Step Strong Challenge
Focus on fitness while having fun! Join us for the Step Strong Challenge from June 1-30. Meet challenge goals for the chance to win prizes.
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Safety Stand Down
Get ready for Safety Stand Down, June 14-20, with planning tools and resources focusing on this year's theme of "Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life."
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MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmet Giveaway
MSA is giving away four Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmets to NVFC members in 2026. The second entry period is open through June 30 at noon ET.
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Upcoming Training
Join us on June 2 at 2pm ET for the Roundtable Talk - Safety Stand Down 2026: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life
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NVFC Turns 50!
The NVFC marks its 50th anniversary this year. Celebrate with us by taking a trip down memory lane through our retrospective timeline of milestones and highlights from the past 50 years.
View TimelineGet Ready for Safety Stand Down, June 14-20
Jun 2, 2026:
Safety Stand Down takes place June 14-20 with the theme “Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life.” Use this opportunity to focus all training and education during that week on the crucial...
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Join the Step Strong Challenge
Jun 2, 2026:
The NVFC’s Step Strong Challenge has just begun, and you still have time to join! Step your way through the month of June to improve your fitness while having fun. New this year, compete as both an...
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Entry Period Now Open for the MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmet Giveaway
Jun 2, 2026:
MSA Safety is giving away four MSA Cairns 1836 fire helmets to NVFC members in 2026. The June entry period is now open. Launched in 2021, the program provides volunteer firefighters four chances to...
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The HERO Framework: Building Stronger Volunteer Fire Departments with Psychological Capital
Jun 2, 2026:
By Dennis P. Stolle, JD, PhD, and Marnie Shanbhag, PhD
Volunteer fire departments across the country are asking a hard question: how do we sustain our people over time — without asking them to...
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Announcing the 2026 DripDrop Hydration Giveback Campaign
Jun 2, 2026:
DripDrop is teaming up with the NVFC for the seventh year to provide critical hydration to volunteer firefighters through the 2026 DripDrop Hydration Giveback Campaign. This year, volunteer fire...
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FEMA Grant Applications Due June 22
Jun 2, 2026:
The application periods for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, and Fire Prevention and Safety grant programs are now open. These grants fund...
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Fitness isn’t just about strength. It’s about staying ready to serve. Safety Stand Down 2026 (June 14–20) breaks firefighter fitness into daily focus areas: • Foundations • Intentional • Technique • Nutrition • Evaluation • Sleep • Strategies for Success Use these topics to guide training, conversations, and long-term health in your department. Get started: www.safetystanddown.org
Apply for the Columbia Southern University and NVFC Scholarship Program! 🎓🚒 Two NVFC members will receive scholarships covering up to 60 credit hours toward an online degree program through Columbia Southern University. If you’re a volunteer responder looking to further your education and strengthen your impact in the fire and emergency services, this is an incredible opportunity to invest in your future. Applications are open until August 17. Learn more and apply: https://buff.ly/tmv5iNQ
Join the NVFC, TOMORROW, June 2 at 2pm ET for a Roundtable Talk to help your department prepare for Safety Stand Down 2026, taking place June 14-20. This year’s theme, "Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life", focuses on the critical role health and fitness play in responder readiness, injury prevention, and long-term wellbeing. Hear from Quentin Cash, Dave Frost, Shelby Hall, Dan Kerrigan, Eric Valliere, and moderator Darin Wallentine as they discuss this year’s daily FITNESS topics, ways departments can participate, and resources available to help responders stay fit to serve and fit for life. Register now: https://buff.ly/YTFDZff
Your department's next recruit may be scrolling social media right now. To help volunteer fire and EMS departments communicate more effectively online, the NVFC has developed a new Social Media Toolkit packed with practical guidance, templates, and resources. The toolkit will help your department: ✅ Strengthen recruitment and retention messaging ✅ Increase community engagement ✅ Create more effective social media content ✅ Build a consistent brand and voice ✅ Understand analytics and content performance ✅ Navigate paid advertising and boosted posts ✅ Save time with ready-to-use tips, templates, and examples Whether you're just getting started or looking to take your social media presence to the next level, this toolkit provides simple, actionable strategies designed specifically for volunteer responders. Access the toolkit today: https://buff.ly/xfT2GdJ
