We lose more firefighters each year to suicide than in the line of duty. Yet while every fire department’s calendar is full of training for safety on the fireground, how much time is focused on mental and emotional health? In this free webinar, Hersch Wilson, volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Hondo Fire Department in Santa Fe County, NM, will discuss the impact of the firefighter’s world on mental and emotional health and the risk of suicide among first responders. Attendees will be given ideas and advice to help build a more resilient culture within their department and learn why ignoring mental health is not an option.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently released updates related to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, and Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grant programs. In this webinar, David Lewis, the NVFC's Maryland Director and the NVFC representative to the AFG, SAFER, and FP&S criteria development process, will discuss these updates in detail. Attendees will also learn about FEMA's plan for rolling out the FY 2020 grant application periods, the second round of AFG-S funding for volunteer and combination fire departments, frequently asked questions related to the FEMA GO grants management system, and FEMA’s decision to extend the period of performance for FY 2018 AFG and other grants.

Creative and strategic fundraising for volunteer fire and EMS organizations has never been more important. Having a clear plan, specific goals, and precise execution are keys to ensuring you make the most of those valuable hours donated by your members. Join David Denniston of McNeil & Co. for this webinar on how to achieve success with your fundraising efforts, especially in these unusual times. Whether you have been fundraising for decades or just started to feel the pinch, this webinar will explore how to determine your fundraising needs, what options are available, and how to maximize your results.

Quality leadership is essential for the fire and emergency services to accomplish the mission and improve your department. Join Steve Hirsch, NVFC Chair, for this free webinar that will examine leadership styles, qualities, and best practices to help your department function at a high level and avoid fire and emergency services leadership pitfalls.

Verizon recognizes the critical role first responders play in emergencies. Access to quality applications and the ability to use your personal device to communicate are paramount to the success and outcome of any mission. Join the NVFC and Verizon for this webinar that will review two of Verizon’s first responder priority services for personal wireless devices, at no additional cost: Verizon Mobile Broadband Priority and Wireless Priority Service. The presenters will also highlight available apps that first responders can use to assist in response activities.

Join the NVFC and Federal Emergency Management Agency for this free webinar that will review the delivery of the Public Assistance (PA) program to support fire and EMS departments in their response to COVID-19.

Many volunteer and small-town fire chiefs often find it challenging to fully implement NFPA standards in their department. What you may not realize is that fire chiefs have the power to decide which NFPA standards to use and how to use them (except when state law requires otherwise). Join Chief Joe Maruca of West Barnstable (MA) Fire Department in this NVFC webinar to learn how small-town fire chiefs can use their power to modify and adapt NFPA standards to fit your local situation and provide the most benefit to your department.

Join the NVFC, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U. S. Fire Administration, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for this free webinar that will review current research and best practices on preserving and decontaminating personal protective equipment and use of the Battelle Decontamination System to extend the lifespan of N95 respirators.

The spread of COVID-19 has more than just physical health implications. It also creates uncertainty and changes in lifestyle that can have an emotional impact. Firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue workers may be feeling the impact especially hard as they navigate the new realities of responding and maintaining operations during this crisis. Join Jeff Dill, founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, for this free NVFC webinar to discuss strategies and resources your department can implement to reduce your first responders' stress and anxiety and proactively address other behavioral health concerns.

Join the NVFC and Sara Jahnke, PhD, Director of the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research for this free webinar to discuss the current research on these modifiable risk factors in the fire service setting and why mitigating risk factors requires not only individual, but system level changes in policies, practices, and cultural norms by fire departments.