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.

Roundtable Talk – Balancing Act: Navigating Work, Life, and Volunteer Commitments
April 24 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Rachel Buczynski, Sarah Lee, Matt Aalto, and Jill Holland
You’ve probably heard of the importance of work-life balance – but what about work-life-volunteer balance? Keeping two plates spinning is hard enough without adding the demands of a high-commitment volunteer role like being a volunteer first responder. April is National Stress Awareness Month, and the NVFC is hosting a Roundtable Talk with a panel of experts to provide insight into what it means to have work-life-volunteer balance, how to set your own boundaries, and how to approach your team’s work-life-volunteer balance as a leader. The session will include information on key resources to help you tackle this important topic.

Roundtable Talk – Educate Your Community on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
May 1 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Mike Johnson, Charlie Kludt, Steve McClintock (Moderator), and Josh Nigro
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day (WCPD) is a campaign that encourages people and organizations everywhere to come together on a single day to take action to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risks. The theme for this year’s WCPD, taking place on Saturday, May 3, is Defending the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ). Join this NVFC Roundtable Talk to hear subject matter experts from across the country discuss how to use WCPD to educate your community and learn what other fire departments are doing to get involved to support their community WCPD activities.

Webinar – Arson Awareness Week: A Community Approach to Preventing Arson in the Wildfire Environment
May 5 @1pm ET
Presenters: Deanna Harrington and Scott Plumer
Kick off Arson Awareness Week with this NVFC webinar designed to equip first responders with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent arson in wildfire-prone areas. This session will provide information and resources relevant to firefighters, company level officers, fire investigators, youth firesetting intervention and prevention specialists, and chief staff. Discover the importance of strong investigations and the need for specific wildland arson awareness training for firefighters. Explore the unique challenges of investigating wildfires compared to structural fires and the critical role of community efforts in identifying arsonists and their motives. Understand the importance of law enforcement cooperation, district attorney awareness, and the need for a feedback loop to keep the community informed. A case study will highlight the collaborative efforts of various departments and agencies along with community members, showcasing the power of a united community approach. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your arson prevention strategies and make a difference in your community!

Webinar – Strengthening EMS Teams: Effective Recruitment & Retention Strategies
May 15 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Jonathan Dayton and Eric Quinney
Join the NVFC for this engaging and insightful webinar designed to help emergency medical service (EMS) agencies tackle one of their biggest challenges: recruiting and retaining dedicated volunteers, including EMTs, paramedics, and support staff. As the demands on EMS grow, agencies must adapt to attract and keep talent across generations. This webinar will explore proven strategies for recruitment and retention, including how to effectively engage volunteers from various age groups, best practices for bridging generational communication gaps, and the power of using modern tools like social media to connect with prospective volunteers. Whether you’re a leader, recruiter, or administrator within an EMS agency, this session will provide you with actionable tips and innovative approaches to strengthen your team and ensure long-term sustainability.

This webinar is sponsored by   

Webinar – Following the Science: Considerations for a Safe Transition to Non-PFAS in Firefighter Protective Clothing
May 20 @ 2pm ET
Presenters: Bill Gardner and R. Bryan Ormond, Ph.D.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a class of man-made toxic chemicals that have been used in thousands of consumer and industrial products and processes. There is heightened concern of its use in the fire service due to the multiple potential routes of exposure that firefighters experience. PFAS-based materials have been used in firefighter gear as well as in aqueous film-forming foams. Following pressure from firefighters, the fire service industry has transitioned to now offering outer shell and moisture barriers that are not manufactured with PFAS. As with any major change to protective clothing, it is critical to assess the differences in performance of the new gear and determine any limitations that may need to be considered. In this webinar, R. Brayn Ormond, PhD, will provide updates on research efforts to better understand the risk and extent of PFAS exposure to firefighters from their gear and then provide a comprehensive comparison of the effectiveness of PFAS-treated and newly available non-PFAS-treated turnout gear in both new and aged conditions.

This webinar is sponsored by 

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