NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium

Quick links: 2023 Event Overview • Hotel and Travel • Scholarships and Travel Stipends • CEUs • Call for Presentations • Sponsorship • Questions?

EVENT OVERVIEW

WHEN: Friday, March 17 – Saturday, March 18, 2023

WHERE: Black Hills State University-Rapid City | Box Elder, South Dakota

PURPOSE: This event will provide an opportunity to participate in valuable classroom training and share ideas and best practices with wildland firefighters and other stakeholders from across the Plains region. Attendees will have their choice of breakout sessions to attend, with sessions addressing key topics in wildland fire mitigation and response. The event will also feature keynote speakers, general sessions, networking events, and a mini vendor expo.

NETWORKING SOCIAL: The NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium features an evening networking social on Friday, March 17 to give you an opportunity to relax and connect with your colleagues. The social includes refreshments and a mini-expo. Families are welcome. Sponsorships are available!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: The conference is open to all wildland volunteer firefighters, department leadership, other fire department personnel, and those interested in learning more about community wildfire mitigation.

AGENDA: Coming soon.

REGISTER: The Symposium registration fee of $129 covers two full days of training from nationally-known instructors, networking lunches, breaks, and a networking event. Registration will open in late 2022. Pre-register here to get information as it becomes available! Attendance is limited!

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HOTEL AND TRAVEL

The 2023 NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium will be held at the Black Hills State University – Rapid City, 4300 Cheyenne Boulevard, Box Elder, SD 57719.

More information on travel and lodging options coming soon.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAVEL STIPENDS

The application period for travel stipends will open in fall 2022. More information coming soon.

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CEUs

More information coming soon.

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CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

The call for presentations is now open. All proposals are due by Saturday, October 15. Click here to submit your presentation proposal.

This wildland fire focused event will be an opportunity for fire and EMS personnel from across the region and country to participate in valuable classroom training as well as exchange ideas and best practices with their peers. The conference is focused on the Plains region, but open to department personnel nationwide. Breakout sessions will be of 90 minutes in length.

The 2023 NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium theme is Wildfires: From Mountain Peaks to Plains. Examples of relevant presentation topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Funding opportunities for wildfire mitigation initiatives
  • How to implement wildfire mitigation activities in a community
  • Raising wildfire community awareness
  • Community Wildfire Protection Plans
  • Evacuation plans
  • Volunteer wildfire response
  • Mutual aid/group initiatives
  • FEPP: acquisitions and pitfalls
  • Best practices with limited resources for VFDs in the wildland
  • Health or safety issues for wildland firefighters (PPE, equipment, training)
  • Incident Command in the wildland
  • Aviation communications

A peer review team will evaluate all presentation proposals. Selections will be made based on quality, relevance, focus, practical application, and the presenter’s experience and credentials. Notifications on a decision will be sent by November 15, 2022.

The NVFC will cover travel expenses and provide a stipend for selected presenters. Teaching teams are welcome to apply, but only one instructor per course can receive travel reimbursement/stipend. Please note, while organizations and companies are welcome to apply to share their subject matter expertise, all courses must be educational in nature.

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SPONSORSHIP

Sponsorship opportunities are available! To learn more, please contact Meg Goldberg, NVFC engagement manager, at meg@nvfc.org or 202-887-5700 x117. Sponsoring the Regional Wildland Symposium provides a unique opportunity to be in front of, and to highlight your brand and what you do to firefighters, EMTs, and rescue personnel from across the United States. It shows your commitment and support to the industry and NVFC.

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 QUESTIONS?

Contact Rachel Buczynski, conference planner, at Rachel@nvfc.org or 202-887-5700. Read about other NVFC training events:

NVFC Training Summits

NVFC Recruitment & Retention Experiences

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