National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) News

For the fifth year, ADT partnered with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to donate to volunteer fire departments during the holiday season. This December, ADT provided $10,000 donations to five departments in recognition of their tireless commitment to protecting our nation’s communities. “At ADT, we believe volunteer firefighters are true American heroes because they run into burning buildings to battle blazes while others flee, and they don’t get paid,” said B...

Emergency service operations on roadways put personnel at serious risk of being struck by vehicles, but proper traffic incident management techniques can prevent tragedy. The webinar, taking place on January 25 at 2 pm ET, will discuss strategies and tactics, new technology, and apparatus innovations that can help improve incident scene protection.

There is still time to apply for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to help fund important fire and EMS department resources, such as gear, equipment, vehicles, and training. The application deadline is December 17. There have been important changes to the grant this year, so read the program guidelines carefully.

On November 18, President Biden signed the Protecting America’s First Responders Act (S. 1511) into law. The bill contains language clarifying that members of fire departments who provide traffic incident management services, often referred to as fire police, are public safety officers and eligible to receive the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit (PSOB). Bill signing ceremony The bill also makes it easier to qualify for PSOB Disability and extends for two years a presumption that...

Due to the GPS in mobile phones, users live in a world where friends and family can track each other’s every move, mobile apps, and smart home devices to meet up, stay connected, and even watch one another make it safely home. But in an emergency, if a person calls 911 from a mobile phone, the operator likely has less information than a rideshare driver. Despite significant advances in technology that allows for the collection and sharing of geolocation information, few severely underfund...

Join the 3M Scott Fire & Safety Application Engineering Team for a free webinar on fireground communications. Whether one is charging into a burning building, accessing a roof for ventilation, or rescuing a victim, the ability to communicate on the fireground is paramount to a successful operation. Hosted by 3M Scott Fire & Safety, the webinar will be presented by application engineers Gary Silsby and Brad Harvey. The following topics will be discussed: Importance of fireground com...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the pioneering nonprofit membership association representing the interests of volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue personnel. The NVFC values its members and strives to offer benefits and programs that address the critical needs of the fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. In order to continue providing the best services possible for the members, the NVFC is making some updates to its member dues rates and Virtual Classroom fee...

The application period for FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is open, but there are important changes with this year’s program that departments need to know about before applying. Join the NVFC and presenter David Lewis for this webinar on December 1 at 2pm ET to review these changes, basic grant requirements, and tips for a successful application.

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year ...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. In its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC m...

The application period is now open for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. These grants help fire and EMS departments obtain needed resources such as gear, equipment, vehicles, and training. Important updates to the program have been made that departments need to be aware of when applying. About AFG Program The AFG program is one of three grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing th...

On October 27, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting America’s First Responders Act (S. 1511). Then on November 4, the Senate voted unanimously to agree to the House version of the bill. S. 1511 now goes to President Biden to be signed into law. “I’d like to thank Senator Grassley and Representative Pascrell, along with the many bipartisan cosponsors of the Protecting America’s First Responders Act, for their leadership in introducing and getting Congress...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and CHEMTREC are excited to announce that in honor of CHEMTREC’s 50th anniversary, five NVFC members have been awarded US$ 10,000 for their volunteer fire departments, through the 2021 CHEMTREC HELP (Hazmat Emergencies Local Preparedness) Awards. Funding is provided to strengthen the fire department's hazardous materials incident response capabilities and increase local readiness for hazmat events. 2021 CHEMTREC HELP Awards winners: Gilsum Fi...

Congratulations to Chief Garland Goracke from Meadow Grove (NE) Volunteer Fire & Rescue for winning a personalized MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet. Goracke is the third and final winner to receive a helmet from MSA in 2021 through the MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet Giveaway in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). Innovative and up-to-date equipment can help improve responder health and safety. That’s why MSA and the NVFC teamed up in 2021 to provide a Cairns...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia Southern University (CSU) have teamed up to award two members of the NVFC with a CSU scholarship. Each winner will receive tuition for up to 60 credit hours towards one of CSU’s online degree programs. The 2021 recipients are Trenton Hearndon of Tennessee Ridge, TN, and Dan Kuzio of Starksboro, VT. Hearndon began his fire service in 2006 as a junior firefighter while in high school. Since then, his career has varied from firefighter,...

