Register for Four Free NVFC Online Training Events in May

May 5, 2026

The NVFC is hosting four free webinars and Roundtable Talks this month on a variety of topics. These include addressing volunteer firefighter training challenges (May 7), volunteer EMS recruitment and retention (May 12), what volunteer departments need to know about the shift to NERIS (May 13), and the shared responsibility in wildfire mitigation (May 19). Learn more about these webinars and register below, and view the full schedule of upcoming online events here.

Roundtable Talk – Training Under Pressure: Addressing Volunteer Firefighter Training Challenges
May 7 at 2pm ET
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 along with practical and actionable strategies for improving training efficiency, using training as a retention tool, and maintaining quality without overburdening volunteers. This event is sponsored by Vector Solutions.

Roundtable Talk – Crisis at the Crossroads: Addressing EMS Recruitment and Retention in Volunteer Departments
May 12 at 2pm ET
Many departments struggle to recruit and retain EMS volunteers while call volumes continue to increase. This Roundtable Talk will bring together fire and EMS leaders to explore the key challenges driving EMS recruitment and retention struggles and practical strategies to help departments attract new members and retain experienced ones for the long term.

Webinar – NFIRS to NERIS: What Volunteer Departments Need to Know Now
May 13 at 2pm ET
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, presented by Tyler Gibbs of Alpine Software, will provide volunteer fire service leaders with a practical overview of the transition from NFIRS to NERIS, what it means for department reporting, and steps chiefs can take to prepare their departments for a smooth and compliant transition. This webinar is sponsored by Alpine Software.

Roundtable Talk – Shifting the Homeowner Mindset: Shared Responsibility in Wildfire Mitigation
May 19 @ 2pm ET
Many homeowners rely solely on the fire department to protect their property during a wildfire – but that expectation does not reflect the reality of wildfire preparedness and response. This panel discussion will explore the shared responsibility between fire departments and the communities they serve when it comes to wildfire mitigation. Learn common misconceptions around wildfire response and steps you can take to help residents protect their properties using available mitigation tools and resources.