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 – The Continuing Evolution of Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage System Design and Safety
July 8 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Mike Simpson
As the deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the U.S. accelerates, it’s critical for project developers, owners, and operators to engage with local firefighters to provide detailed information about advances in BESS technology, codes and standards, safety systems, and facility design to support effective emergency planning, hazard mitigation, and incident response. This presentation by AES’ leading engineer in BESS technology will provide volunteer firefighters with critical knowledge about today’s BESS systems so that firefighters have a stronger understanding of BESS installations and the safety systems now in place, if they ever have to respond to an event at one of these facilities.

This webinar is sponsored by 

Roundtable Talk – Diving Deeper: Fires and Non-Fire Emergencies in Big Box Facilities
July 31 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Mike Dugan, Clark Lamping, and Tom Merrill (Moderator)
Following up on the December 2024 Roundtable Talk on big-box fires, this session will further explore how volunteer fire departments can prepare for emergency responses to big-box facilities. In small towns, where land is less expensive and highway/interstate access is convenient, big box facilities such as distribution centers, warehouses, and industrial spaces continue to absorb land. Often these facilities are in the coverage area of volunteer fire departments that have limited resource. To respond efficiently and safely, it is important to prepare for the challenges ahead. While sprinklers contain the fire, firefighters still have search, rescue, extinguishment, salvage, and overhaul. Join the NVFC and a panel of experts for this Roundtable Talk to dive deeper into big-box fire and non-fire emergency response.

Webinar – Fire Up Your Recruitment Game: Harnessing Digital Tools for Recruitment Success
August 7 @ 2pm ET
Presenter: Katie Bulla
In today’s challenging recruitment landscape, volunteer fire departments face unprecedented hurdles in attracting and retaining dedicated volunteers. In this webinar, presenter Katie Bulla will discuss a variety of free and cheap online tools that can significantly simplify recruitment efforts and the application process. Harness the technology of today to overcome the recruitment challenges of our times, ensuring your department continues to serve the community effectively. Learn how these digital solutions can help you bridge the gap between potential volunteers and your department’s needs, ultimately strengthening your team and ensuring the safety of your com

Roundtable Talk – Different Generations, One Mission: Making It Work in the Firehouse
August 19 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Walter Campbell, Quentin Cash, Pam Rogers, and Joe Maruca (Moderator)
Today’s fire service teams include everyone from fresh-faced recruits to seasoned veterans – and that’s a good thing. But with different generations come different communication styles, work habits, and expectations. So how do you make it all run smoothly? Join the NVFC for this interactive webinar to explore how to build stronger, more cohesive crews by understanding and valuing the unique strengths each generation brings to the table. Whether you’re a new firefighter, a long-time leader, or somewhere in between, you’ll walk away with practical tools to improve communication, boost team morale, and bridge generational gaps in the station and on the fireground. This down-to-earth conversation will include what it really takes to create a culture of respect, learning, and collaboration – no matter what year you joined the service or when you were born.

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