Walk. Track. Win. 🥇 ✔️ Hit 200K Steps = raffle entry ✔️ Hit 300K Steps = raffle entry ✔️ Top 20 Steppers = raffle entry ✔️ Top 10 Team = raffle entry Sign up now: hekahealth.com/nvfc26
Meet Linda Pyle, an NVFC member who proves it's never too late to answer the call to serve. 🚒 After retiring from a career in education, Linda joined the fire service and now serves as a firefighter/EMT with Butler County Fire District 11 in Towanda, KS. Through emergency response, public education, and community outreach, she's making a difference while continuing a family legacy of service. Read Linda's story in this NVFC Member Spotlight: https://buff.ly/pww1azc
Every firefighter's journey starts somewhere. The NVFC's Recruit to White Helmet course provides a roadmap for advancing in the fire service, from your first day as a recruit to future leadership opportunities. Learn what it takes to grow your skills, take on new responsibilities, and build a successful volunteer fire service career. 📚 Free for a limited time in the NVFC Virtual Classroom. Get started: https://buff.ly/lO9oOpa
This #thankfulthursday, we’re recognizing NVFC Champion Member Missioncit for their commitment to supporting the fire and emergency services. Founded by first responders, for first responders, MissionCIT helps strengthen departments and communities through firefighter and EMS training, recruitment and retention support, strategic planning, emergency management, and more. Thank you, MissionCIT, for helping build stronger, better prepared responders across the country. 🚒 Learn more: https://buff.ly/dSHJv9e
Get ready for Safety Stand Down 2026, taking place June 14–20! This year’s theme, Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life, focuses on building strength, endurance, and resilience to keep responders safe and performing at their best. Plan ahead with daily focus topics including Foundations, Technique, Nutrition, Sleep, and more. Access free tools, training ideas, and resources to support your department. Learn more:
Who’s climbing the leaderboard? 👀 Compete with first responders across the country in the NVFC Step Strong Challenge! Every step brings you closer to prizes — and bragging rights. You can step things up even more by making it a competition within your department or family. 👉 Start today: hekahealth.com/nvfc26
📣 We’re hiring! The National Volunteer Fire Council is seeking a Corporate Relations Manager to lead and grow corporate sponsorship, membership, and partnership efforts that support the volunteer fire and EMS community nationwide. This role is ideal for a strategic, relationship-driven professional with experience in fundraising, sponsorship development, or partnership management who is passionate about making an impact. Learn more and apply: https://buff.ly/IkoQwhw
Congratulations again to Plano Fire Explorers Post 215 on being named the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award recipient. 🚒 NVFC TX director Dallas Renfrew recently attended the award ceremony to recognize the program’s incredible impact and present the award in person. For decades, Plano Fire Explorers Post 215 has helped shape the next generation of fire service leaders through hands-on training, mentorship, community service, and leadership development. Their dedication to preparing young people for a future in the fire service continues to make a lasting difference. Learn more 👉 https://buff.ly/T8RMIz2 This award is sponsored by California Casualty.
Join the NVFC on June 2 at 2pm ET for a Roundtable Talk to help your department prepare for Safety Stand Down 2026, taking place June 14-20. This year’s theme, "Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life", focuses on the critical role health and fitness play in responder readiness, injury prevention, and long-term wellbeing. Hear from Quentin Cash, Dave Frost, Shelby Hall, Dan Kerrigan, Eric Valliere, and moderator Darin Wallentine as they discuss this year’s daily FITNESS topics, ways departments can participate, and resources available to help responders stay fit to serve and fit for life. Register now: https://buff.ly/YTFDZff
🚒 First responders are always ready to have your back — so return the favor by driving safely. When passing an emergency scene, slow down, move over, and stay alert. Let’s keep our roads safe for those who risk it all to protect us.
Today, the NVFC pauses to honor and remember the brave service members who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the families who carry the weight of that sacrifice every day. #MemorialDay
Discover auto, home, and renters insurance designed for Firefighters. Learn more: https://buff.ly/bqGlNTA
As lithium-ion battery incidents continue to increase, this new report explores the impact e-mobility device fires can have on passenger rail safety, evacuation, and emergency response. Check out the findings in this new Fire Safety Research Institute report.
