National Volunteer Fire Council

In-Person - Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
2025-09-20 14:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Illinois Fire Service Institute, 11 Gerty Dr, Col Dick Jaehne Bldg (Library), Champaign, IL, 61820, United States
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: Bill Offerman
To Register email Melanie Hall – mhall5@illinois.edu

In-Person - Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
2025-09-21 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | West Valley Fire Training Center, 10000 Zier Rd, Yakima, WA, 98908, United States
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: Paul Bearce
To register email Chief Nathan Craig: ncraig@ycfd12.org

NVFC 2025 Fall Board Conference
2025-09-22 - 2025-09-24 | DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City Downtown Convention Center, 505 N 5th Street, Rapid City, 57701, United States

In-Person - Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2025-09-22 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | West Valley Fire Training Center, 10000 Zier Rd, Yakima, WA, 98908, 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
To register email Chief Nathan Craig: ncraig@ycfd12.org

In-Person - Incident Safety Officer Training Series
2025-09-24 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Stockton Fire Department, 7252 6th Street, Custer, WI, 54423, 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: Brian Focht

NVFC Member Info Session: First Responder Helpline, Portal, and Resources
2025-09-25 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
You may be aware that the NVFC First Responder Helpline is available for assistance with a variety of work-life stresses. But do you know all the services that are available to you and your household family? Or that the corresponding MyBHS portal and app are filled with resources to support the health of you and your family, including webinars, articles, self-assessments, and other tools to help you focus on your wellbeing? This Info Session will go over the many services and resources available through the NVFC First Responder Helpline, portal, and app. This is a session you won’t want to miss!
NVFC Members can access registration information in Volunteer Voices and will be sent the registration link in an eblast on September 19. Not a member? Join here.

In-Person - Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2025-09-27 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Maynard Fire Station, 9500 Maynard Drive, Marcy, NY, 13403, 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: Jill Holland
Registration contact: Jared Pearl – japearl18@gmail.com

Webinar - Beyond the Hydrant: The Untapped Urgency of Pipeline Emergency Response Training
2025-09-30 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Pipelines run through thousands of U.S. communities, yet many volunteer fire departments are not adequately trained on how to respond should a pipeline incident occur. Join the NVFC for this webinar to learn the critical reasons why comprehensive pipeline emergency response training is essential for every responder. We’ll explore the unique risks and challenges associated with pipeline incidents, why traditional training isn’t effective, and how proper training and access to information are critical factors in ensuring responder and public safety. This webinar is sponsored by Buxus.
Presenters: David Bullard and John Holtan

In-Person - Essentials of Volunteer Retention and Recruitment and Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
2025-10-01 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Shenango Area Fire District – Station 1, 2424 E Washington St, New Castle, PA, 16101, United States
Essentials of Volunteer Retention & Recruitment –
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.
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: Dave Lewis
To register email Justin Data at admin@shenangofire.com.

In-Person - Incident Safety Officer Training & Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services
2025-10-04 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Madison County Emergency Operations Center, 1083 SW Harvey Greene Drive, Madison, FL, 32340, 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: David Bullard

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-10-04 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | South Windsor Fire Department – Company 1 (HQ), 1175 Ellington Rd, South Windsor, CT, 06074, 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.

In-Person - Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services
2025-10-08 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Socorro Convention Center, 1220 W Highway 60, Socorro, NM, 87801, 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: Paul Bearce
To register email Tomasita DeSoto at expo.nmemta@gmail.com.

In-Person - Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
2025-10-09 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Socorro Convention Center, 1220 W Highway 60, Socorro, NM, 87801, United States
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 – Paul Bearce
To register email Tomasita DeSoto at expo.nmemta@gmail.com.

In-Person - Instructor Training for Flammable Liquids
2025-10-10 18:30 - 21:30 (America/Denver) | MCFR Fire Admin/Training Facility, 413 Bataan Veterans Street, Gallup, NM, 87301, United States
This course focuses on the specific techniques and knowledge required to teach others about flammable liquids 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.

In-Person - Scenario-Based Hazmat Training
2025-10-11 08:30 - 15:30 (America/Denver) | MCFR Fire Admin/Training Facility, 413 Bataan Veterans Street, Gallup, NM, 87301, 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.

