The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) offers a series of live training webinars this summer. The courses cover a range of critical topics, including recruitment, retention, transitioning from a volunteer to combination department, leadership, and fire service funeral procedures.
Register for NVFC courses by going to https://nvfc.webex.com and clicking on the Upcoming Sessions tab under Live Sessions. If you have questions about NVFC courses, contact Allison Moore at amoore@nvfc.org or 202-887-5700.
Below are the descriptions and schedules for the upcoming courses. Each webinar lasts approximately one hour. The courses are free, but space is limited. Register early to ensure your place. You can also find the upcoming course schedules and access additional online training at www.nvfc.org/trainingeducation/nvfc-academy-online-training.
Recruitment and Retention in the Volunteer Emergency Services
These two webinars focus on recruitment and retention in the volunteer fire service, delving into the reasons why there has been a decline in the number of volunteers and providing recommendations and solutions to recruitment and retention challenges.
Recruitment
- Wednesday, July 25 — 2:00pm EDT
- Wednesday, August 15 — 2:00pm EDT
Retention
- Thursday, July 26 — 2:00pm EDT
- Thursday, August 16 — 2:00pm EDT
From Volunteer to Combination: Making the Transition
This webinar examines the challenges faced by departments making the transition from volunteer to combination. Topics covered include merging departments, personnel conflicts, adjusting to the presence of paid staff, managing growth and increased call volume, and recruitment and retention.
- Tuesday, July 31 — 2:00pm EDT
- Tuesday, August 21 — 2:00pm EDT
Leadership
Quality leadership is essential for the fire service to face current and future challenges. This webinar will examine leadership styles, qualities, and practices to help your department function at a high level by avoiding fire service leadership pitfalls.
- Wednesday, August 29 — 2:00pm EDT
- Wednesday, September 12 — 2:00pm EDT
Navigating Fire Service Funerals
Firefighting continues to be one of the nation’s most hazardous professions. According to the United States Fire Administration, about 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year in the U.S. It is only fitting, given the heroic efforts of fire service personnel, both paid and volunteer, that they be given the final respect they deserve. This webinar explains the steps needed to plan and carry out a fire service funeral.
- Thursday, August 30 — 2:00pm EDT
- Wednesday, September 19 — 2:00pm EDT
