NVFC Live Online Trainings

The NVFC offers the following live, virtual training opportunities, all of which are presented on Zoom:

Below are upcoming events. This page is updated as more trainings are added. If you miss a live webinar or Roundtable Talk, you can watch the recording in the NVFC Virtual Classroom. R&R Coffee Talks and Volunteer Voices Live events are not recorded.

To watch a recorded event, you will need to login to the NVFC Virtual Classroom. Don’t have an account? Click here and select “Set up an account.” It’s free to set up an account and gives you access to all the training you take through the NVFC. View a tutorial here.

NVFC R&R Coffee Talk: AI in Recruitment and Retention
July 23 @ 7pm ET
Presenters: Dr. Candice McDonald, Chief Joel Cerny, Quentin Cash
Join Dr. Candice McDonald and Chief Joel Cerny, along with guest Quentin Cash, for an interactive discussion on artificial intelligence in emergency service recruitment and retention. The session will run 30 minutes and include audience Q&A.

Webinar – Emotional Intelligence in Emergency Services Leadership
August 5 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Doug Cline
In today’s fast-paced and high-pressure emergency services environment, emotional intelligence is an essential leadership skill. Effective leaders must be able to recognize and understand their own leadership styles, emotional responses, and decision-making tendencies in order to positively influence not only emergency scenes, but also the most valued resource – their personnel. This webinar explores the critical role emotional intelligence plays in fire and emergency services leadership. Participants will gain insight into the importance of self-awareness, relationship management, and leadership practices that foster trust, resilience, and professional excellence. Through practical discussion and real-world application, attendees will learn how emotionally intelligent leadership supports stronger teams, healthier volunteer cultures, and improved service delivery.

Roundtable Talk – Solar Power Systems and the Fire Service: What Responders Need to Know
August 6 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: David Bullard (Moderator), Jasen Dodson, Bill Hopson, and Seth McPherson
As solar power systems become more common in homes and businesses, volunteer firefighters need to be ready for the unique challenges they present. This roundtable takes a practical, myth-busting approach to solar fire response — covering the three primary types of solar systems, Tesla battery classifications, and available suppression tools and tactics including PV extinguishers, tarps, and blankets. Panelists will explore what works, what doesn’t, and what every department needs to know before arriving on scene at a solar-involved incident.

Webinar – A Chief Officer’s Roadmap for Navigating Local Politics
August 11 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Jared Renshaw
Navigating local politics is a skill rarely taught, yet it can make or break a chief officer’s success. This webinar explores practical strategies for engaging political structures, building relationships with key stakeholders, and communicating departmental needs effectively. Attendees will gain tools to manage competing interests, build support, and turn political challenges into opportunities — strengthening both their leadership and their agency’s standing in the community.

Webinar – PFAS Free Firefighting Foams: What You Need to Know
August 18 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Brad Byczynski
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in many environments firefighters encounter – including past firefighting foam products. However, with health and environmental concerns related to PFAS, there is now a lot of attention on the new generation of Class B (flammable/combustible liquids) PFAS free synthetic firefighting foams. This webinar provides answers to many common questions about PFAS free firefighting foams and their effectiveness. Attendees will learn about the types of foams used in fire response, including wetting agents, and gain a better understanding of the challenges and concerns surrounding their use. In addition, it will dispel the myth that foam doesn’t work and explain how with the proper application percentage and correct technique, foam can be an effective tool in your response. This webinar will help attendees gain a clearer understanding about firefighting foams so they can make informed decisions on the fireground.

Webinar – Hometown Sound Off: Reaching Communities Served by Volunteer Fire Departments with Free Resources
September 2 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Meri-K Appy & Jessica Sondgeroth
Sound Off with the Home Fire Safety Patrol is a proven fire safety education and risk reduction program for young children and their families. Funded through a series of Fire Prevention & Safety Grants since 2014, Sound Off combines fun, video-based classroom lessons for students in grades 2 and 3, caregiver and family activities, free smoke alarm installation, and fire drill practice. The program now has state-level teams established in 34 states and nearly 300 active local teams, with documented results including a nearly 50% increase in student knowledge, 17 lives saved to date, and almost 80,000 smoke alarms installed. Join this NVFC webinar to learn how your department can bring Sound Off to your community, including how the program uses Community Risk Reduction (CRR) best practices to achieve measurable results, an overview of its free, professionally designed resources for reaching students and families, and ideas for delivering Sound Off through volunteer fire departments, with or without staff available to visit classrooms during the day.

Roundtable Talk – Fire Prevention Week: Reduce Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
September 10 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Maria Bostian, Charlotte (NC) Fire Department, Bruce Bouch, USFA, Michael McLeieer (Moderator), E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc., Sylvia Peace, Greenville Fire-Rescue (TX), and Kelly Ransdell, NFPA
Fire Prevention Week is October 4 – 10, 2026. This year’s theme – “Charge Into Fire Safety ™. Safe Charging is a Superpower” – focuses on the everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safer. This one-hour NVFC Roundtable Talk will bring subject matter experts together to share best-practices on ways fire and emergency service departments can engage citizens to practice safety when they plug in and power up.

Check out additional on-demand courses in the NVFC Virtual Classroom.