Train Like You Fight with Resources from the NVFC

June 18, 2014

The theme of this year’s International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week is “Train Like You Fight.” Part of the focus is on making sure personnel get adequate training to prepare for safe fireground operations. The NVFC offers many resources to help your department achieve this goal.

  • NVFC Virtual Classroom: The NVFC offers a series of on-demand, self-paced, low-cost courses that volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel can take on their own schedule. The courses cover a wide range of topic areas, including health and safety, grants and funding, leadership, recruitment and retention, wildland fire assessments, Fire Corps, and junior firefighter programs. NVFC members get a discount off of the courses.
  • Training Resources: This list of training and educational opportunities available to first responders includes options available at the federal, state, local, college, and specialized levels. Many of the trainings included are available free of charge.
  • Safety and Health Week Training Resources: As part of the Safety and Health Week web site, this online resource center provides first responders with links in the areas of Recommendations, Best Practices, and Standards; Personal Protective Equipment; and Training Courses and Opportunities.
  • NVFC White Paper on Training: The NVFC is committed to ensuring that volunteer firefighters have an appropriate level of training to safely and effectively carry out their responsibilities. As part of its efforts, the NVFC released a white paper concerning training in the volunteer fire service.
  • NVFC Policy Statement on Minimum Training Standards: The NVFC recommends that all volunteer fire departments in the United States set a goal that personnel attain, at a minimum, a level of training that meets or exceeds NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications or an equivalent state standard in order to engage in fire suppression.
  • Recorded Webinars: The NVFC periodically holds live webinars on a variety of fire and emergency services topics. These webinars are recorded for continued access. Webinars currently available focus on a range of topics from equipment management, to carbon monoxide, to health and wellness, to reputation management, and more.