Many firefighters have not received the essential training necessary to respond to fires and other incidents involving compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Join the NVFC for this webinar sponsored by Hexagon Agility on October 28 at 2 pm ET to highlight critical information firefighters need to know when responding to CNG vehicle incidents.  

The NVFC’s four-module Incident Safety Officer (ISO) training provides students with an overview of the role of an ISO and covers communications and safety, as well as the practical application of this information. For a limited time, take this course for free in the NVFC Virtual Classroom. Please note, this is not an ISO certification program The NVFC is offering this course free of charge for a limited time to all fire and emergency service members. NVFC courses are always free for NV...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year N...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC me...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over $1 million worth of gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. In 2021, 13 departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NV...

Volunteer firefighters who are also National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) members have one final chance to enter and win a personalized MSA Safety Incorporated’s MSA Cairns XF1 Fire Helmet. This is the last of three helmets that will be given out in 2021. MSA Cairns XF1 Fire Helmet The jet-style design of the Cairns XF1 Fire Helmet reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit, and houses its own integrated light module. Plus, the soft goods are removable, washable, and replaceable,...

For the second year, DripDrop Hydration (DripDrop ORS), a renowned rehydration therapy company, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the global association representing the volunteer fire, EMS (Emergency Medical Services), and rescue services, have teamed up to provide dehydration relief to volunteer firefighters. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) DripDrop is providing 200,000 sticks of their oral rehydration solution (ORS) to volunteer fire departments across the U.S. The donation co...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2021 Annual Fire Service Achievement Awards. NVFC’s awards recipients Theodore Schroll Jr. will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by ADT, Robert James will receive the Chief James P. Seavey Sr. Health and Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems, Paige Davis will receive the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty, and t...

MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA), DuPont Personal Protection (DuPont), and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed turnout gear, through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over US$ 1 million worth of fire safety gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need. Globe Gear Giveaway In 2021, 13 fire departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets, in order...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released a new fact sheet highlighting important elements of the NFPA 1584 Standard on the Rehabilitation Process for Members During Emergency Operations and Training Exercises. The new, at-a-glance resource debuts just in time for the 2021 Safety Stand Down campaign, “Rebuild Rehab,” later this month. Each year, NFPA works with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety, Health and Survival Section, the National...

MSA and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working together to provide the most innovative and up-to-date technology to help first responders improve their health and safety. Through June 30, NVFC members can enter to win a personalized MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet. To be eligible to enter, applicants must be an active U.S. volunteer firefighter and a member of the NVFC. Integrated light module This is the second of three entry periods to win an XF1 helmet throughout the year....

According to AAA, more than 9 in 10 Memorial Day travelers will drive to their destinations this year. The advocate for safe mobility predicts a 52 percent increase in vehicle travel this Memorial Day weekend over last year and reports that 34 million Americans are planning to take road trips now that COVID-19 restrictions are loosening up. In the interest of public and responder safety, leading fire service organizations are reminding firefighters, EMS providers, and roadside service provide...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) will host its inaugural Recruitment and Retention Experience on September 17-18, 2021, in Cleveland, OH. This interactive educational and networking conference is open to all volunteer firefighters and EMS providers nationwide, with sessions targeted toward department leadership and recruitment officers. Registration for the same has begun as space is limited. Safety and Health focused conferences The NVFC Recruitment and Retention Experience builds...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Columbia Southern University (CSU) are partnering for the 13th year to support volunteer responders by offering two scholarships to NVFC members to help them further their education in the fire and emergency services. Each scholarship will cover up to 60 credit hours towards one online degree program. CSU offers a wide range of accredited degree programs, including fire science, fire administration, occupational safety and health, and more. The uni...

The Josh Cellars brand is partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to recognize volunteer firefighters by producing a limited-edition, NVFC-branded bottle of Reserve Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon. For every bottle sold, Josh Cellars will donate one dollar to the NVFC (up to $150,000) for initiatives that support volunteer firefighters. “We are so appreciative of the tremendous support Josh Cellars gives to our volunteer fire service,” said NVFC chair Steve Hirsch. &ldqu...