The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that the next NVFC Training Summit will take place June 26-27, 2020, in Orlando, Florida. Pre-register here to save your spot and get updates as event information becomes available.

Launched in 2014, the Training Summit provides an opportunity for first responders from across the country to participate in valuable classroom training as well as exchange ideas and best practices with their peers. The NVFC’s signature annual conference is open to all volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, department leadership, and other fire department personnel. General and breakout sessions will address critical issues in first responder health and safety, recruitment and retention, and fire prevention.

More details, including a call for presentations, stipend program, travel information, and registration, will be available in the coming weeks. Pre-register for the Training Summit to stay informed of new event details.

Get a glimpse of the Summit by reading about the 2019 event, held in Portland, Oregon, here. Questions? Contact Rachel Buczynski, conference planner, at Rachel@nvfc.org or 202-887-5700.

About the NVFC

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, education, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Find out more at www.nvfc.org.

The new head of North Whidbey Fire and Rescue is no stranger to embattled departments. Tim Lemon came to the island after serving as chief of Chelan Fire and Rescue, where he oversaw a volunteer membership increase of nearly 77 percent. He said his recipe for success is to focus on both the individuals in uniform and those residing within district boundaries.
- PUB DATE: 8/28/2019 1:45:21 AM - SOURCE: Whidbey News-Times

VIDEO: A massive fire at a West Philadelphia church is finally under control after several hours. The blaze caused parts of the building to collapse onto the street. The three-alarm blaze erupted on Tuesday afternoon at the Greater Bible Way Temple on the 1400 block of North 52nd Street. Fire crews remained at the scene the entire night monitoring hot spots.
- PUB DATE: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KYW-TV CBS 3

New York City isn’t the only community dealing with an increase of first responder suicides. Nationally, suicides for both police officers and firefighters have surpassed line-of-duty deaths for the respective positions. In Lakewood, firefighters Ryan Fairbanks and Ryan Birth decided to tackle this epidemic by creating the Fire Peer Support initiative.
- PUB DATE: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cleveland.com

A 21-year-old former San Bernardino County Fire Explorer is suspected of starting numerous fires that resulted in more than $5 million in damages as a diversion to burglarize fire stations across Southern California, the Orange County Fire Authority said Tuesday. Christian David Saddler, of Hesperia, has been serving a five-year prison sentence on an arson and burglary conviction since July, authorities said.
- PUB DATE: 8/28/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTLA-TV WB 5 Los Angeles