News Archive

Empowering Heroes: State Farm® and NVFC Team Up to Give $1 Million to Volunteer Firefighters

Categories: Grants and Funding News
Program will expand in 2025 to $1.5 million State Farm® and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) teamed up to launch the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program in 2024. In the inaugural year, 100 volunteer fire departments were each awarded $10,000 grants, for a total of $1 million provided to help local departments increase safety and efficiency and better serve their communities. ...
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NVFC Members Have Four Chances to Win an MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmet in 2025

Categories: Grants and Funding News
MSA Safety has teamed up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) once again to give away four MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmets in 2025. The first entry period is now open! NVFC members have until April 30 to enter for the chance to receive a helmet. Additional entry periods will be held in June, August, and November. The MSA Cairns® 1836 Fire Helmet showcases the iconic traditional...
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Applications for Nutella® Stacks for Giving Back Grant Due April 30

Categories: Grants and Funding News
Nutella® has teamed up with the NVFC to provide $25,000 to volunteer fire departments in 2025. Eligible departments can apply for the chance to receive a $5,000 grant to help fund equipment, gear, training, or other department necessities. Learn more and apply by April 30. You can also nominate your local department for the chance to win a Nutella Pancake Breakfast Kit to help with their next...
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NVFC Supported Bill Re-introduced to Increase State Pension Access to Nonprofit Fire Departments

Categories: Legislative and Regulatory News
Last week Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) reintroduced a bill (H.R. 2382) to amend both the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code to allow paid firefighters in nonprofit fire departments access to a state’s public pension system. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) strongly supports this legislation. This bill would especially impact North Carolina,...
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Finding Balance as a Volunteer Firefighter: Serve with Passion and Purpose

Categories: Recruitment and Retention News
When thinking about member retention, it’s important to remember that many of the factors that determine whether a volunteer will stay with a department come from home, not the firehouse. It’s important that volunteer responders find a healthy balance to maintain long-term well-being and effectiveness and avoid burnout. This article for Firefighter Nation by Matt Aalto provides tips to build...
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Resources for Families of Volunteer Responders

Categories: Behavioral Health News, Health and Safety News, Training and Education News
When someone joins the volunteer fire, emergency medical, or rescue services, it impacts the entire family. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) recognizes the importance of family support and keeping family relationships strong. The NVFC Family Task Force has created a resource center for family members of volunteer responders. Among the tools available are:  A guide and training...
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Take the Survey on the Role of Training in Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment & Retention

Categories: Recruitment and Retention News
Your feedback is needed! The Fire Protection Research Foundation, in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council and North American Fire Training Directors, is working with researchers from the Social Sciences Innovations Corporation to conduct a survey to understand the role that training has on volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention. Your participation is essential to help...
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Get Ready for National Volunteer Week, April 20-26

Categories: Behavioral Health News, Recruitment and Retention News, Training and Education News
National Volunteer Week is a great time to recognize the dedicated volunteers in your fire or EMS department as well as let the community know about the volunteer opportunities your department has. Use these resources to help your department make the most out of the week of April 20-26 and enhance recruitment and retention throughout the year. Make Me A Firefighter Department Portal – Find...
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Watch Webinar on Pipeline Safety and Emergency Response

Categories: Preparedness and Prevention News, Training and Education News
April is National Safe Digging Month, and you can use this time to learn how your department can be best prepared for pipeline incidents. The recorded webinar, Pipeline Safety and Emergency Response, delves into how to identify if your community has pipelines (and what’s in them), how to identify transmission versus distribution and gathering lines, working with pipeline operators, and...
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Raise Awareness to Prevent Distracted Driving

Categories: Health and Safety News, Preparedness and Prevention News, Training and Education News
Thousands of people are killed in accidents involving distracted drivers each year. These drivers also put responders working roadway incidents at risk. You can take action by educating your community on the dangers of distracted driving and how to safely pass an emergency scene. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Utilize these resources to make your community – and your crew – safer...
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