Webinars

How to Participate

Pre-register to receive the webinar address and other participation instructions for an upcoming webinar. All webinars are free-of-charge.

10 Things I Have Learned Being Fire Chief

May 14, 2024 Online

Learn about the biggest challenges facing chiefs are staying on top of the ever-changing political landscape.

VCOS Town Hall

May 21, 2024 Online

This webinar will be an interactive panel discussion that is open to attendee questions

Lessons Learned from a Line of Duty Death

May 28, 2024 Online

This webinar will review the "Lessons Learned" report detailing the 2007 line-of-duty death of Firefighter Kyle Wilson

The Modern-Day Recruiter

June 11, 2024 Online

Learn from insightful data and creative recruitment and retention strategies

What is the Motivational Climate in Your Department?

June 25, 2024 Online

This webinar will review issues that leaders can influence and impact efforts toward retention and recruiting volunteers.

Change Your Behavior -- Mental Paradigm Shift

July 16, 2024 Online

This webinar will address the long-term effects of stress on your health and wellness.

Virtual Reality Training Is In Your Future

July 23, 2024 Online

This webinar will explore the potential applications of VR training within the fire service

Building Tomorrow's Leaders with Passion and Pride

July 30, 2024 Online

This webinar explores different types of leadership and the impact it has on your department.

What Will I Do When I Retire?

September 17, 2024 Online

During this webinar, panelist will share secrets to success in retirement and the unique challenges they've faced

E.S.C.A.P.E.

October 22, 2024 Online

This webinar will introduce you to the nationally acclaimed E.S.C.A.P.E. fire prevention program.

We're looking for your help!

Interested in presenting a webinar? We set the stage. You bring your best effort, a good topic and engage our audience. Email Chief John Buckman for more information.

Top Five Actions or Inactions That Will Create Legal Challenges for You

This webinar outlines several issues (out of hundreds) that could place your department in legal jeopardy

Red Ribbon Report

Learn about the tools developed by the VCOS to assist local decision-makers make appropriate and timely decisions

Why Diversity Matters

The importance of teaching diversity as a Chief Officer

When a Firefighter Dies: Beyond the Dollars and Sense

This webinar will delve into the emotional topic of a firefighter line-of-duty death

Exit Interviews

Webinar will review the importance of conducting exit interviews for career and volunteers

Mental Fitness Training for Life

The webinar introduces a method of leadership development based on brain science, called Positive Intelligence

Webinar Library

Whole Community Planning for Disaster

Self-Paced Online

This course will provide information on why/how community organizations and others can participate in inclusive emergency planning processes to improve resiliency.

Leading and Developing Volunteers "Get Used to Different!"

Self-Paced

Learn how to lead and develop your volunteers in this online course from Indiana VWS.

Propane Learning Center

Self-Paced Online

The Propane Education & Research Council offers a variety of training courses to improve your knowledge of propane sales, marketing, and safety.

WUI Chief’s Guide – Online Course

Self-Paced Online

Provides guidance to help you and your community prepare, mitigate, respond, evacuate, and recover from wildland fire events

A Practical Approach to Diversity and Inclusion in the Volunteer Fire Service

Self-Paced

Learn how to build a diverse and inclusive department that accurately reflects your community

Volunteer Administrative Leadership Series (VALS)

Self-Paced

VALS, the Volunteer Administrative Leadership Series, helps departments develop skills and knowledge in documentation, finance, recruiting and retaining members.

Mentoring I: Re-energizing Your Department Culture through Positive Influence

Self-Paced

Information and resources for establishing or enhancing a mentoring program for improved retention.

Mentoring II: Developing and Retaining Firefighters Through Relationships

Self-Paced

Information and resources for developing mentoring skills

Rural Response to Rail Incidents

Self-Paced Online

This training is designed to help you better understand the rail industry, response efforts and agency-specific roles should a train derailment or similar incident occur in your area.

Overcoming Cultural Barriers for a More Inclusive Volunteer Workforce

Self-Paced

Strategies for engaging, recruiting and retaining volunteers from diverse backgrounds and communities

Chief 101

Self-Paced Online

Interactive training for chief-level officers to effectively execute roles and responsibilities of volunteer department leadership positions.

Barriers to Volunteering: How a Traditional Approach is Limiting Your Department

Self-Paced

Learn ways to recruit new members from untapped pockets of your community.

Fire Adapted Communities for the Fire Service

Self-Paced Online

This course introduces the key components of working with your community to adapt to the wildland fire threat.

Bridging the Multigenerational Divide in Your Department

Self-Paced Online

Learn to recognize generational biases, identify how biases impact interpersonal communications, and ultimately be a good agent for change.

Hydrogen Response Considerations

Self-Paced Online

This 2-hour, 4-module online course focuses on basic education on hydrogen fuels.