Webinar - Professionalism and Public Trust in the Volunteer Fire Service
2025-12-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Public trust is the foundation of every successful volunteer fire department. While the Maltese Cross firefighters wear symbolizes courage, service, and sacrifice, it also carries responsibility. Every action, every word, and every choice a firefighter makes reflects not only on the individual, but on the entire fire service family. Join presenter Tom Merrill for this webinar on how professionalism is critical in building and shaping trust, and how every member plays a vital role protecting the department’s reputation and upholding a tradition of excellence.
Presenter: Tom Merrill

In-Person - Incident Safety Officer Training; Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services; Surviving the Job - Cancer in the Fire Service
2026-01-10 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Ludington Fire Department, 918 East Tinkham Ave., Ludington, MI, 49431, United States
Incident Safety Officer Training Series (2 hours)
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 (2 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.
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.
Instructor: Brian Focht

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-01-10 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Lake Hamilton Fire, 1111 Hwy 290, Hot Springs, AR, 71913, 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 - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-01-17 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Camden County Regional Emergency Training Center, 420 Woodbury Turnersville Rd, Blackwood, NJ, 08012, 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 - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-01-24 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Treadway Volunteer Fire Department, 189 Hwy 131, Thorn Hill, TN, 37881, United States

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-02-07 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | East Thompson Volunteer Fire Department, 530 East Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT, 06277, United States

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-02-07 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Susquehanna County Public Safety Building, 210 Public Way, Suite 2, New Milford, PA, 18834, 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 - Building a Healthy and High-Performing Fire Department
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Woodstock Fire Department, 121 W Court Street, Woodstock, VA, 22664, 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
2026-02-20 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Tri-County Community College, Crisp Building, Room 100, 21 Campus Circle, Murphy, NC, 28909, 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
To register email Henry Angelopulos at hangelopulos@tricountycc.edu

In-Person - Teaching Basic Decon
2026-02-21 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Tri-County Community College, Crisp Building, Room 100, 21 Campus Circle, Murphy, NC, 28909, 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
To register email Henry Angelopulos at hangelopulos@tricountycc.edu

In-Person - EV/AFV Incident Management: Safety and Response Techniques
2026-02-21 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Blount County Multipurpose Center, 6700 Co Highway 1, Cleveland, AL, 35049, 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.

In-Person - Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services & Incident Safety Officer Training
2026-02-28 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department, 837 N. State Route 101, Tiffin, OH, 44883, 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.
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.
Instructor: Dave Lewis

In-Person - Surviving the Job - Cancer in the Fire Service & Incident Safety Officer Training
2026-03-10 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Newton Fire/Rescue, 8D Merrimac Rd, Newton, NH, 03858, United States
Surviving the Job: Cancer in the Fire Service – 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.
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.
Instructor: Dave Lewis
To register email John Alcaidinho at firechief@newtonnh.net

In-Person - Essentials of Volunteer Retention & Recruitment
2026-03-21 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave, York, NE, 68467, 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 – Doug Cline
To register email Taylor Moore at taylor@nsvfa.org.

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

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

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

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

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.
