In April 2024, Kevin Quinn, National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) director from Rhode Island, engaged in a reunion with the Greek volunteer fire service in Athens.
The gathering served as an opportunity for volunteer firefighters from across Greece to connect and share experiences.
Quinn, who represents the Union Fire District in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, has previously hosted delegations from Greece for training exercises.
This event, held in a spirit of collaboration, reinforced existing partnerships between American and Greek firefighters, allowing for an exchange of insights and reinforcing a commitment to shared learning and collaboration in emergency response.
According to Quinn, these types of reunions foster camaraderie and mutual support: “It’s meaningful to reconnect and reinforce our commitment to knowledge exchange and collaboration.”
The event highlighted the importance of international partnerships in strengthening volunteer fire services worldwide.
In May, Kevin Quinn furthered NVFC’s international reach by serving as the incident commander for a multi-nation search and rescue training operation in Calabria, Italy.
Nearly 300 participants from 16 countries joined the exercise, organized into 26 teams.
The operation involved responding to simulated earthquake scenarios across five different sites, challenging the teams to employ collaborative strategies under high-pressure conditions.
Quinn noted the event’s success: “The operation required extensive coordination and collaboration between diverse teams, each bringing their unique skills and expertise to the mission.”
The exercise demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated international responses and underscored the value of teamwork in managing resources and improving response strategies in complex emergency situations.
Germany/USA junior firefighter exchange program
The NVFC’s global engagement continued in August with the Germany/USA Junior Firefighter Training Exchange in Haverlah, Germany.
Thirty junior firefighters from Nassau County, New York, along with nine chaperones, participated in the week-long event.
Led by Quinn and NVFC National Junior Firefighter Program Advisory Group member Jerry Presta, the exchange offered young firefighters—14 female and 16 male—advanced training opportunities and the chance to build international relationships.
This initiative allowed junior firefighters from the U.S. and Germany to experience cross-cultural learning, enhancing their training while fostering bonds that contribute to a sense of global unity among the next generation of firefighting leaders.
The program highlights NVFC’s commitment to training young firefighters and promoting intercultural exchanges.
The NVFC’s international efforts included a September 26 meeting between NVFC second vice chair and Alabama director Reid Vaughan and Japanese firefighting representatives Takeshi Yamashita and Tetsuya Motojima.
Hosted at the Alabama Fire College, the meeting covered key challenges facing volunteer firefighters, including handling electric vehicle fires and a decline in volunteer numbers.
The session also explored potential solutions such as implementing financial and tax incentives to support volunteer firefighting.
Vaughan expressed admiration for the shared dedication of volunteer firefighters worldwide, stating: “It is clear that no matter where they are from, those that volunteer to respond to fire and emergencies as volunteers are all cut from the same cloth.”
In 2024, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has expanded its international collaborations, reflecting a focus on strengthening global relationships within the firefighting community.
Activities this year included a reunion in Greece with volunteer firefighters, coordinated by NVFC director Kevin Quinn, who emphasized shared experiences with Greek counterparts.
In Italy, Quinn led a large-scale search and rescue exercise, involving participants from 16 countries in a high-pressure simulation to enhance international cooperation.
Additionally, the NVFC organized a junior firefighter exchange in Germany, providing training for young firefighters from the U.S. and Germany.
Lastly, NVFC’s Reid Vaughan met with Japanese firefighting leaders in Alabama to address shared issues in volunteer firefighting, particularly related to electric vehicle fires and volunteer recruitment.
