Congratulations, you’re a training officer! But…how to do you teach adult learners? When we think of the science of how humans learn, we often think of children (i.e., pedagogy). However, there are learning theories unique to adults: how people learn in formal and informal ways once they are over 18. Many training officers (in all industries) find themselves in the role of educator with little to no background knowledge of andragogy (the science of adult learning). Understanding more about andragogy can help you further build your skillset as a fire department trainer and reinforce techniques you’re already using.

So, you’ve reserved a spot to testify at OSHA’s upcoming public hearing regarding the proposed Emergency Response Standard. Have questions about what to say? The hearing procedure? How to answer questions from the OSHA panel and the audience? This session will cover the answers to these questions and allow time for audience Q&A so that you’re prepared for your testimony.

It happens, even in environments where people volunteer: one member alleges harassment by another member. Whether it was a misunderstanding or something overt, the alleged harassment must be addressed while maintaining all your usual department operations. This webinar, led by attorney Alisa B. Arnoff, will provide you with practical and legal strategies designed to prepare you to manage a harassment allegation if one arises.

Engaging the community in roadway safety is a key part of reducing first responder injuries and death in traffic incident management. Just in time for your fall open house, this webinar will discuss ways to incorporate key topics such as “move over,” preventing distracted driving, and how to pass an emergency scene safely in your community education initiatives.

Community education is a key part of the fire service, but departments don't always have funding or resources to implement these programs. Presenter Angela Potter will cover how she connected with other fire and life safety educators, found resources, and developed a regional program to increase knowledge in her own community and beyond. Key topics will include finding free and low-cost resources that you can utilize for your program; building effective outreach plans; and collaborating with other educators to increase your collective impact.

The public comment period for OSHA’s proposed Emergency Response Standard has closed, and a public hearing is scheduled. So what happens now? In this session, presenter David Denniston will provide a brief overview of the proposed standard, what it could mean for your organization, where we are in the process, and what comes next. Attendees will hear a summary of the public comments published to date and how you can take action by testifying at the informal hearing and communicating with your elected officials. The session will conclude with time for Q&A.

The public comment period has ended for OSHA’s proposed Emergency Response Standard, so what happens now? Join Ryan Woodward, NVFC chief of legislative and regulatory affairs, for an overview of OSHA’s upcoming virtual public hearing regarding the proposed standard. The hearing will begin on November 12, and anyone who submits a written request by September 27 can testify. This webinar will focus on how the hearing will be structured, how to testify, and what witnesses may want to focus on in their testimony.

Move over millennials, there’s a new kid in town. Generation Z – those born between 1997-2012 – are becoming young adults. Harnessing the energy and potential of Gen Z volunteers is crucial for organizational success. This session will explore the unique characteristics, motivations, and communication preferences of Gen Z individuals to equip you with the tools necessary to attract and retain this dynamic demographic. From leveraging social media platforms to understanding their passion for purpose-driven initiatives, participants will explore innovative strategies tailored to effectively recruit and empower Gen Z volunteers.

First responders are routinely exposed to traumatic events, and many are still suffering from the psychological toll of frontline work during the pandemic. Experiencing these traumas and situations that go against a person’s deeply held beliefs and expectations can result in post-traumatic stress or a moral injury. In this webinar, presented by Wendy Norris, discover how moral distress and survivor guilt impact the mental well-being of first responders and learn practical strategies to overcome these challenges. This session will also offer insights into coping with traumatic events and reconnecting with our values. This webinar was sponsored by ESO.

Utility-scale battery energy storage is a critical component to achieving decarbonization objectives while maintaining a reliable and resilient power grid. Deployment of utility-scale battery energy storage capacity is accelerating dramatically in the U.S. However, both local firefighters and people living near proposed energy storage project sites have questions about the safety of these facilities. This presentation by Mike Simpson of AES will address the characteristics of lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS), potential hazards such as thermal runaway, and new approaches to mitigate those risks. These advancements encompass equipment safety approaches; a four-stage approach to effective protection against thermal runaway; advancements in enclosure design; monitoring systems; standardized testing; codes and standards; safety evaluation processes; and passive and active safety measures. The presentation will also provide examples of how clean energy project developers can work together most effectively with local fire departments on hazard mitigation analyses, project site design refinements, and emergency response planning to further enhance energy storage safety.