NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium

Quick links: 2023 Event Overview • Hotel and Travel • 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, museum tickets, 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: View event agenda. (Last updated 1/23/23)

REGISTER: The Symposium registration fee of $129 covers two full days of training from nationally-known instructors, networking lunches, breaks, and a networking event. Click here to register now. 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.

The NVFC has secured a room block at $135/night plus taxes at the Baymont Inn & Suites Rapid City, located right beside the university.  The Baymont features a free buffet breakfast, free parking, free WiFi, and an indoor pool. Secure your room by February 14. To reserve, email Olivia Kuehner, Sales Director, at groupsalesrc@gmail.com or call 605-791-5678 and mention the NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium.

  • You may also want to check travel sites such as Kayak.com or Expedia.com for sales (but make sure and read the fine print regarding cancellation and fees). Additionally, the Sleep Inn & Suites Rapid City is across the street from the Baymont if you’re looking for other options.

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TRAVEL STIPENDS

The travel stipend application period is now closed.

Travel stipends reimburse up to $600 of conference expenses, including hotel, transportation (airfare, mileage, cab/shuttle/rideshare), and the event registration fee. To be eligible for a travel stipend, you must be a current member of the NVFC. If you’re not a member, join for $21 at www.nvfc.org/join.

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CEUs

We are happy to announce that the NVFC Regional Wildland Symposium has been approved for CEUs through Columbia Southern University.

If you are interested in receiving a CEU certificate, please make sure that your attendance is accounted for each workshop attended, by either the provided sign the sign–in sheet or conference registration. At the conclusion of the conference an email will be sent to you from Columbia Southern University with further instructions on how to request your certificate and payment.

* Please note there is a $20.00 convenience fee from CSU associated with the service.

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CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

The call for presentations is now closed.

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
  • Wildfire mitigation or firefighting best practices for volunteer fire departments with limited resources
  • Volunteer wildfire response
  • Mutual aid/group initiatives
  • FEPP: acquisitions and pitfalls
  • 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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