The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is marking the 45th anniversary since being founded. When it first convened as an organisation on March 15, 1976, representatives from 18 state associations gathered to lay the framework for the association that serves as the voice of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services.

This historic meeting was the culmination of months of groundwork and discussions as to the need for an organisation to represent volunteers in matters of national interest, to Congress and federal agencies, and in working with other national fire service organisations. The result was the birth of the National Volunteer Fire Council. Minutes captured from that first meeting in 1976 aptly noted that “a giant awakened.” The NVFC has been serving the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue communities ever since.

“We are proud to be the organisation that serves the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services as these men and women are the backbone of our communities,” said NVFC chair Steve Hirsch. “While we have significantly grown and expanded since 1976, we remain true to our mission to provide a unified voice for volunteer fire/EMS organisations. These are neighbors helping neighbors, and the NVFC is here to support volunteers in every way we can.”

The NVFC currently consists of 47 state fire associations, approximately 25,000 individual members, and over 50 corporate members. The organisation implements unique and award-winning programs such as the Make Me A Firefighter recruitment and retention campaign, Share the Load behavioral health support program, National Junior Firefighter Program, Fire Corps, Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, and the Wildland Fire Assessment Program. In addition, the NVFC provides training, resources, and advocacy to help the volunteer emergency services thrive.