The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is excited to celebrate 50 years of supporting and advocating for the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The organization was founded to serve as the voice of the volunteer emergency services on a national level, and we strive continuously to provide the resources, information, training, advocacy, and programs that help volunteer responders and departments thrive. We hope you will enjoy this trip down memory lane at some of the highlights and milestones that have gotten us to this point. For a deeper dive into what we did in our most recent calendar year, view our Annual Report and Infographic for 2025.
“A giant was awakened!” read the opening line of the recap from the March 15, 1976, meeting that officially formed the NVFC as the only national organization representing the interests of the volunteer fire and emergency services. Photo: An undated photo of volunteer firefighters being recognized at the U.S. Capitol.
NVFC membership was at 18 state associations, 106 departments, and 4 corporate members. The NVFC launched its annual award program with its first award for lifetime achievement. Photo: An undated photo of an NVFC committee meeting. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/awards (NVFC annual awards).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency purchased land in Emmitsburg, MD, to house the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the new National Fire Academy, which held its first on-campus courses in 1980. Also in 1979, the Stonebridge Conference was held to spell out the needs of volunteer responders to the USFA. For all of its 50-year existence, the NVFC has advocated for the volunteers on the national stage. Photo: The NVFC has testified before Congress on behalf of the volunteer fire service many times, including in this undated photo of E. James Monihan speaking at a Congressional hearing.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial was dedicated in Emmitsburg, MD, to honor the nation’s fallen firefighters. Photo: The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, taken in 2016.
The NVFC hosted a regional meeting of the Federation of World Volunteer Firefighters (FWVF) in Seattle. Photo: Participants at the Seattle meeting of the FWVF.
Anheuser-Busch honored volunteer firefighters and NVFC members with its Rose Bowl float. Photo: Newspaper clipping describing the Anheuser-Busch parade float.
The Congressional Fire Services Caucus was formed to support bipartisan legislation benefiting emergency personnel. Photo: Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, visited the NVFC office in 2016.
The NVFC Foundation was established, which continued until 2019. Photo: The NVFC held an auction each year benefiting the Foundation, including this one at the NVFC’s 25th anniversary meeting.
Congress authorized the minting of the Benjamin Franklin Firefighters Silver Medal; proceeds from the sale from these medals supported several fire service organizations including the NVFC. Photo: NVFC then-Chair Robert “Red” McKeon helped unveil the Benjamin Franklin Firefighters Silver Medal.
The NVFC 21st Century Fund was incorporated thanks to a series of large donations from U.S. Tobacco for the purposes of education, training, recruitment and retention, and the purchase of personal protective equipment. Photo: Undated photo of an early NVFC trade show booth.
The FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act included language that established the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), which funds critical equipment, gear, training, and vehicles fire departments need to protect their communities. Photo: An event on Capitol Hill highlighting the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (F.I.R.E.) Act to establish the AFG program.
The FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act included language that established the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, which supports the hiring of career firefighters and recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. Also that year, the NVFC launched the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program. Photo: The Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program booth at the Alaska State Firefighters Association conference in 2007 featured health screenings. Learn more: www.healthy-firefighter.org (Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program)
NVFC launched Fire Corps to help local departments connect with community volunteers to perform non-operational tasks such as administration, public education, rehab, fundraising, and much more. Photo: Members of the Johnson County (AR) Rural Fire District #1 Fire Corps program in 2007. Learn more: www.firecorps.org
The NVFC launched the National Junior Firefighter Program to help foster the next generation of firefighters and EMS providers. Photo: Then-NFL player and volunteer firefighter Erron Kinney was joined by junior firefighters to help the NVFC launch the National Junior Firefighter Program during Firehouse Expo. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/juniors
The NVFC created the EMS/Rescue Section. Photo: EMS providers from Town of Canton (CT) Fire & EMS, taken in 2021. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/ems-rescue-section
Two NVFC milestones occurred. The NVFC partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to launch the Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP) to help volunteer departments advise residents in the wildland-urban interface how to better prepare their homes for wildfire, and the NVFC’s newsletter The Dispatch transitioned from a print publication to a digital format. Photo: WFAP training held in Oklahoma in 2018. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/wfap (WFAP) and www.nvfc.org/news (sign up for the Dispatch newsletter)
The Globe® Gear Giveaway (now MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway) launched in partnership with the NVFC to provide local volunteer fire departments with needed turnout gear to enhance the safety of firefighters. Photo: The Mapleton (PA) Fire Department received gear as part of the 2012 Globe Gear Giveaway. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/gear
Two NVFC milestones occurred. The NVFC launched the Share the Load Program to focus on responder mental wellbeing, and the first NVFC Training Summit was held. Photo: Attendees of the inaugural NVFC Training Summit, which took place in Myrtle Beach, SC. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/help (Share the Load) and www.nvfc.org/summit (NVFC Training Summit)
NVFC launched Make Me A Firefighter, a SAFER-funded program to help local fire departments recruit and retain volunteers and connect community members with volunteer opportunities. Photo: Then-NVFC Chair Kevin D. Quinn was joined by local volunteer firefighters for a press event to launch the Make Me A Firefighter campaign. Learn more: www.makemeafirefighter.org
The NVFC launched its annual print publication, Firefighter Strong. Each issue features articles, tools, and resources relating to critical fire service topics including health, safety, recruitment, retention, training, and leadership. Photo: Cover of the first issue of Firefighter Strong. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/nvfc-firefighter-strong-newsletter/
The Anheuser-Busch Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program launched. Through this partnership with the NVFC, Anheuser-Busch donates 1.5 million cans of water annually to local volunteer fire departments to help them prepare for wildfires and other emergencies. Photo: The Rockerville (SD) Volunteer Fire Department was a 2019 water recipient. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/water
The State Farm® Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program launched. In the first year of the program, State Farm teamed up with the NVFC to provide $1 million in grants to local volunteer fire departments. Starting in 2025, the total annual grants increased to $1.5 million. Photo: The Harris (MN) Fire Department was one of the 2024 recipients of a $10,000 equipment grant from State Farm. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/statefarm
The NVFC reached a milestone of over 40,000 individual members. Photo: Celebrating 40,000 members at the 2025 spring board conference. Learn more: www.nvfc.org/join
The NVFC celebrates its 50th anniversary. It has 48 state association members, over 42,000 individual members, and 50 corporate members. Photo: NVFC board of directors (and a few friends) in September 2025.
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