The NVFC will offer Incident Safety Officer Training, Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services, and Surviving the Job - Cancer in the Fire Service in Ludington, MI on January 10, 2026.

This year’s Safety Stand Down takes place June 15-21 with the theme “Break the Stigma: Behavioral Health RESET.” Fire and emergency service departments are asked to focus their training and education that week on the mental well-being of their crew and the daily topics of Recognize, Educate, Strategies, Empower, and Training. What does all this mean, and how can your department participate? Find out in this informative panel discussion! Learn why this year’s theme is so critical, resources and tools available, and what your department can do during Safety Stand Down and beyond. Safety Stand Down is a joint initiative of the IAFC, NVFC, IAFF, NFPA, and FDSOA.

Our webinars feature subject matter experts providing in-depth insights on key topics relevant to the fire and emergency services. These sessions offer valuable knowledge, practical strategies, and expert guidance in a convenient, virtual format. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and ask questions during a live Q&A.

Our Roundtable Talks feature subject matter experts leading discussions on key topics relevant to the fire and emergency services. These sessions provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and expert perspectives in an engaging, conversational format. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen, learn, and ask questions in a dynamic setting designed to foster knowledge-sharing and professional growth.

Women make up half of communities but only a small percentage of the fire service, making them a great potential audience for recruitment. While there are many benefits to being a firefighter, there are also challenges when it comes to recruiting and retaining women. Some of these include health risks, ill-fitting gear, discrimination, and limited workplace policies that can impact physical and mental wellbeing. In this webinar, Brittany Hollerbach from NDRI-USA, Inc. will share groundbreaking insights on the health issues specific to female firefighters and highlight practical strategies to address these challenges. Join us to explore how departments can improve recruitment, retention, and safety by implementing inclusive policies, health-focused programs, and supportive environments for women firefighters. This webinar is hosted by Fire Engineering.

Occupational cancer continues to have an impact on the lives of our firefighters. Since 2015, fire service organizations across this country have prioritized the occupational issue and improvements have been recommended for implementation within the framework of our operations at incidents. While we’ve seen improvements in our cancer initiative, the need to continue to provide education on this topic and its impact on our firefighters and their families must continue. In this webinar, Chief Brian McQueen of the National Volunteer Fire Council, Chief John Buckman III of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and Scott Beecher of Ward Diesel Filter Systems will discuss the specific actions outlined in the Lavender Ribbon Report that firefighters and their departments can take to reduce the risk of occupational cancer, as well as how departments can embed these practices into their operations and culture. Sponsored by Ward Diesel Filter Systems

What is the role of a fire department chaplain? How can your department enlist a chaplain and help them succeed? What do newly-appointed chaplains need to know? Join Chaplains Dick Brown, Jim Cook, Jimmie Duncan, and John F. Long, Jr. for a panel discussion on what a fire service chaplain does and why a fire department should consider having a trained chaplain as part of their operational command structure. Attendees will also learn about the role chaplains play in providing behavioral health support to help a department thrive.

This presentation involves an overview of behavioral health awareness for wildland firefighters, with an emphasis on understanding emotional and physical stressors. This course covers communication skills, addiction, depression, PTSD/PTSI, suicide statistics, retirement and creating a behavioral health program.

Subject matter experts discuss how first responders can take care of themselves both now and in the future, and provide practical tips for implementing self-care in everyday life, after a difficult call, and following a disaster.

Expert panelists discuss mental health and suicide prevention in the fire service, as well as how to support emotional wellbeing at your fire or EMS department.