The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors held its annual Fall Conference in Rapid City, South Dakota, on 22-24 September 2025.
The board is comprised of up to two Directors from 48 state associations and meets as a whole twice a year to conduct Council business and discuss matters of importance to the volunteer fire and emergency services.
Among those in attendance were 60 Directors from 39 states.
During the conference, the board discussed the status of the proposed OSHA Emergency Response Standard and next steps, as well as approved the framework of the organization’s five-year strategic plan.
The board also received updates on NVFC projects, partnerships and initiatives and reviewed proposed changes to the organization’s bylaws.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also recognized the NVFC as a National Firefighter Registry champion for the Council’s partnership and support of the Registry.
Several committees met to tackle critical issues impacting the NVFC and the nation’s volunteer fire and emergency services, including health, safety and training, recruitment and retention, legislative; standards and codes, wildland and more. In addition, the EMS/Rescue Section held its biannual meeting.
Along with the business side of the meeting, the board enjoyed a welcome social hosted by the South Dakota Firefighters Association (SDFA), the Chair’s Lunch cosponsored by Clarion Fire Group and Wendell’s Mint and a dinner hosted by SDFA and Pennington County Fire Services.
A networking breakfast sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T, a networking lunch sponsored by OnStar and continental breakfasts sponsored by Tesla, NFPA and Provident.
Breaks were sponsored by Columbia Southern University and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation. An auction, sponsored by ESIP, raised over $4,800 for the NVFC’s Health and Safety Fund. There was also a rehab unit demonstration from the South Dakota Auxiliary.
The National Volunteer Fire Council Board of Directors held its annual Fall Conference in Rapid City, SD, on 22-24 September 2025.
