NVFC Live Online Trainings

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

Below are upcoming events; click on the title to register. 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.

Webinar: Unlocking Opportunities – Tips for Crafting an NVFC Grant and Giveaway Application
January 8, 2025 at 2pm ET
Presenters: Joel Cerny and Lori Shirley

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) regularly teams up with partners to provide grant, giveaway, and scholarship opportunities for the fire and emergency services. Are you ready to boost your department’s resources and make the most of these opportunities? Join NVFC board member Joel Cerny and program manager Lori Shirley for this webinar to learn how to identify key opportunities, craft compelling applications, use appropriate data, and avoid common pitfalls. Whether you’re applying for funding, gear, or education, this session will provide actionable strategies to help your department produce a competitive NVFC grant or giveaway application.

  This webinar is sponsored by MSA Safety.

Webinar: Actions Firefighters Can Take to Reduce Cancer Risks
January 16 at 1pm ET
Presenters: Brian McQueen, John Buckman, and Scott Beecher
Occupational cancer continues to have an impact on the lives of our firefighters. Since 2015, fire service organizations across this country have prioritized the occupational issue and improvements have been recommended for implementation within the framework of our operations at incidents. While we’ve seen improvements in our cancer initiative, the need to continue to provide education on this topic and its impact on our firefighters and their families must continue. In this webinar, Chief Brian McQueen of the National Volunteer Fire Council, Chief John Buckman III of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and Scott Beecher of Ward Diesel Filter Systems will discuss the specific actions outlined in the Lavender Ribbon Report that firefighters and their departments can take to reduce the risk of occupational cancer, as well as how departments can embed these practices into their operations and culture.

  This webinar is sponsored by Ward Diesel Filter Systems.

Roundtable Talk: Community Risk Reduction for Fire Departments – Strategies for a Safer Community
January 22 at 2pm ET
Presenters: Michael McLeieer, Mike Weller, Wendy Giannini-King, and Debbie Carpenter
Just in time for Community Risk Reduction Week (January 20-26), tune in for this NVFC Roundtable Talk focusing on actionable strategies to help your department develop and implement community risk reduction (CRR) programs that address unique risks within your service area. This panel discussion will cover essential elements, tools, and best practices to enhance fire safety, emergency preparedness, and community engagement.

R&R Coffee Talk: Supporting Families
January 30 at 7pm ET
Join Dr. Candice McDonald and Chief Joel Cerny, along with guests Joe Maruca, and Mike and Anne Gagliano, for an interactive discussion on Supporting Families. The session will run 30 minutes and include audience Q&A.

Webinar: Essentials of Volunteer Retention & Recruitment
February 13 at 2pm ET
Presenter: Tom Merrill
Many fire and EMS departments across the nation are struggling to find new volunteer members and retain their current members. This session discusses the challenges of recruiting volunteers, presents valuable research collected as part of the NVFC’s Make Me A Firefighter campaign, and offers ideas to help overcome recruiting challenges. Potential retention solutions and the importance of leadership will also be covered.

R&R Coffee Talk: Leadership
February 20 at 7pm ET
Join Dr. Candice McDonald and Chief Joel Cerny, along with guests Doug Cline and Quentin Cash, for an interactive discussion on Leadership. The session will run 30 minutes and include audience Q&A.

Roundtable Talk: Safety in Action – Educating Drivers on Emergency Scene Awareness
February 27 at 1pm ET
Presenters: Jack Sullivan, Todd Leiss, Joel Feldman, and Joe Tebo
Engaging the community in roadway safety is a key part of reducing first responder injuries and death in traffic incident management. In this NVFC Roundtable Talk, subject matter experts will discuss ways to motivate community members to adopt safe driving guidelines, how to communicate key topics such as distracted driving and moving over when passing an emergency scene, and innovative ways to reach even more drivers with these messages.

Webinar: Protecting Our Heroes – Women Firefighters’ Health and Wellness
March 6 at 2pm ET
Presenter: Brittany Hollerbach
Women make up half of communities but only a small percentage of the fire service, making them a great potential audience for recruitment. While there are many benefits to being a firefighter, there are also challenges when it comes to recruiting and retaining women. Some of these include health risks, ill-fitting gear, discrimination, and limited workplace policies that can impact physical and mental wellbeing. In this webinar, Brittany Hollerbach from NDRI-USA, Inc. will share groundbreaking insights on the health issues specific to female firefighters and highlight practical strategies to address these challenges. Join us to explore how departments can improve recruitment, retention, and safety by implementing inclusive policies, health-focused programs, and supportive environments for women firefighters.

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