Education

Education Sessions

The VCOS offers a variety of online and in-person conferences and training opportunities in support of the volunteer and combination fire and emergency service.

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Beyond Hoses & Helmets

Strategy and tactics of leading a volunteer or combination fire/rescue organization, designed by practicing chief officers that delivers real world expertise through interactive education.

VCOS logo - IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section 

FROG: Organizational Guidance for Volunteer Leaders

This course is an intensive 2.5 day, hands-on workshop designed as graduate-level leadership training for leaders of volunteer and combination fire departments that picks up where VCOS's Beyond Hoses & Helmets course leaves off.

VCOS logo - IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section 

Leading the Transition in Volunteer & Combination Departments

This course is to assist departments that are changing status, whether going from an all-volunteer to a combination department, from a combination to a volunteer department, or changing from a career department to a combination department. This course can be administered as a three-hour course with one instructor or a six-hour course with two instructors.

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Member and Leadership Collaboration (MLC)

Two-day, facilitated workshop leverages behavioral analysis to address organizational conflict and create effective department communication between firefighters, officers and chiefs.

VCOS logo - IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section 

You and ISO

This course is presented around the country several times a year. This class teaches what every fire chief should know and understand about ISO in your community.

VCOS logo - IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section

Instructing Mixed Generational Classrooms: How to Connect with All Ages

This course provides tools to evaluate your class demographics, analyze the information, and then design your instructional strategies.
   Register
International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference

International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference 2023

The training offered at the Hazmat Conference provides immediate, practical and valuable information designed to ensure you successfully meet the demands of hazmat response in today's challenging environment.
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Join us for an RRC Certification training class in DuBois, PA.
   Register
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Mental Fitness: The Key to Sustained Safety, Health, and Well-Being

FRM 2022 Content is Available OnDemand
   Register
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Developing Inclusive Teams Workshop

Attend a free DIT workshop in Oregon.
   Register
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"The Sprinkler System Has Activated" - What Does The Incident Commander Do?

Learn about strategies and operating tactics for buildings with activated sprinkler systems.
   Register
Vector Solutions

How to Meet NFPA 1851 Compliance with Comprehensive PPE Checks

Learn how you can leverage Vector Check It and its mobile app to set forth an effective PPE inspection program
   Register
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Attend our free RRC Coordinator Certification class in Breaux Bridge, LO.
   Register
VCOS logo - IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section

Behavior Modification Necessary to Reduce the Impact of Depression

This webinar will review stress and the management of stressful situations
   Register
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Developing the Leader Within You 2.0

This webinar is based on a book by John Maxwell and will cover how to develop yourself as a leader.
   Register
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Join us for a Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification class in Rifle, CO.
   Register
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Pyramid of Success

Learn about the Pyramid of Success, a framework of successful behaviors
   Register
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Join us for an RRC Certification Class in Centralia, WA.
   Register
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Developing Inclusive Teams Workshop

Join us for a Developing Inclusive Teams pre-con class at Fire Rescue International 2023 in Kansas City, MO.
   Register
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Fire-Rescue International
IAFC's 150th Anniversary

FRI, the IAFC's annual conference and expo, provides senior-level leadership training for chiefs and officer development education for chief and company officers, new ways to connect with vendors and colleagues, and the latest solutions to today's toughest challenges.
VCOS logo - IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section

Top 10 Things That Will Get You In Trouble If You Don’t Pay Attention

This webinar will discuss the mistakes leaders make in many cases that can be catastrophic for others and in many cases are avoidable
   Register
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Attend our free RRC Certification class in Nokesville, VA.
   Register
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Join us for a RRC certification training class in Stroudsburg, PA
   Register
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Join us for a RRC certification training course in Aztec, NM.
   Register
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Join us for an RRC certification training session in Friedens, PA.
   Register
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Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Certification Training

Attend our free RRC Certification class in Concord, NH.
   Register
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Developing Inclusive Teams Workshop

Gain knowledge and skills to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Travel reimbursement available.
   Register
Symposium in the Sun

Symposium in the Sun 2023

The Symposium in the Sun addresses the unique needs of volunteer and combination departments including transitioning from a volunteer to a combination department, recruitment and retention, leadership and management, staffing and more.
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Developing Inclusive Teams Workshop

Join us for a Developing Inclusive Teams class in Washington state.
   Register
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Technology Summit International

Technology Summit International aims to bring the tech of the future to today’s fire and emergency service professionals
  
Wildland Urban Interface Conference

Wildland-Urban Interface Conference 2024

Three essential tracks - Fire Adapted Communities, operations & suppression, and policy & tools - ensure you and your team get everything you need to minimize and manage threats in the WUI.
  
Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference 2024

The CRR Leadership Conference is all new. Sponsored by the IAFC's Fire and Life Safety Section, the CRR Leadership Conference tackles CRR from the leadership perspective, highlighting best practices from concept to implementation to outcomes. Presentations will highlight the latest and greatest in CRR research.
  
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Fire-Rescue International - 2024

FRI, the IAFC's annual conference and expo, provides senior-level leadership training for chiefs and officer development education for chief and company officers, new ways to connect with vendors and colleagues, and the latest solutions to today's toughest challenges.
Learn More   
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Fire-Rescue International - 2025

FRI, the IAFC's annual conference and expo, provides senior-level leadership training for chiefs and officer development education for chief and company officers, new ways to connect with vendors and colleagues, and the latest solutions to today's toughest challenges.
Learn More