National Volunteer Fire Council

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

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 - 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

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
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 – 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
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
2026-09-12 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

In-Person - Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2026-09-16 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Washington Hook & Ladder Co. #1, 272 County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ, 07094, United States

In-Person - Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services
2026-10-17 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Peoria Fire Academy, 7130 North Galena Rd, Peoria, IL, 61614, 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: Kait Meeker
To register email Kerry Federer at editor@illinoisfirefighters.org

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-10-17 14:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Peoria Fire Academy, 7130 North Galena Rd, Peoria, IL, 61614, 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: Bill Offerman
To register email Kerry Federer at editor@illinoisfirefighters.org

In-Person – EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-11-24 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Hastings Rural Volunteer Fire Station 10, 2985 S Baltimore Ave, Hastings, NE, 68901, 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: William Offerman

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-12-15 18:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Cheesequake Volunteer Fire Company, 113 Route 34, Matawan, NJ, 07747, United States
