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.

Webinar – Smarter, Not Harder: Using AI to Support Volunteer Responder Recruitment & Retention
March 11 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Daniel Chapek
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a practical and accessible tool for volunteer fire and EMS departments without being complicated, expensive, or replacing the people at the heart of the fire service. This NVFC webinar presented by Daniel Chapek will explore how volunteer departments can use simple, easy-to-adopt AI tools to support recruitment, retention, and member engagement. Designed for all experience levels, the session focuses on real-world applications rather than technical jargon, including creating recruitment and outreach materials, reaching diverse audiences, organizing and analyzing existing data, supporting grant writing, and assisting with training and onboarding efforts. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what AI is – and what it is not – and leave with practical ideas they can apply immediately, regardless of department size or budget.

Webinar – NIOSH Report Review: Improving Volunteer Firefighter Safety in Privately Owned Vehicles
March 17 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Rick Lago
On July 15, 2025, a volunteer firefighter died and another was injured as the result of a crash while responding in a privately owned vehicle. The incident was investigated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) so that the fire service can learn from this incident and prevent future tragedies. In this presentation, investigator Rick Lago will share the incident details, contributing factors that led to the fatality and injury, and recommendations to help fire departments prevent future incidents involving POV response.

Roundtable Talk – Strengthening Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Through Effective Social Media
March 19 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Savannah Maddison, Brittney Deo, Tim Gibson, and Walter Campbell (Moderator)
Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with your community and showcasing the value of volunteer service. This roundtable talk will explore strategies for using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to enhance recruitment and retention efforts. Participants will learn how to highlight their department’s culture, share compelling stories, engage prospective volunteers, and build an online presence that supports long-term membership growth. Practical tips, examples, and best practices will be provided to help departments maximize their reach and strengthen their R&R initiatives.

Webinar – Building Stronger Fire Service Teams: Leadership Lessons from Home and Abroad
March 26 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Nancy Moore, José Ngunjiri, Kevin Quinn, and Amber Lynn Scott
Effective team dynamics and leadership are critical to firefighter safety and operational success. This webinar explores how research-based teamwork principles and real-world experience – both in the U.S. and internationally – can strengthen fire service performance. Kevin Quinn, NVFC past chair and Africa Fire Mission (AFM) instructor, and Jose Ngunjiri, AFM Fire Safety Officer based in Kenya, will share lessons learned from training fire services across Africa, highlighting leadership, communication, and trust in high-risk, resource-limited environments. Amber Lynn Scott from the University of Kentucky will also share initial research on team dynamics and its relevance to volunteer and combination departments. Participants will also gain insight into how U.S. firefighters can engage in meaningful international training efforts while bringing practical leadership and teamwork lessons back to their home departments.

Webinar – Maximize Your NVFC Member Experience: Portal, Benefits, and More
April 14 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Alyssa Dara and Laura Towers
Are you making the most of your NVFC membership? Whether you are a new member, a longtime member looking for a refresher, or a prospective member interested in learning more, this webinar will help you take full advantage of all the NVFC has to offer. Join us on April 14 at 2 pm ET for a walkthrough of the NVFC member portal, an overview of exclusive member benefits, and practical tips for getting the most value from your membership.

Roundtable Talk – Training Under Pressure — Addressing Volunteer Firefighter Training Challenges
May 7 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Robbi King and Matt Shronts
Volunteer fire departments face increasing challenges delivering effective training amid limited time, budgets, and growing operational demands. This Roundtable Talk will explore common training barriers, including balancing requirements with personal and professional commitments, securing resources, and ensuring training supports firefighter safety and operational readiness. Panelists will share practical strategies for improving training efficiency, using training as a retention tool, and maintaining quality without overburdening volunteers. This discussion is designed for volunteer fire service leaders and training officers seeking actionable ideas to strengthen their training programs.

This Roundtable Talk is sponsored by  .

Webinar – NFIRS to NERIS: What Volunteer Departments Need to Know Now
May 13 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Tyler Gibbs
The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) sunset on January 31, and the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is now the nation’s primary system for collecting fire incident data. This webinar will provide volunteer fire service leaders with a practical overview of the transition from NFIRS to NERIS and what it means for department reporting. We’ll cover why the change is happening, key differences in structure and validation requirements, and the increased emphasis on accurate timelines, actions taken, and personnel documentation. The webinar will also address common misconceptions and outline practical steps chiefs can take to prepare their departments for a smooth and compliant transition.

This webinar is sponsored by

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