National Volunteer Fire Council Marks 45th Anniversary in March 2021

March 9, 2021

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) first convened as an organization on March 15, 1976. At that meeting, representatives from 18 state associations gathered to lay the framework for the association that serves as the voice of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services.

This historic meeting was the culmination of months of groundwork and discussions as to the need for an organization to represent volunteers in matters of national interest, to Congress and federal agencies, and in working with other national fire service organizations. The result was the birth of the National Volunteer Fire Council. Minutes captured from that first meeting in 1976 aptly noted that “a giant awakened.” The NVFC has been serving the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue communities ever since.

“We are proud to be the organization that serves the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services as these men and women are the backbone of our communities,” said NVFC chair Steve Hirsch. “While we have significantly grown and expanded since 1976, we remain true to our mission to provide a unified voice for volunteer fire/EMS organizations. These are neighbors helping neighbors, and the NVFC is here to support volunteers in every way we can.”

The NVFC currently consists of 47 state fire associations, approximately 25,000 individual members, and over 50 corporate members. The organization implements unique and award-winning programs such as the Make Me A Firefighter recruitment and retention campaign, Share the Load behavioral health support program, National Junior Firefighter Program, Fire Corps, Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, and the Wildland Fire Assessment Program. In addition, the NVFC provides training, resources, and advocacy to help the volunteer emergency services thrive.

Learn more about the NVFC and all the ways it is working for the volunteer fire and emergency services community on the NVFC web site and from the 2020 Annual Report and infographic. Join the NVFC and be part of the organization working for volunteers while taking advantage of great member benefits at www.nvfc.org/join.