NVFC Board Elects Officers, Tackles Strategic Plan at 2025 Spring Conference

May 13, 2025

NVFC Board of Directors

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors met on May 8-10 in Alexandria, VA, for its annual spring conference. The board is comprised of up to two representatives from 48 state fire associations and meets as a whole twice a year to conduct business, hold committee meetings, and steer the direction of the organization.

Sixty-five directors from 43 state associations were in attendance. The jam-packed event featured officer and Executive Committee elections, a strategic planning session, and an awards banquet.

Left to right: Paul Lukus (chair of the nominating committee) with NVFC officers Steve Hirsch, Dallas Renfrew, Reid Vaughan, and Bob Guthrie

NVFC Elections

Elections were held to select the NVFC’s officers and Executive Committee members for the 2025-2027 term. The results are as follows:

Chair: Steve Hirsch (KS)
First Vice Chair: Dallas Renfrew (TX)
Second Vice Chair: Reid Vaughan (AL)
Secretary/Treasurer: Bob Guthrie (CT)
Executive Committee: Quentin Cash (NC), Steve McClintock (NV), Brian McQueen (NY), Sheri Nickel (OK), Bill Offerman (IL), Pat Thompson (KY, chair of the Legislative Committee); Eric Quinney (WY, chair of the EMS/Rescue Section)

The NVFC EMS/Rescue Section also held elections, with the following results:

Chair: Eric Quinney (WY)
Vice Chair: Jules Scadden (IA)
Secretary/Treasurer: T.J. Nedrow (WA)
Directors-at-Large: Brian Foley (NJ), Brian Moon (SC), Ed Mund (WA), Curtis Shirley (AL), Marv Trimble (IA)
NVFC Board Representative: Ken Brown (VA)

Health, Safety and Training Committee Meeting

NVFC Business

Several committees met to discuss a range of issues, from legislation and standards and codes, to wildland, recruitment and retention, and health, safety, and training. The EMS/Rescue Section also held its bi-annual meeting.

In addition, the board conducted a strategic planning session as the first step to developing the strategic plan that will guide the direction of the organization for the next five years.

Left to right: Award recipients David Denniston, Jiya Jadhav, Jeremy Sonenschein, and Brian McQueen.

Awards Celebration

On May 9, the board gathered to celebrate and honor the recipients of the NVFC’s 2025 achievements awards:

  • David Denniston, William J. Darley Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Darley
  • Jeremy Sonenschein, Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health & Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems
  • Jiya Jadhav, Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty
  • West Virginia University Fire Service Extension Junior Firefighter Camp, Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty
  • Brian McQueen, E. James Monihan Director Award, sponsored by Provident

Learn more about the award winners here.

Spring Conference Sponsors

The NVFC thanks the following sponsors for their support of the NVFC Spring Conference: AES, Anheuser-Busch Foundation, Clarion UX’s Fire & Rescue Group, Columbia Southern University, ESIP, F.I.E.R.O., FirstNet Built with AT&T, National Fire Protection Association, Provident, State Farm®, Tesla, Wendell’s Mint

Fall Conference

The next board conference will take place September 22-24 in Rapid City, SD.​

The NVFC Executive Committee

Recruitment and Retention Committee

The NVFC celebrated reaching 40,000 members

Alexandria (VA) Fire Department Honor Guard
Chairman’s Lunch

Strategic planning session