As wildfire season approaches, hydration and preparedness are critical. 🚒💧 The NVFC, Anheuser-Busch, and its wholesaler partners are helping 638 volunteer fire departments in 45 states stay ready to respond with the donation of 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water. Now in its eighth year, this program helps departments protect limited resources while ensuring firefighters have access to clean drinking water during emergencies. Read the article: https://buff.ly/P2qfm09
On this #thankfulthursday, we’re giving a big shoutout to Columbia Southern University — a valued NVFC supporter and advocate for volunteer first responder education. Online learning plays a critical role in helping volunteer firefighters and EMS providers pursue their educational goals while managing busy schedules and on-call duties. 🎓 The application period for the 2026 CSU Scholarship is now open! Two NVFC members will each receive a scholarship covering up to 60 credit hours toward the CSU degree program of their choice. Apply now through August 17: https://buff.ly/ETnjoyK
Think you know firefighter fitness? Test your knowledge with the Safety Stand Down quiz and explore key concepts tied to this year’s theme, Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life. Each question connects to a daily focus area designed to support safety, performance, and long-term health. Plus, 200 quiz takers will be randomly selected to receive a limited edition challenge coin! Take the quiz: https://buff.ly/BsGxV9w
The NVFC is excited to launch the new NVFC Hands-On: Regional Training Series, bringing free, in-person training opportunities directly to volunteer fire and EMS responders across the country! 🚒 Our first stop is Wayne County, OH, on July 11-12 at the Wayne County Regional Training Facility in Apple Creek, OH. This free two-day event features practical courses focused on leadership, training development, firefighter health, and building stronger volunteer departments. 📅 July 11 • Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services • Planning and Implementing a Training Program 📅 July 12 • Surviving the Job - Cancer in the Fire Service • Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success 📍 Wayne County Regional Training Facility Apple Creek, OH Lunch will be provided both days, generously sponsored by ESIP - Emergency Services Insurance Program. Hosted by the Ohio State Firefighters' Association. Register now to secure your spot: https://buff.ly/3WG0vQa
Today is Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day, part of National EMS Week 2026, and a time to recognize the critical role EMS clinicians play in caring for our youngest patients. Children may make up a small percentage of 911 calls, but when emergencies happen, they require care that is timely, safe, and well-coordinated. Take the Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Program Open Assessment to help your agency identify strengths and gaps in pediatric care, and check out other resources and tools to ensure your EMS agency is “Pediatric Ready.” Learn more: https://buff.ly/OUiCUus
Are you fit for the fight? Join the NVFC on June 2 at 2pm ET for a Roundtable Talk to help your department prepare for Safety Stand Down 2026, taking place June 14-20. This year’s theme, "Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life", focuses on the critical role health and fitness play in responder readiness, injury prevention, and long-term wellbeing. Hear from Quentin Cash, Dave Frost, Shelby Hall, Dan Kerrigan, Eric Valliere, and moderator Darin Wallentine as they discuss this year’s daily FITNESS topics, ways departments can participate, and resources available to help responders stay fit to serve and fit for life. Register now: https://buff.ly/YTFDZff
Don’t miss Mission: Survival, featuring NVFC chair Steve Hirsch as panelists discuss firefighter health, mental wellness, and the steps departments can take to better protect their crews from the invisible dangers of the job.
As part of the NVFC’s 50th anniversary celebration, we’re continuing our State Association Spotlight series. This week, we’re highlighting the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters' Association, established in 1990 and the youngest state firefighters association in the country. Massachusetts is proud to rank among the states with the lowest risk of fire death, a reflection of the strong commitment to safety, training, and service across its fire departments. Through ongoing support and advocacy, the association plays an important role in strengthening the call and volunteer fire service throughout the state. Encouraging NVFC membership is one more way the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters' Association supports the firefighters who serve their communities every day. Join today for just $24/year and stand with volunteers across Massachusetts and nationwide 👉 nvfc.org/join
The NVFC was proud to recognize this year’s annual award recipients at the 2026 spring conference. Attendees celebrated the recipients of the William J. Darley Lifetime Achievement Award, Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health & Wellness Leadership Award, Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, and Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees and thank you for all you do to strengthen the fire and EMS service. Learn more about this year's award recipients: https://buff.ly/T8RMIz2
This EMS Week, we recognize the volunteer EMS providers and clinicians who are there for people on some of the hardest days of their lives. This year’s theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together,” is about more than medicine. It’s about the compassion, trust, teamwork, and dedication that help patients, families, and communities through moments that matter most. Thank you to all EMS providers for the lifesaving care, comfort, and support you provide every day. Learn more: https://emsweek.org/
Set the standard for safe habits behind the wheel. Put the phone down, buckle up, and show the next generation what responsible driving looks like.
