National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) News

On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Candice McDonald, participated as a featured presenter at the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) webinar on ‘Igniting Firefighter Retention’. The webinar provided strategies and tips for volunteer fire departments to utilize to boost retention and create a dynamic team.

Volunteer fire and EMS personnel regularly go from their normal daily routines to a response mode that can expose them to acute, and sometimes traumatic, stress. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to serious behavioral health issues, including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and substance abuse. NVFC's new course examines PTSD The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) offers a new course that examines PTSD and the various types of substance abuse that is frequently seen in the fire...

The number of hazmat incidents occurring annually continues to increase based on 10-year incident summary data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This data underscores the need for firefighters to be trained and ready before an incident or emergency occurs. CHEMTREC® HELP Award Volunteer fire departments can now apply to receive US$ 10,000 in funds through the CHEMTREC® HELP Award to enhance their hazardous materials response capabilities and improve resp...

‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ takes audiences behind the lines of America’s volunteer fire service with upcoming theatrical & TVOD/digital release this summer. Sub-Genre Media began the release of the engaging documentary – ‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’, a Vignette Production and Hold Fast Features Project from filmmaking, co-directing team - Gary Matoso & Cameron Zohoori, in theaters beginning on July 7, 2023, in New York and Los Angeles, as well as...

Congratulations to Gerard Thorry, the Treasurer at the Mountain Lake Fire Company in Belvidere, New Jersey, USA, for winning a personalized MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet! Gerard Thorry is the second recipient of the 2023 MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet Giveaway, a program in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). 2023 MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet Giveaway The Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit The giveaway provides an oppo...

Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) for the fifth consecutive year to donate emergency drinking water to local fire departments nationwide. This summer, more than 350,000 cans will be donated to 34 fire departments across Texas to help them prepare for and respond in times of crisis and long incidents at home.  Firefighters and first responders in communities rely on clean drinking water to stay hydrated i...

This summer, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are once again teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver cans of emergency drinking water to local fire departments nationwide. Now in its fifth year of partnership, Anheuser-Busch is expanding its reach to provide over 2.5 million cans – more than ever before – to help volunteer fire departments as they prepare for and respond to crises, such as wildfires, as well as long incidents at home. The ini...

Over the past month, three bills have been introduced in Congress that would improve the wellbeing of firefighters.  These include a National Firefighter Registry reauthorization bill (H.R. 3821/S. 2119), the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act (S. 1988), and the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Act (HERO) Act (H.R. 3671). A House version of the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act and a Senate version of the HERO Act are expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. Historical a...

Recruitment and retention are vital elements for the success of any volunteer fire or emergency medical services (EMS) department. Volunteer departments play a critical role in safeguarding communities, but without enough dedicated volunteers, these departments struggle to fulfill their mission. Volunteer fire and EMS departments across the country are struggling to attract and retain qualified members. Recognizing this challenge, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the Nat...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joined its signature Health & Safety Training Summit and Recruitment & Retention Experience conferences into one expanded NVFC Training Summit in 2023 to focus on critical issues impacting the volunteer fire and emergency services. The sold-out event was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on June 23-24. The two-day training and networking conference drew over 150 firefighters, EMS providers, and fire service leaders from 37 states. The NVFC was a...

Volunteer firefighters who are NVFC members have until June 30 to enter to win a free MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet. The helmet has a jet-style design that reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit, and houses its own integrated light module. Plus, the soft goods are removable, washable, and replaceable. Learn more and enter. This is the second of three opportunities to win a Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet in 2023. MSA Safety and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working tog...

This summer, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are once again teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver cans of emergency drinking water to local fire departments nationwide. emergency drinking water initiative In its fifth year of partnership, Anheuser-Busch is expanding its reach to provide over 2.5 million cans, more than ever before to help volunteer fire departments as they prepare for and respond in times of crisis and long incidents at home. The ini...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with DripDrop Hydration, PBC, an electrolyte rehydration company, for the fourth year to provide dehydration relief to volunteer firefighters. In 2023, a total of 2,500 boxes (500,000 servings) of DripDrop’s electrolyte drink mix will be given away to 1,250 volunteer fire departments. Each department will receive two 100-count cases. Wildfire season and summer weather put firefighters at risk of dehydration and heat-related injuries...

Volunteer firefighters who are a member of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have another opportunity to win a free MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet. The innovative helmet boasts a jet-style design that reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit, and houses its own integrated light module. Eligibility criteria, deadline This is the second of three opportunities to win an XF1 helmet in 2023. One recipient will be randomly selected after each entry period. Applicants must be acti...

Education can open more doors for members of the fire service. However, traditional in-person learning can be too time-consuming for volunteers who already lead busy lives. Many volunteer responders are choosing to pursue online education, which is more convenient, allows for a flexible schedule, and helps maintain a healthy work-life balance. Scholarships to two NVFC members To help more first responders achieve their educational goals, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia...

