NVFC Celebrates 10th Anniversary Training Summit

July 2, 2024

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) marked the 10th anniversary of its signature conference, the NVFC Training Summit, on June 21-22 in Buffalo, NY. The sold-out event had the highest attendance yet, with over 200 attendees from 40 states and the District of Columbia.

Attendees were able to choose from 18 sessions delivered by nationally-recognized subject matter experts in three tracks focusing on health and safety, recruitment and retention, and leadership. Two keynote speakers addressed the full group. The opening session also featured remarks by U.S. Deputy Fire Administrator Tonya Hoover, and the closing session featured fire service leader and author Tom Merrill. View the full agenda of courses and instructors here.

In addition to the educational sessions, attendees had opportunities to connect during networking lunches, breaks, and a Networking Reception and Vendor Expo.

Attendance at the Training Summit is limited to ensure students can actively participate in the sessions and best utilize opportunities to network and share ideas. To help volunteers from departments with limited budgets attend, travel stipends were awarded to 43 NVFC members, covering up to $800 towards transportation, hotel, and the conference registration fee.

“We are thrilled to mark 10 years of providing the NVFC Training Summit to volunteer firefighters and emergency responders,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “We work to make this event accessible to all by bringing it to locations across the country and annually providing travel stipends to dozens of attendees. Our goal is to strengthen local fire and emergency services through training that attendees can take back to their departments, with an emphasis on physical and behavioral health, responder safety, recruiting and retaining volunteers, and leadership.”

“The stipend provided me with access to top-notch training and resources that my organization would not have otherwise had the chance to send me to,” said attendee and stipend recipient Chief Louis W. Lepere of the Prudence Island (RI) Fire Department. “The Summit offered a wealth of knowledge and skills that are invaluable to my development as a volunteer fire chief. The sessions were engaging, the speakers were inspiring, and the networking opportunities were incredibly beneficial. I feel more equipped and motivated than ever to serve my community.”

The Training Summit and travel stipends are made possible thanks to a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant and a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The NVFC appreciates the support of this year’s sponsors and exhibitors.

Sponsors: AES, Amazon Business, Anheuser-Busch Foundation, BK Technologies, Buxus, CellBlock, Clarion Fire & Rescue Group, Columbia Southern University, DripDrop, GBC Fundraising, Hazmat Virtual, Josh Cellars, Lucid Diagnostics, Mission CIT, Lincoln Financial Group, National Fire Protection Association, Sustainable Workplace Alliance, Tesla, UDS, Wendell’s Mint.

Partner Exhibitors: FEMA Grant Programs Directorate, Firefighters Association of the State of New York, National Firefighter Cancer Registry, North American Fire Training Directors, NERIS

Thank you to all of the attendees, instructors, and sponsors who made the 2024 event a success. The next NVFC Training Summit will take place in Salt Lake City, UT, on June 20-21, 2025. Sign up to receive updates as they become available here.