This webinar will address the hot topic of the emergence and prevalence of Lithium Ion batteries across their many application - from small and hand-held devices, to tool applications, to recreational devices, and vehicle applications - passenger to commercial. Key concepts such as risk assessment and effective tactics will be addressed in this information packed webinar. The NVFC will allow for follow-up questions that will be answered by subject matter experts.

Fire and emergency services have encountered a downturn in staffing in recent years. Although recruitment and retention issues are present in many industries around the world, fire and emergency services agencies seem to be especially hard hit in the last few decades, putting communities at risk. Join the NVFC for this free webinar presented by Chief Debbie Carpenter to learn what has changed and what can be done to turn things around. This webinar will address issues relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including what factors make recruits want to join and stay with a department and what fire service administrators can do to address those needs. This webinar is sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group. Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help and empower people to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust their retirement, insurance, and wealth protection expertise to help address lifestyle, savings, and income goals, as well as to guard against long-term care expenses. Learn more at www.lincolnfinancial.com.

Over the last few decades, the world has adopted new methods of communication through the use of technology. Many industries have utilized social media to amplify their messaging and marketing, and the fire and emergency services can reap these same benefits. Yet many small and mid-sized departments don’t leverage social media to its fullest potential. Join Dave Denniston, Michael McLeieer, and Curt Varone for a panel discussion moderated by NVFC’s chief of communications, Kimberly Quiros, on the benefits social media can have for emergency service departments, the organizational framework for building a department’s social media presence, and legal implications and considerations to protect the department from unanticipated consequences. Whether you are a social media novice or are looking to grow your department’s existing social media program, learn key takeaways you can utilize to build and strengthen your department’s communications with the public.

Arson Awareness Week is May 1-7, and this year’s theme focuses on arson in homeless communities. In response to the increasing challenges and firefighter risk presented by vacant structures fires in areas with homeless populations, the Indianapolis Fire Investigation Section has partnered with various community stakeholders to help mitigate this growing and critical issue. In this presentation hosted by the National Volunteer Fire Council and U.S. Fire Administration, learn about this program’s successes and failures, including strategies that have been implemented to combat the issue of vacant residence fires, the difficulties in effectively prosecuting these cases, the complex nature of the growing homeless problem, and how to identify resources and develop fire prevention programs within the homeless community.

There are many challenges for firefighters and EMTs in developing nations. For instance, community members may not know how to contact fire or EMS services, so the first responders often arrive after devastating loss. There is also the danger of firefighters and EMS providers being assaulted when arriving on fire scenes. Despite these challenges, firefighters and EMTs in these countries are dedicated to supporting their communities through service. Firefighters in the U.S. can volunteer to train responders in developing nations like Kenya or Malawi to help them offer the best services possible to their communities. This webinar will provide an overview of the unique challenges facing first responders in developing nations, opportunities available to volunteer to train these responders, and how training focused on utilizing locally available resources can help to improve the fire service both abroad and at home.

Firefighters’ exposure to toxic contaminants during fire suppression activities has been one of the major research interests over the last decade. NFPA 1851 washing procedures have shown to have limited efficacy in removing certain contaminants from turnout gear. One new technique that shows promise is the use of liquid carbon dioxide (liquid CO2) due to its efficacy, limited effect on the material, and environmentally benign nature. This webinar presented by Bryan Ormond will discuss the basics of liquid CO2 cleaning, its efficacy in removing difficult contaminants, and its impact on material durability compared to a conventional washer extractor process.

This free webinar explores issues that challenge fire service leadership in their quest to offer comprehensive health and fitness programming to their members and offers solutions to these leadership obstacles. Presenter Richard Kline will also provide a roadmap for effective program design, obtaining support, and benchmarking success. This webinar is geared towards the combination and volunteer fire service sector and their leaders, and compliments the NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program in that it supports many of the findings and recommendations of this firefighter wellness initiative.

Struck-by-vehicle incidents continue to be a serious hazard for firefighters and EMS providers. Emergency service operations on roads and highways put personnel at serious risk of being struck by vehicles and injured or killed. Making sure personnel are trained in proper traffic incident management techniques can prevent tragedy. Join the NVFC and presenter Jack Sullivan for this webinar that offers guidance on how to conduct various types of operations on rural roads and highways, with emphasis on how to protect emergency personnel, the victims they are responding to assist, and other motorists in the vicinity of the incident. Strategies and tactics, new technology, and apparatus innovations that can help improve incident scene protection will be presented.

In this webinar, presenter Hersch Wilson will discuss how firefighters can emotionally prepare for difficult calls and how we can “bounce back” from the bad ones. The webinar is interactive to encourage participants to share their own best practices. Learning objectives: • Understand the importance of mental health in firefighting • Learn the six factors for building resilience • Discuss ways to instill resilient practices in departments • Discuss ways to “bounce back” from difficult calls • Discuss the responsibilities of officers in helping firefighters manage through the short and long term implications • Remember the goal: Physically and mentally healthy firefighters

The application period for FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program is open from Nov. 8-Dec. 17. There are important changes with this year’s program that departments need to know about before applying. To help prepare departments to submit an application, the National Volunteer Fire Council is hosting a webinar to discuss the changes. Come learn what you need to know to help make your department successful in acquiring AFG funding to meet your department’s equipment needs. Presenter David Lewis will review the basic requirements for the AFG grant program, discuss the data that must be collected prior to applying for a grant project, and provide an overview of the application review process and how successful applications are considered.