It is essential that volunteer fire departments are prepared to respond to hazardous materials incidents. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to over 433,000 hazardous materials calls in 2021. CHEMTREC HELP award The number of hazmat incidents occurring annually continues to increase, based on 10-year incident summary data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which underscores the need for firefighters to be trained and...

Congratulations to the first recipient of the 2023 MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet Giveaway, Raymond Ravare! Ravare serves his community as a Volunteer Firefighter at the Ophir Rural Fire Department in Gold Beach, Oregon, USA. The MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet Giveaway, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), gives volunteer responders the chance to experience the most innovative and up-to-date technology to improve health and safety. Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet The...

On May 11, 2023, the House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing regarding ‘Reauthorizing the U.S. Fire Administration and Fire Grant Programs: Evaluating Effectiveness and Preparedness for Modern Challenges’. The National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Georgia Director, David Bullard, testified at the hearing on the behalf of the NVFC. The hearing provided a great opportunity for the NVFC...

Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and Ann Kuster (D-NH) introduced H.R. 3104, the Helping Our Heroes Act. This bill would establish an “above the line” tax deduction for the time volunteer firefighters donate to their communities. Helping Our Heroes Act Specifically, the Helping Our Heroes Act allows volunteer emergency responders, including firefighters, ambulance services, civil air patrol, and search and rescue services, to treat each hour of service or training as a $20 charitable con...

Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro N. Mayorkas and U.S. Fire Administrator, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell delivered remarks during the 42nd National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) Memorial Weekend on May 7, 2023, in Emmitsburg, Maryland, USA. The Homeland Security Secretary and the U.S. Fire Administrator paid tribute to the 79 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2022 and 65 firefighters who died in previous years.  Paying tribute to fallen firefighters The emergencies to wh...

In support of the Safety Stand Down campaign from June 18-24, 2023, the Safety Stand Down Sweepstakes Quiz has become live, featuring questions that reinforce key messages and practices behind the theme, “Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?” Safety Stand Down campaign Each year, the Safety Stand Down campaign and sweepstakes quiz is organized by the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety, Health & Surv...

Two grant programs designed to address staffing, equipment, training, and health and safety needs of firefighters are scheduled to ‘sunset’ in 2024 unless Congress reauthorizes the grant programs, and funding for the programs will run out unless Congress endows them for another year. Legislation to extend the programs has already passed the U.S. Senate. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program provides funding to hire additional personnel to mainta...

Successful fire and EMS departments prioritize the health and safety of their members and foster a positive, inclusive environment where their members can thrive. Unfortunately, instances of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation do just the opposite, harming individuals and the entire department. Departments can protect their members and the organization by adopting proactive measures to identify and respond to discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Fire Service Discrimination...

Since 2019, Anheuser-Busch and the NVFC have partnered to provide volunteer fire departments with canned drinking water to keep firefighters hydrated during wildfires and other long incidents. To date, 6.5 million cans of water have been distributed to more than 1,400 departments across nearly all 50 states. Another 1.5 million cans of water will be distributed this year. The 2023 general application period is now closed, but departments in declared wildfire emergencies can still request water...

The National Volunteer Fire Council held its inaugural Regional Wildland Symposium on March 17-18 in Box Elder, SD (just outside Rapid City). This new conference featured breakout sessions, panel discussions, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities focused on issues relating to wildland fire response and mitigation in the Plains region. Seventy-five first responders from 24 states gathered for two days of training, education, and idea-sharing. Eighteen of the attendees received a travel...

On March 22 the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on “Improving Rail Safety in Response to the East Palestine Derailment." Chief David Comstock of the Western Reserve Joint Fire District in Ohio testified at the hearing on the behalf of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). The hearing provided an opportunity for the NVFC to raise awareness of the need for critical funding for first responder training, equipment, and health screenings. need to...

New technology is constantly emerging to help keep first responders healthier and safer. To give more volunteer firefighters access to this innovative equipment, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with MSA Safety to award three NVFC members a personalized MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet in 2023.  Features   The jet-style design of the Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit, and houses its own integrated light module....

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with Anheuser-Busch for the fifth year to provide canned drinking water to volunteer fire departments that respond to wildfires. The emergency drinking water for Wildland Firefighters program will provide 1.5 million cans of clean drinking water to departments in 2023 to help them be ready for wildfires and other long incidents. water donation program Emergency drinking water for Wildland Firefighters program will provide 1.5 million c...

The International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Health, Safety, and Survival Section have announced the launch of a new Virtual Training Series designed to reduce preventable injuries and deaths in the fire service. These trainings cover a wide range of fire service topics, including assembling a peer support team, cardiac health awareness and the benefits of early detection, the impacts of bullying on members’ health and wellness, and how to choose the right occupational healthcare p...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), is offering a new Hazmat Train-The-Trainer program: Partners in Training (PIT) Crew. This project will help first responders gain the knowledge and skills they need to train others in their communities on hazmat safety and response. NVFC’s Hazmat train-the-trainer program The NVFC will provide 15 in-person tra...