Junior firefighter programs provide fire and EMS departments the opportunity to engage local youth in learning about, and ultimately becoming members of, the emergency services. However, starting a program and finding interested juniors can seem challenging. Connecting with a high school is a great way to introduce your program to local youth and identify strong candidates for service. This webinar on November 15 at 4pm ET, presented by Ellen Yarborough, will walk through how your department can secure a partnership with your local high school as well as what motivates Generation Z to serve. This webinar is sponsored by ESO, the largest software and data solutions provider to fire departments and EMS agencies. ESO offers an integrated suite of software products for EMS agencies, fire departments, and hospitals that are transforming the way first responders collect, share, report, and analyze critical information to improve community health and safety. Learn more at eso.com/fire.

Distracted driving persists at high levels despite the effort of many national campaigns. Why haven’t we been able to significantly change driving behaviors? Perhaps it’s because we haven’t given drivers the right reasons to change. Responders are in peril every time they go to a crash scene because of distracted drivers. It is incumbent on responders to take action now to reduce distracted driving crashes. Education needs to start early – fire departments across the country have made distracted driving education for grades K-12 part of their community risk reduction plans. Join presenter Joel Feldman for this webinar to learn about new research-based approaches that have been proven effective in changing attitudes and driving behaviors, and how you can do the same with tested materials.

This empowering, highly anticipated sequel builds upon Part 1 and focuses on two essential tools: Emotional Labeling and the Pause Trifecta. Led by Kerry Mensior, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and executive director of IDEA (International De-Escalation Association), this session delves into the precise application of these techniques. Discover how to avoid common pitfalls, harness de-escalation effectively, and learn the intricacies of the innovative Pause Trifecta. Kerry Mensior's extensive background as a first responder, including years as a firefighter and emergency medical technician, brings unmatched expertise to this invaluable training. Enhance your de-escalation skills, mitigate negative reactions, and contribute to a safer community. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a renowned expert in the field.

Recruitment and retention are two of the most pressing challenges facing many volunteer fire and EMS departments. This webinar, presented by Colby Cagle, will identify bad habits developed in today's volunteer fire service that can impact recruitment and retention, debunk some common generational myths, and share takeaways and pro tips that you can apply in your local department. It will also explore resources to help improve local volunteer recruitment and retention. This webinar is sponsored by ESO, the largest software and data solutions provider to fire departments and EMS agencies. ESO offers an integrated suite of software products for EMS agencies, fire departments, and hospitals that are transforming the way first responders collect, share, report, and analyze critical information to improve community health and safety. Learn more at eso.com/fire.

We are now over halfway through the first session of the 118th Congress and there has been significant movement on some of the NVFC’s legislative priorities, including reauthorization and funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), and U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). The NVFC has also voiced support for a number of other policy initiatives that would address critical issues facing the fire service, such as the expansion of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program to cover cancer and improve firefighter mental and physical wellbeing. This webinar, presented by NVFC chief of legislative and regulatory affairs Ryan Woodward, will provide an update on fire service legislation and what you as an NVFC member can do to help continue the progress that has been made.

Sometimes lessons can come from surprising sources. Take the movie Top Gun. If we look closely with a recruitment and retention lens, there is much we can glean about building a strong team culture, providing effective communication, the importance of mentorship and recognition, and creating a strong sense of purpose and mission. These are all key elements for a successful recruitment and retention strategy. This webinar, presented by Walter Campbell, will explore the key strategies and lessons from Top Gun that can be used to enhance your fire or EMS department’s recruitment, retention, engagement, teambuilding, and communication. This webinar is sponsored by First Arriving. First Arriving stands as a respected leader in technology, catering to the unique needs of public safety and local government sectors. As a premier marketing and business operations services company, we specialize in serving fire, EMS, law enforcement, and local government entities. Our expertise lies in providing strategic marketing services, recruitment and retention and retention strategy, website development, impactful video production, digital dashboards, and efficient business management solutions.

The use of modern energy storage system (ESS) technology, including lithium-ion batteries, has exponentially increased over the last decade and is now in almost every facet of our daily lives. In part 2 of this webinar series, presenters Tom Miller and David Bullard will walk you through the different types of ESS located in your area as well as plans for future development. Additionally, you will learn what resources and structured plans your fire department needs to be properly prepared for a response situation involving ESS technology.

Huntington, WV, was at the forefront of the opioid epidemic that has swept across the country. As a result of this lingering epidemic, the job of first responders has changed drastically, placing more stress than ever on those that serve our communities. This presentation by Huntington Fire Chief Jan Rader will provide an overview of the opioid crisis in Huntington and the programs that have been put in place to assist first responders that serve on the frontlines of this epidemic. This webinar is sponsored by PH&S Products. PH&S Products, an ISO 9001 (with design) certified company, is a leader in the designing and development of innovative hand protection for municipal government agencies as well as emergency response teams and other agencies in the public health and safety market. All glove styles are manufactured to the strictest standards of quality including several NFPA certified gloves. The “Get-A-Grip” glove is FDA certified glove for first responders that gives permeation protection against fentanyl, heroin and gastric acid when encountered with an opioid incident.

Youth firesetting is an ongoing problem throughout the United States and around the world. Fire misuse behaviors in children may be attributed to curiosity or experimentation. Children observe adults using matches/lighters but may not be taught about important fire safety practices. They may also observe unsafe uses of fire in media, videos, and gaming. The fire misuse may be motivated by other things in a child’s life, such as underlying struggles with impulse control, emotional regulation, social/interpersonal skills, childhood trauma, or other behavioral/mental health conditions. It is the intention of this presentation to share current best practices and tips to prevent and mitigate firesetting youth in communities across the country.

Many of us have taken the basic four-hour National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training Course, but now what? Since 2019, 33 fire and EMS providers have been struck and killed in the United States along with another 173 law enforcement, tow truck operators, and DOT workers. This webinar presented by Todd Leiss will look at next steps for you and your agency including developing an SOP/SOG for roadway safety, additional training, implementing an ongoing training plan, and preparing our personnel, apparatus, and equipment for a safer roadway response.