National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) News

The final three recipients of MSA and DuPont’s 2023 Globe Gear Giveaway, conducted in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), have been selected. The Bell County Volunteer Fire Department (Pineville, KY), Broadway (VA) Volunteer Fire Department Inc., and Scotts Hill (TN) Fire Department will each receive four new sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help keep their crew safe. These donations wrap up the 2023 giveaway, in which a total of 52 sets of turnout gear an...

Through a U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) SPST grant, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is offering hazmat train-the-trainer events across the U.S. To help more people attend these important trainings, the NVFC will grant 10 NVFC members with stipends that reimburse up to $500 of eligible travel-related expenses. Applications are due by January 2. PIT Crew program   The Partners in Training (PIT) Crew program help...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently issued a Request for Information regarding the simplification of FEMA’s preparedness grants, which include Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The NVFC submitted comments prior to the November 7 deadline. The NVFC’s comments outlined how small, rural communities, particularly those with 2,500 or fewer residents, are almost entirely served by volunteer fir...

Since 2019, CHEMTREC® has partnered with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to help volunteer fire departments become better equipped to respond to hazardous materials incidents. In 2023, five NVFC members have been selected to receive $10,000 for their fire departments through the CHEMTREC® Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness (HELP) Award. The award will allow the departments to obtain critical training, equipment, and resources they wouldn’t otherwise be able to a...

The latest two winners of the 2023 MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway, conducted in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), have been selected. The Ellis Grove (IL) Volunteer Fire Department and Ripton (VT) Fire & Rescue will each receive four new jackets, pants, and helmets to better protect their responders. EGVFD The Ellis Grove Volunteer Fire Department (EGVFD) serves a population of 1,000 people in the Village of Ellis Grove and the surrounding area in so...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is accepting nominations for its annual fire service achievement awards. Recognize the contributions of a lifetime volunteer firefighter, a pioneer in health and wellness, an outstanding junior firefighter, or a successful junior firefighter program. Nominations are due by 5 pm EST on January 19 for the following awards. Lifetime Achievement Award This award recognizes a volunteer firefighter who has served at least 20 years and has made a major...

Every EMS provider knows the phrase “BSI Scene Safe,” but what does it really mean to develop and maintain a safe scene? This Volunteer Voices Live discussion on November 7 at 3pm ET will address that question along with the challenges EMS crews are facing that cause difficulty in gathering information or resources for scene safety. Come prepared to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another.

It’s critical that fire and emergency services personnel know how to write a successful grant narrative so they can secure funding for their local fire/EMS department. This course, which is sponsored by Josh Cellars, walks through various funding opportunities that are available, including government and private grants, and educates participants on how to write a successful narrative. Take it free for a limited time in the NVFC Virtual Classroom.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) attended the second U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control on October 10 at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD. The event was hosted by U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and was attended by key leaders in the fire service and federal government, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Federal Emergency Management Agen...

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced that it will award over $30 million to support first responders and strengthen local efforts to respond to hazardous materials incidents. “Firefighters and other local public servants are the everyday first responder heroes that we rely on to immediately run to the emergency,” said PHMSA Deputy Administrator - Tristan Brown, adding “These grants provide ou...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) strives to provide volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue workers with the resources they need when they need it. Recognizing the gap in behavioral health support services for many volunteers, the NVFC partnered with Provident to launch the First Responder Helpline in October 2022. NVFC Responder Helpline Similar to an employee assistance program, the NVFC First Responder Helpline is there in times of crisis as well as to provide suppo...

Is the fire department looking for a way to increase non-operational support, enhance community relations, and create a pipeline for recruitment? Then start a junior firefighter program. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has released an updated Junior Firefighter Program Starter Kit to help departments build the framework for a successful youth program. This update was made possible with support from California Casualty. Junior firefighter programs  Departments get needed...

Is the fire department looking for a way to increase non-operational support, enhance community relations, and create a pipeline for recruitment? Then they should start a junior firefighter program. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has released an updated Junior Firefighter Program Starter Kit to help departments build the framework for a successful youth program. This update was made possible with support from California Casualty. NVFC’s Junior Firefighter Program Starter Kit...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce it has received a US$ 1.4 million Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These grants enable the organization to implement critical programs and initiatives that support firefighter health and safety and mitigate risks that can lead to line-of-duty injuries and deaths. Use of FP&S grants With funding from FP&S grants, the NVFC has been able to support responde...

Many volunteer fire departments struggle to obtain adequate personal protective equipment for their members. This is why MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have partnered since 2012 to donate new gear to departments in need through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway.  2023 giveaway recipients In 2023, 13 volunteer fire departments will be selected to receive four new sets of turnout gear and four new helmets each. The first 500...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that it will host its signature annual conference, the NVFC Training Summit 2024, on June 21-22, 2024, in Buffalo, New York, USA.  The NVFC is now accepting proposals from qualified instructors and speakers for presentations to educate first responders about critical issues in the fire and emergency services. Submit the proposal by October 1, 2023. NVFC Training Summit The NVFC Training Summit provides an opportunity to sh...

Anheuser-Busch has released the latest chapter in its “That’s Who We Are” campaign with a tribute to the dedicated network of employees, partners, and first responders who support local communities in times of need. drinking water program Launching in time for National Preparedness Month in September, the new “We Can’t Predict. We Can Prepare.” spot builds on Anheuser-Busch’s 35-year commitment to disaster relief efforts. This ad spotlights those who...

A contribution from Dow has increased the number of volunteer fire departments to receive US$ 10,000 through the 2023 CHEMTREC® HELP Award in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). The CHEMTREC® Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness (HELP) Award is designed to help volunteer fire departments increase local preparedness and response capabilities for hazardous materials incidents. Thanks to Dow, a total of five recipients will be selected to receive US$ 10,000 each i...

Each year, MSA Safety Incorporated, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partner to award volunteer fire departments much-needed personal protective equipment through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Since the program began in 2012, 663 sets of turnout gear have been donated to 147 departments. In 2023, an additional 13 volunteer fire departments will be selected to each receive four new sets of turnout gear and four new helmets. The first 500 ap...

Successful and high-performing fire and EMS departments support their members and make health and well-being top priorities. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has launched a new initiative to motivate and recognize departments that are taking the important steps needed to create a psychologically healthy fire department (PHFD). Departments can take part in the initiative by pledging their commitment to support their members. To participate, departments must do the following: Have at...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) joins with other national fire service organizations to strongly oppose proposed cuts to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants programs provide critical funding to help fire departments secure needed equipment, training, and staffing to adequately protect their communi...

MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have partnered for the 12th year to help volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed personal protective equipment. Through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway, 13 fire departments will be awarded four new sets of state-of-the-art turnout gear and helmets in 2023. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA. Outdoor recreation accidents The first two recipien...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partnered with DripDrop Hydration, PBC, an electrolyte rehydration company, for the fourth year to provide dehydration relief to volunteer firefighters. More than 2,700 cases (547,000 servings) of DripDrop’s electrolyte drink mix have been donated to 1,544 volunteer fire departments to help keep their firefighters at their best while serving their community. Dehydration is a serious concern for firefighters and can cause decreased performance as...

Anheuser-Busch, together with its wholesaler partners and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), will provide another one million cans of clean drinking water to volunteer fire departments that respond to wildfires. Through the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program, 1.5 million cans were allocated to over 600 departments during a previous application period in March. This addition means over 1,000 departments will receive 2.5 million cans of water in 2023. Hydration i...

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...