent leadership supports stronger teams, healthier volunteer cultures, and improved service delivery.
Presenter: Doug Cline

In-Person - Scenario-Based Hazmat Training
2026-08-09 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | North East Fire Company, Inc., 210 South Mauldin Ave., North East, MD, 21901, United States
This course focuses on the different types and scopes of scenarios that can be used in hazmat training. Attendees will learn the various student learning styles and how to use scenarios to bridge gaps in learning retention. The course will cover the concept of all hazards planning and how to engage key response stakeholders in scenario planning, training, and exercises.
Presenters: Corey McCartney and Tom Miller

In-Person - Scenario-Based Hazmat Training
2026-08-15 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix) | Bonneville County Fire District – Station 1, 2137 S Ammon Rd, Ammon, ID, 83401, United States
This course focuses on the different types and scopes of scenarios that can be used in hazmat training. Attendees will learn the various student learning styles and how to use scenarios to bridge gaps in learning retention. The course will cover the concept of all hazards planning and how to engage key response stakeholders in scenario planning, training, and exercises.
Instructors: Anthony Gaul & Bill Offerman

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-08-15 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Marion Community Fire Hall, 116 East Main Street, Marion, MI, 49665, United States

In-Person - Teaching Basic Decon
2026-08-28 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | WVU Medicine Ruby Memorial, 1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26505, 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.
Instructor: Tom Miller

In-Person – EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-08-29 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Delaware State Fire School, 1461 Chestnut Grove Road, Dover, DE, 19904, 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: Brian Focht

In-Person - Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2026-09-03 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Oktibbeha County 911 Dispatch Building, 106 E Main Street, Starkville, MS, 39759, United States

In-Person – EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-09-12 08:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Washington County Public Safety Training Center, 18350 Public Safety Pl, Hagerstown, MD, 21740, 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 - Teaching Hazmat Basics
2026-09-12 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Hale Community Hall, 121 3rd Street, Hale, MO, 64643, 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: Anthony Gaul & Bill Offerman

In-Person - Teaching Basic Decon
2026-09-13 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Hale Community Hall, 121 3rd Street, Hale, MO, 64643, 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: Anthony Gaul & Bill Offerman