The FY 2025 AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grant application periods open tomorrow, with applications due by June 22. These federal funding opportunities can help departments strengthen operations, improve safety, and better serve their communities. 🚒 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Supports departments with funding for PPE, turnout gear, SCBA, equipment, apparatus, training, and wellness initiatives. 👨🚒 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Helps departments increase or maintain staffing levels and supports volunteer recruitment and retention activities. 🔥 Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Supports fire prevention and education efforts, community risk reduction programs, and firefighter safety research initiatives. Find more information and learn how to apply here: https://buff.ly/PAttGFl Need help preparing your application? Check out the NVFC Virtual Classroom for grant-related training and resources: https://buff.ly/cfXtGyB
⏰ Final call to apply for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway! MSA Fire, Nomex® and Kevlar® for Personal Protection, and the NVFC partner each year to help volunteer departments replace worn or outdated gear with new protective equipment. In 2026, 52 sets of turnout gear and helmets will be awarded. The application period closes at noon ET on June 1. Apply now at www.nvfc.org/gear.
The NVFC Step Strong Challenge begins June 1! Walk your way through June, earn bonus steps, and meet challenge goals for the chance to win prizes. 📲 Download the app & register now: hekahealth.com/nvfc26
The NVFC Spring Board Conference brought together board members, partners, and industry leaders for several days of collaboration, discussion, and planning to help strengthen and support the volunteer fire and emergency services. Throughout the conference, attendees participated in governance discussions, heard updates from national fire service and industry partners, explored the role of AI in the fire service, and took part in important conversations surrounding leadership, advocacy, and the future of the volunteer fire service. Thank you to our board members, presenters, and sponsors for helping make this year’s Spring Board Conference a success!
NVFC leadership took to Capitol Hill this week for Advocacy Day, meeting with lawmakers to discuss critical issues impacting the volunteer fire and emergency services. Before heading to meetings with legislators, directors were briefed on the NVFC’s key policy priorities and the importance of continued Congressional support for the fire and EMS community. Thank you to these lawmakers for taking the time to meet and discuss the needs of volunteer responders and the communities they serve.
Applications are now open for the Columbia Southern University and NVFC Scholarship Program! 🎓🚒 Two NVFC members will receive scholarships covering up to 60 credit hours toward an online degree program through Columbia Southern University. If you’re a volunteer responder looking to further your education and strengthen your impact in the fire and emergency services, this is an incredible opportunity to invest in your future. Applications are open until August 17. Learn more and apply: https://buff.ly/tmv5iNQ
The NVFC Spring Board Conference is underway! We kicked off this morning with the presentation of the colors by the Alexandria Fire Department Honor Guard, a welcome by Alexandria (VA) Fire Department Chief Felipe Hernandez, Jr., the Chair's Report by Steve Hirsch, and the CEO Report by Sarah Lee. Check out a few highlights from the morning below!
Next week marks National EMS Week™ (May 17-23) 🚑️ Please join us as we recognize the people behind the patch and reaffirm our commitment, as partners and communities, to Improving Outcomes, Together. The National EMS Week resource center is available to help you plan, publicize, and celebrate the event in your community. 🔗 https://buff.ly/7nssfsi
Volunteer fire service leaders from across the country came together today for the NVFC Advocacy Day during the 2026 Spring Conference. Supported by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the event provided an opportunity for NVFC Directors and state fire service association representatives to learn more about the legislative process, discuss key issues impacting the volunteer fire service, and prepare to effectively engage with policymakers on behalf of their departments and communities. Thank you to everyone who participated and continues to advocate for the needs of the volunteer fire and emergency services. 🚒🚑️
Becoming a volunteer firefighter impacts your entire family. The NVFC has resources to help families adjust to the volunteer fire service lifestyle, including an on-demand course in the Virtual Classroom. This course reviews topics such as key fire service terms, keeping relationships strong, being part of the fire department family, finding support resources, and more. For a limited time, take this course free of charge: https://buff.ly/UgEvL1r
When disaster strikes, the fire service family shows up for each other. ❤️ If you or a fellow responder experienced home damage or property loss due to a state or federally declared disaster or a home fire, assistance may be available through the NVFC Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund. Eligible responders can apply for a $350 stipend to help meet basic needs in the aftermath of a disaster. Learn more and apply here: https://buff.ly/6hbWevF If you know a responder who may need support, please help spread the word by sharing this post.
