NVFC Live Online Trainings

The NVFC offers the following live, virtual training opportunities, all of which are presented on Zoom:

Below are upcoming events. This page is updated as more trainings are added. If you miss a live webinar or Roundtable Talk, you can watch the recording in the NVFC Virtual Classroom. R&R Coffee Talks and Volunteer Voices Live events are not recorded.

To watch a recorded event, you will need to login to the NVFC Virtual Classroom. Don’t have an account? Click here and select “Set up an account.” It’s free to set up an account and gives you access to all the training you take through the NVFC. View a tutorial here.

Webinar – PFAS Free Firefighting Foams: What You Need to Know
August 18 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Brad Byczynski
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in many environments firefighters encounter – including past firefighting foam products. However, with health and environmental concerns related to PFAS, there is now a lot of attention on the new generation of Class B (flammable/combustible liquids) PFAS free synthetic firefighting foams. This webinar provides answers to many common questions about PFAS free firefighting foams and their effectiveness. Attendees will learn about the types of foams used in fire response, including wetting agents, and gain a better understanding of the challenges and concerns surrounding their use. In addition, it will dispel the myth that foam doesn’t work and explain how with the proper application percentage and correct technique, foam can be an effective tool in your response. This webinar will help attendees gain a clearer understanding about firefighting foams so they can make informed decisions on the fireground.

Roundtable Talk – Understanding and Demystifying Battery Storage Systems and the Fire Service
August 27 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Brendan Cuffe, Bennett Fuson (Moderator), and Eric Wood
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities have become one of the fastest-growing energy infrastructure development trends across the country. Many of these systems are operating or will be built in communities served by volunteer fire districts, bringing new opportunities and considerations to safely engage these facilities. This Roundtable Talk explores BESS infrastructure and development processes regulated by NFPA 855, and how fire safety standards shapes developer responsibility and first responder engagement, from project design through operation. Panelists will share lessons learned from real-world projects and address common concerns about planning and responding to potential fire incidents. The discussion will highlight training, coordination, and communication as the key investments for building readiness around these facilities.

This Roundtable Talk is sponsored by 

Webinar – Building Local Training with Community Risk Reduction: A Five E’s Approach
September 1 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Ken Brown
Join this NVFC webinar to learn how fire departments can build training and lesson plans tailored to their own communities using Community Risk Reduction (CRR) principles. This session will cover how to identify local hazards and priorities, and how to develop targeted public education using the five E’s — education, engineering, enforcement, economic incentives, and emergency response. Attendees will also hear how Virginia has successfully applied this model, offering a real-world example of CRR in action.

This webinar is sponsored by 

Webinar – Hometown Sound Off: Reaching Communities Served by Volunteer Fire Departments with Free Resources
September 2 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Meri-K Appy & Jessica Sondgeroth
Sound Off with the Home Fire Safety Patrol is a proven fire safety education and risk reduction program for young children and their families. Funded through a series of Fire Prevention & Safety Grants since 2014, Sound Off combines fun, video-based classroom lessons for students in grades 2 and 3, caregiver and family activities, free smoke alarm installation, and fire drill practice. The program now has state-level teams established in 34 states and nearly 300 active local teams, with documented results including a nearly 50% increase in student knowledge, 17 lives saved to date, and almost 80,000 smoke alarms installed. Join this NVFC webinar to learn how your department can bring Sound Off to your community, including how the program uses Community Risk Reduction (CRR) best practices to achieve measurable results, an overview of its free, professionally designed resources for reaching students and families, and ideas for delivering Sound Off through volunteer fire departments, with or without staff available to visit classrooms during the day.

Roundtable Talk – Fire Prevention Week: Reduce Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
September 10 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Maria Bostian, Charlotte (NC) Fire Department, Bruce Bouch, USFA, Michael McLeieer (Moderator), E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc., Sylvia Peace, Greenville Fire-Rescue (TX), and Kelly Ransdell, NFPA
Fire Prevention Week is October 4 – 10, 2026. This year’s theme – “Charge Into Fire Safety ™. Safe Charging is a Superpower” – focuses on the everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safer. This one-hour NVFC Roundtable Talk will bring subject matter experts together to share best-practices on ways fire and emergency service departments can engage citizens to practice safety when they plug in and power up.

Webinar – Learn How to Maximize Your NVFC Member Experience
September 15 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Alyssa Dara, Callie Fry, and Laura Towers
Are you making the most of your NVFC membership? Whether you’re a new member, a longtime member looking for a refresher, or a prospective member interested in learning more, this webinar will help you take full advantage of all the NVFC has to offer. Join us September 15 at 2 pm ET for a walkthrough of the NVFC member portal; an overview of exclusive member benefits, including a detailed look at the First Responder Helpline from Business Health Services (BHS) staff; and practical tips for getting the most value from your membership.

Check out additional on-demand courses in the NVFC Virtual Classroom.