National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) News

Thanks to Anheuser-Busch, volunteer fire departments who respond to wildland fires can now apply for canned emergency drinking water through the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) for their immediate or upcoming wildfire response needs. Fighting Wildfires The Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program supports volunteer departments across the U.S. fighting wildfires throughout the year by helping provide critical hydration when it is needed most.  “We appreciate...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the non-profit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services, has announced a partnership with DRONERESPONDERS – the world’s fastest growing program supporting public safety – to help coordinate, cooperate, and co-promote efforts to enhance the use of drones in the pursuit of public safety. Drone Operations The memorandum of understanding outlines the key initiatives under which th...

On January 28, Senators Jacky Rosen and Deb Fischer introduced the HERO Act, S. 3244, companion legislation to H.R. 1646, which was introduced last year by Representatives Ami Bera and Brian Fitzpatrick. The HERO Act establishes a series of programs to address public safety behavioral health issues, including: Creates a grant program for peer-support behavioral health and wellness programs at fire departments and EMS agencies Directs the U.S. Fire Administration in coordination with the Depa...

The application period is now open for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway program! Sponsored by MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the 2020 Global Giveaway Program will equip 13 volunteer fire departments with four new sets of state-of-the-art turnout gear and four new helmets to enhance their firefighters’ safety. Since the program began in 2012, 507 sets of turnout gear have been awarded to 108 departments, for a total of over $1 million worth of life-saving perso...

The Homes for Heroes Foundation has donated $5,000 to the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund in order to assist volunteer firefighters and EMS providers impacted by a disaster. This is the second donation the Foundation has made to the Support Fund; in December, they contributed $7,500 to help volunteer responders in need. Joanne Hilliard presented NVFC staff with a $7,500 donation from Homes for Heroes for the NVFC Volunteer Firefighter Support Fu...

The U.S. Census will take place in 2020. Fire departments have shown interests in becoming a partner with the Census Bureau to encourage their local community to participate. The partners come together to spread the message about the importance of participation in their communities. These trusted voices serve as census ambassadors, helping to create awareness about the importance of participating. Partners run the spectrum of government, nonprofit, corporate, and community organizations that sp...

Registration is now open for the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) 2020 Training Summit, which will take place June 26-27 in Orlando, FL. The conference is open to all volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, department leadership, and other fire department personnel from across the United States. Travel stipends are available to help more people attend. 2020 NVFC Training Summit This two-day classroom-based training event is an opportunity to learn from leading subject matter exper...

Roadway operations bring great risks to emergency responders. The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) reports that 44 responders were struck and killed while working on roadway incidents in 2019, and seven have been struck and killed in the first two weeks of 2020. To prevent future tragedies and enhance the safety of firefighters, EMS providers, and other responders, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has joined with national fire service organizations in issuing a survival mes...

Each spring, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) honors a volunteer firefighter who has provided a lifetime of service, a volunteer firefighter or EMS provider who has demonstrated leadership in the area of responder health and wellness, an outstanding junior firefighter, and an exemplary junior firefighter program. All recipients receive a personalized award and national recognition. NVFC Lifetime Achievement AwardThe NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by OnStar, recognizes a...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) provided 13 volunteer fire departments with needed personal protective equipment through MSA’s 2019 Globe Gear Giveaway. Each department received four sets of new, state-of-the-art turnout gear along with four helmets to better protect their members. This year marks over $1 million worth of gear that has been donated to volunteer fire departments in need since 2012. In total, 507 sets of turnout gear have been awarded to 108 depar...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has some exciting membership news to start out 2020. The NVFC strives to offer the best services for thier members, and also want to make sure membership is affordable for volunteers. That is why they are introducing a new single-category individual NVFC membership. No more categories, no more confusion — just one membership level at one low price. Access To Online Training NVFC membership still provides the same important benefits as before, su...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have awarded essential turnout gear to fire departments in Illinois and Ohio through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway. This annual program began in 2012 and provides much-needed gear to volunteer fire departments in the U.S. and Canada. In 2019, a total of 13 departments will each receive four new sets of state-of-the-art turnouts to help them increase the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a compliment...

When a fire starts, every second counts. Fire extinguishers can help save lives when used quickly and effectively. Yet an astonishing 70% of fire extinguisher owners say they would not be comfortable using an extinguisher in the event of a fire according to recent research. For this reason, First Alert and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have developed a new fire extinguisher training course for volunteer fire departments nationwide, supplemented by an extinguisher donation program fo...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), an organization representing the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services, has been awarded a federal Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grant from FEMA to focus on responder behavioral health initiatives. The $278,900 grant will allow the NVFC to develop new tools and resources to help volunteers who are experiencing issues impacting their mental wellbeing. Need For Support Services And Resources Firefighters have a high rate of...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that the next NVFC Training Summit will take place June 26-27, 2020, in Orlando, FL. Pre-register here to save your spot and get updates as event information becomes available. NVFC Training Summit 2020 Launched in 2014, the Training Summit provides an opportunity for first responders from across the country to participate in valuable classroom training as well as exchange ideas and best practices with their peers. The NVFC&rsq...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have awarded new turnout gear to two additional departments through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway. A total of 13 fire departments will each receive four new sets of state of the art turnouts in 2019 to help them increase the safety of their firefighters and safety personals. To be eligible to apply for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway awards, fire departments had to fulfill the criteria of being all volunteer or mostly volunteer, serv...

MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have teamed up again to help volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed gear through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway. This annual program began in 2012 and has provided 255 sets of gear to 45 departments to date. In 2019, another 13 departments will each receive four new sets of gear. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA. The first two recipients of the MSA’s 2019 Globe Gear Giveaw...

CHEMTREC, the source of 24/7 call center support and information during hazardous materials incidents, partners with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to offer the CHEMTREC HELP (Hazmat Emergency Local Preparedness) Award. Through this program, two volunteer fire departments will be awarded $7,500 to help enhance their response capabilities and increase local readiness to respond to and prepare for hazardous materials incidents. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible to apply for the CH...

Anheuser-Busch will deliver approximately 300,000 cans of emergency drinking water to 26 of the country’s volunteer fire departments, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), to provide critical hydration to first responders in advance of wildfire season. Anheuser-Busch announced the expansion of its 30-year-old emergency drinking water program in April, and has committed to donating one million cans of clean drinking water in support of volunteer fire departments i...

Firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue personnel routinely face situations that can impact their behavioral health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and now is a great opportunity to evaluate your own risk factors as well as implement behavioral health training and awareness in your department so that all personnel have access to immediate help. Mental Health Awareness Program Firefighters and emergency personnel are at risk for many behavioral health issues including PTSD, stress, anxie...

Anheuser-Busch announced the company is expanding its emergency drinking water program in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to deliver critical hydration to volunteer firefighters across the country. The new partnership will kick off with a donation of one million cans of clean drinking water in support of volunteer fire departments in 2019, beginning this spring in advance of wildfire season. Critical Hydration For Firefighters As the country faces more natural disa...

Once every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to an alarm somewhere in the United States. Two-thirds of these departments are all-volunteer. Most are also underfunded. That means many of the firefighters who risk their lives every day to protect people, property, and pets are doing their jobs with outdated or otherwise inadequate equipment. Georgia-Pacific launched its Bucket Brigade program to help support local fire departments and the brave men and women who strive to keep their communit...

To raise awareness of occupational cancer risks and firefighter contamination, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Safety Health & Survival Section, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have launched the ‘Fire Service Safety Stand Down Quiz’ Sweepstakes. The informative and interactive online quiz emphasizes the importance of the 2019 Safety Stand Down theme, ‘Reduce Your Exposure: It’s Everyone&r...

Members of the fire and emergency services pledge to serve and protect their communities from hazards of all kinds. Yet instances of bullying, harassment, and discrimination within the emergency services ranks persist. These actions are detrimental to the fire service, putting members in danger, discouraging people from joining or staying in the service, and tarnishing the reputation of the entire fire service community. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), International Association of B...

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) announces the 2019 Safety Stand Down theme. This year’s ‘Reduce Your Exposure: It’s Everybody’s Responsibility’ campaign will take place June 16-22, focusing on increasing understanding of occupational cancer risks and implementing recommendations in the Lavender Ribbon Report, developed by the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) and the NVFC. Firef...

Many volunteer departments are forced to make do with an inadequate amount of turnout gear or with worn-out, non-compliant gear they can’t afford to replace. That’s why MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working together again in 2019 to distribute new turnout gear to volunteer fire departments through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway Program. This annual program began in 2012 to help departments in need properly outfit their crew. To date, the program has...

Registration and course selection are now open for the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Training Summit. The Summit will take place June 14-15 in Portland, OR, and is open to all volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, department leadership, and other fire department personnel from across the United States. This two-day seminar is an opportunity to share ideas and best practices, network, and participate in valuable training. The conference will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton...

To celebrate and support the nearly 70 percent of firefighters who volunteer their service, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire has announced a partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). A donation of $75,000 will be made by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire to the NVFC to help support volunteer firefighters nationwide. Health & Safety Of Firefighters The NVFC is a non-profit membership association representing the interests of volunteer fire, EMS and rescue services. The...

Many volunteer departments are forced to make do with an inadequate amount of turnout gear or with worn-out, non-compliant gear they can’t afford to replace. That’s why MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are working together again in 2019 to distribute new turnout gear to volunteer fire departments through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway Program. This annual program began in 2012 to help departments in need properly outfit their crew. To date, the program ha...

Maintaining adequate staffing is a key challenge facing many volunteer fire departments. While not a new issue, increasing population and call volumes along with the expanded services many volunteer departments now provide have made recruiting and retaining volunteers a top priority in the fire service. The federal government supports volunteer recruitment and retention through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, administered by the Federal Emergency Man...