🧠 May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it serves as an important reminder that protecting your mental well-being is just as important as protecting your physical health. The NVFC is proud to provide resources and support services that help first responders navigate the unique challenges of the job. These efforts are possible thanks to the support of dedicated corporate members like Provident Insurance. Provident is not only a Chairman’s Club member, but also a valued partner in the NVFC First Responder Helpline, which offers 24/7 support to NVFC members and their families for a variety of behavioral health needs. 💚 Learn more about Provident and their commitment to responder wellness: https://buff.ly/Ef1TwTr
First responders face repeated stress, trauma, and challenges that can wear down even the strongest resilience systems over time. The NVFC’s in-person course, The Power of Hope: Strengthening Resilience and Wellbeing in First Responders, explores how hope can play a critical role in supporting responder wellbeing, resilience, and purpose, both personally and within the department. Through Dr. Richard Snyder’s Hope Theory, this course examines topics including moral injury, trauma, agency, peer support, mentorship, and the role leadership plays in cultivating hope within the fire and emergency services. Request this free training for your department or event today. Preference will be given to early July dates. Request the course: https://buff.ly/1RfgUFT
When a wildfire threatens a community, many homeowners expect firefighters to save every home. But wildfire mitigation starts long before the first apparatus arrives. Join the NVFC on May 19 at 2pm ET for the Roundtable Talk: Shifting the Homeowner Mindset: Shared Responsibility in Wildfire Mitigation. Hear from Mark Howell, Mike Johnson, and Josh Nigro, moderated by Charlie Kludt, as they discuss how fire departments can help residents better understand wildfire risk, take proactive mitigation steps, and become stronger partners in community protection. Register now: https://buff.ly/tfy7wJD
Join the NVFC, TOMORROW, May 13 at 2pm ET for a webinar breaking down the transition from NFIRS to NERIS and what you need to know now. Hear from Tyler Gibbs of Alpine Software as he walks through key changes, reporting requirements, and practical steps to help your department stay compliant. 🔗 Register now: https://buff.ly/8eABdI1 This Webinar is sponsored by Alpine Software
The 2026 NVFC Training Summit is almost sold out! Don’t miss your chance to join volunteer firefighters and emergency service personnel from across the country on June 26-27 in Arlington, VA. This year’s summit features nationally recognized instructors, real-world leadership and training sessions, and practical takeaways you can bring back to your department immediately. Spots are limited and registration is nearly sold out. Register today: www.nvfc.org/summit
Join the NVFC, TOMORROW, May 12 at 2pm ET for the Roundtable Talk Crisis at the Crossroads: Addressing EMS Recruitment and Retention in Volunteer Departments. Hear from fire and EMS leaders as they dig into what’s driving the struggle to recruit and retain volunteers, from the time and cost of training to work-life balance, economic pressures, leadership gaps, and the growing disconnect between community expectations and the realities of volunteering. 👉 Register here: https://buff.ly/zHuRAgp
Lace up, log in, and start stepping! 🚶♂️ The NVFC Step Strong Challenge kicks off June 1. Sign up today and join first responders nationwide stepping up their fitness while competing for the chance to win prizes. 👉 Register now: hekahealth.com/nvfc26
Firefighters gathered at the MAAC Foundation in Valparaiso, IN, for the NVFC’s Instructor Training for Flammable Gases. Bill Offerman led this hands-on training opportunity, helping strengthen instructor knowledge and prepare responders to safely and effectively teach critical hazardous materials response skills in their own communities. Find more in-person training opportunities or request a training at your department here: https://buff.ly/PGb6zfn
Looking to advance your fire service leadership and operational skills? The National Fire Academy has immediate openings for resident classes starting May 24. Apply by May 13 for: • Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident Management • Special Operations Program Management and Leadership • Command and Control Decision-Making at Multiple Alarm Incidents • Command and Control of Incident Operations • Hazardous Materials Code Enforcement • Leadership in Supervision • New Executive Chief Officer • Fire Investigation: Forensic Evidence Collection and Documentation NFA resident classes are free of charge, with free lodging provided, transportation to and from BWI included, and travel stipends available for eligible attendees. View available courses and apply: https://buff.ly/S7dNMB3
As part of the NVFC’s 50th anniversary celebration, we’re continuing our State Association Spotlight series. This week, we’re highlighting the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association, a cornerstone of the state’s fire service since 1928. West Virginia’s fire service is deeply rooted in tradition and community, with departments dating back to the early 1800s alongside newer organizations formed within the last two decades. Today, the state is home to 434 fire departments, with only 19 being career or combination, making it a truly volunteer-driven fire service. The association has played a key role in honoring and supporting firefighters across the state and encouraging NVFC membership is one more way the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association supports the firefighters who serve their communities every day. Join today for just $24/year and stand with volunteers across West Virginia and nationwide 👉 nvfc.org/join
📵 That text? It can wait. When you're behind the wheel, your focus should be on the road — not your phone. Every distraction is a risk not worth taking.