As solar power systems become more common in homes and businesses, volunteer firefighters need to be ready for the unique challenges they present. This roundtable takes a practical, myth-busting approach to solar fire response — covering the three primary types of solar systems, Tesla battery classifications, and available suppression tools and tactics including PV extinguishers, tarps, and blankets. Panelists will explore what works, what doesn't, and what every department needs to know before arriving on scene at a solar-involved incident.

In today's fast-paced and high-pressure emergency services environment, emotional intelligence is an essential leadership skill. Effective leaders must be able to recognize and understand their own leadership styles, emotional responses, and decision-making tendencies in order to positively influence not only emergency scenes, but also the most valued resource – their personnel. This webinar explores the critical role emotional intelligence plays in fire and emergency services leadership. Participants will gain insight into the importance of self-awareness, relationship management, and leadership practices that foster trust, resilience, and professional excellence. Through practical discussion and real-world application, attendees will learn how emotionally intelligent leadership supports stronger teams, healthier volunteer cultures, and improved service delivery.

We train for emergencies every day, but preventing them starts before the sirens. Just as we go into schools to teach kids about fire safety, we can teach them about distracted driving. Join this NVFC webinar to learn about K-12 programs you can immediately implement in your community — from reading programs for K-1 students to classroom lessons, middle and high school presentations, and train-the-trainer resources. These programs have been evaluated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and found to be effective in changing attitudes and behaviors surrounding distracted driving. Let's stop talking about the problem and start doing something about it.

The transition from NFIRS to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is complete — volunteer departments are now required to use the new platform. So what comes next? In this webinar, the NERIS team will provide a live update on the platform's ongoing development, recent changes, lessons learned from departments already in the system, and strategies to help your department get the most out of NERIS. This is your opportunity to ask questions and stay ahead of what's coming.

Pipeline incidents can put responders and community members at risk as well as cause disruptions to needed services. Join this NVFC Roundtable Talk to hear from federal, fire service, and industry experts about steps your department can take to both prepare for and prevent pipeline emergencies. Learn about available training programs and resources to promote first responder readiness and help departments with creating and adopting policies and procedures to mitigate pipeline emergencies in their communities. The panelists will also discuss resources fire departments can use for public awareness campaigns, including updated PHMSA guidance to prevent emergencies by encouraging the public to contact 811 before they dig.

Firefighters are trained to use the right tool for every job, but that principle doesn't always carry over to PPE. Structural turnout gear is routinely used for EMS calls, MVAs, and technical rescues, leading to increased health risks, unnecessary wear on expensive equipment, and higher long-term costs. This webinar explores why alternative PPE – including wildland, technical rescue, and EMS-specific gear – is a critical strategy for today's volunteer fire service, and how matching the right gear to the right response can improve safety, reduce PFAS exposure, and lower costs for your department.

Are you fit for the fight? Safety Stand Down is coming up on June 14-20, a time when firefighters and EMS providers focus on critical health and safety issues so they can perform at their best, reduce injuries, and prevent line-of-duty deaths. This year’s theme is Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life. Join the NVFC and a panel of experts for this Roundtable Talk to help you get ready. Learn more about this year’s theme and the FITNESS daily topics, why fitness is an important part of responder readiness, and how you and your department can take part in Safety Stand Down. You’ll also learn about resources available to help you and your crew become Fit to Serve, Fit for Life.

Many homeowners rely solely on the fire department to protect their property during a wildfire – but that expectation does not reflect the reality of wildfire preparedness and response. Join the NVFC for this panel discussion that will explore the shared responsibility between fire departments and the communities they serve when it comes to wildfire mitigation. Attendees will gain a better understanding of common misconceptions around wildfire response and learn practical steps they can take to help residents protect their properties using available mitigation tools and resources.

The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) sunset on January 31, and the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is now the nation’s primary system for collecting fire incident data. This webinar, presented by Tyler Gibbs of Alpine Software, will provide volunteer fire service leaders with a practical overview of the transition from NFIRS to NERIS and what it means for department reporting. We’ll cover why the change is happening, key differences in structure and validation requirements, and the increased emphasis on accurate timelines, actions taken, and personnel documentation. The webinar will also address common misconceptions and outline practical steps chiefs can take to prepare their departments for a smooth and compliant transition. This webinar is sponsored by Alpine Software and presented by Tyler Gibbs of Alpine Software.

Volunteer fire and EMS departments are facing a growing crisis. Many departments struggle to recruit and retain members while call volumes – especially for medical emergencies – continue to increase. This NVFC Roundtable Talk will bring together fire and EMS leaders to explore the key challenges driving EMS recruitment and retention struggles in volunteer departments, including the time and financial demands of training and recertification, work-life balance, economic pressures, leadership gaps, and the disconnect between community expectations and the realities of volunteering. Participants will also discuss practical strategies and best practices to help departments attract new members and retain experienced ones for the long term.