In-Person - Risk-Based Hazmat Training
2025-10-12 08:30 - 15:30 (America/Denver) | MCFR Fire Admin/Training Facility, 413 Bataan Veterans Street, Gallup, NM, 87301, United States
Proper planning starts with recognizing and analyzing risks. This course will cover the importance of the risk assessment process to hazmat response training. Attendees will learn how to incorporate the results of their hazmat risk assessment into hazmat training design and development. After completing this course, they will be able to identify key resources to help complete the assessment at the local, regional, and/or state level.

In-Person - Leadership for the Fire & Emergency Services
2025-10-17 15:30 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Holiday Inn, 110 Second Ave, Kearney, NE, 68847, 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. This course is being held at the Nebraska State Volunteer Fire Association’s annual meeting.
Instructor: Doug deBest
To register contact Taylor Moore at taylor@nsvfa.org or 402-761-2211.

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-10-18 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | LCEMS, 3565 W Genesee St, Lapeer, MI, 48446, 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 MI State Fireman’s Fall School.
Instructor: Brian Focht
To Register email bconnell1169@gmail.com

In-Person - Essentials of Volunteer Retention & Recruitment
2025-10-18 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Bangor Community Fire Department, 417 W Arlington St, Bangor, MI, 49013, 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 - Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
2025-10-18 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Bangor Community Fire Department, 417 W Arlington St, Bangor, MI, 49013, United States
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.

Webinar - Maximize Your NVFC Member Experience: Portal, Benefits, and More
2025-10-21 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Whether you are a brand new NVFC member, a longtime member looking for a refresher on your benefits, or a prospective member curious to see what the NVFC has to offer, we welcome you to this overview of NVFC membership! Join us for a walkthrough of the NVFC member portal, exclusive member benefits, and how to make the most of your membership.
Presenters: Alyssa Dara and Laura Towers

NVFC R&R Coffee Talk: Building a Positive Attitude and Culture
2025-10-23 19:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Join Dr. Candice McDonald, Chief Joel Cerny, and guest Darin Lintner for a 30-minute Coffee Talk focused on how to foster a positive attitude and culture in your department to aid in recruitment and retention and make your department a place people want to be. The session will include audience Q&A and open discussion.

In-Person - Incident Safety Officer Training Series & Leadership for the Fire & Emergency Services
2025-10-25 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Waldoboro Fire Department, 1600 Atlantic Highway, Waldoboro, ME, 04572, United States
Incident Safety Officer Training Series – 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 & 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

Roundtable Talk - Mentorship in the Fire Service: Building Stronger Members and Departments
2025-10-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Mentorship is a powerful tool to pass on knowledge, skills, and culture in the fire service. This NVFC Roundtable Talk will explore how mentorship programs can strengthen recruitment, retention, and leadership development in the fire service, creating stronger responders, teams, and departments. Panelists will share practical approaches for starting and sustaining mentor programs, lessons learned from their own departments, and ideas for creating a culture of support and growth.
Presenters: Joe Maruca, Candice McDonald (Moderator), Dr. Denis Onieal, and Tiger Schmittendorf

In-Person - Leadership for the Fire & Emergency Services
2025-10-28 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | North East Fire Co. Inc., 210 South Mauldin Ave, North East, MD, 21901, 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

Webinar - The Call to Service: Recruiting Veterans into Volunteer Emergency Service Departments
2025-11-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Veterans are a positive, reliable, and trusted resource for every community. A veteran never stops serving, and when called by their community, they will serve again. In honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month in November, the NVFC is hosting a webinar on how the volunteer emergency services can benefit by recruiting veterans onto their teams. Presenter Joe Danao, a veteran who serves as a firefighter/EMT, will provide background details on the veteran experience and how volunteer departments can actively engage with veterans and their families. With close to 8 million U.S. veterans between the ages of 20 and 59, there are ample opportunities to welcome and include veterans into the fire and emergency services.

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-11-06 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Ogden Dunes Fire Department, 111 Hillcrest Rd, Ogden Dunes, IN, 46368, 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 – Doug deBest

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-11-08 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Tolono FPD Station #1, 214 N Bourne St, Tolono, IL, 61880, 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

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-11-08 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Central Tech, 3 CT Circle, Drumright, OK, 74030, 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 training will require space outside for a hands-on component with an electric vehicle.
Instructor – Jeff Romines
To register email Bobbi Watts at bobbi.watts@centraltech.edu.

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2025-11-08 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Kronenwetter Fire Department, 1582 Kronenwetter Drive, Kronenwetter, WI, 54455, 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: Rob Ingram
