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New Year, New Goals – and the NVFC can help!

January 6, 2019

As we head into 2019, it is a good time to map out new goals and changes you and your department want to achieve in the coming year. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is here to help! Whether your 2019 goals are related to health, safety, department staffing, or operational efficiency, we have many resources designed to assist you on your journey.

Health and Safety: Focusing on your physical and mental health will help you be best prepared for your role as a firefighter, EMS provider, or rescue worker. The NVFC has resources and training for individuals and departments regarding heart health, cancer prevention, behavioral health, safety, and standards. Whether your goal is to improve your personal health and safety or you are starting or expanding a department program, you can find resources at www.nvfc.org/ServeStrong.

Recruitment and Retention: Meeting staffing needs can be a critical challenge for volunteer and combination fire departments. The NVFC’s Make Me A Firefighter™ campaign department portal provides free customizable outreach materials as well as tools and tips to help you implement a successful recruitment campaign. Post your volunteer opportunities in the national database so potential volunteers visiting www.makemeafirefighter.org can find you. The NVFC also helps you get youth involved in the fire service through the National Junior Firefighter Program, so you can start fostering the next generation of the fire service now.

Non-operational Support: Fire and EMS departments have many responsibilities, and not all of these are operational. Community members can assist local departments with tasks such as administration, fundraising, fire prevention programs, station and apparatus maintenance, public relations, and much more. Learn how to utilize non-operational volunteers with the Fire Corps™ program at www.firecorps.org.

Training and Education: Training helps us be better prepared so we can be our best as firefighters and EMS providers. The NVFC provides 65 courses through the Virtual Classroom, and members can take all courses for free. In addition, the fourth NVFC Training Summit will take place June 14-15 in Portland, OR. This signature classroom event focuses on courses relating to health and safety, recruitment and retention, leadership, and fire prevention. NVFC members are eligible for a travel stipend to help them attend. If going back to school is on your agenda, the NVFC also provides members with discounts to online universities and fire service training sources. Learn more in the Members-Only section of the NVFC web site.

Advocacy: Take action in 2019 to help advocate for legislation that benefits the fire and emergency services. Sign up for alerts from the NVFC’s Legislative Action Center so you can contact Congress about key issues as they arise. Find more resources and tools to help you be a fire service advocate here.

Funding: Many volunteer and combination departments operate on small budgets that make it difficult to provide the equipment, training, and resources their personnel need. Learn about available funding opportunities and find tips and tools to help prepare grant applications and secure sponsorships here.

Be Your Best in 2019: Utilize your NVFC membership in 2019 to be your best as a firefighter or EMS provider. If you are not a member, join today. Members receive an array of benefits, including an AD&D policy; members-only resources; free training through the Virtual Classroom; access to the Volunteer Voices member forum; special rates on critical illness coverage; discounts on products and services from NVFC partners; educational discounts; ability to apply for members-only grant, scholarship, and give-away programs; and much more.

About the National Volunteer Fire Council
The National Volunteer Fire Council (the NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS and rescue services. Our work empowers firefighters and EMS personnel, as well as the people who support them. You can help us make a difference for hundreds of thousands of firefighters, EMS personnel and rescue personnel nationally.