The Latest

9/11 Reflections: A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice

Quotes and reflections, shared by first responders, preserve the personal truths of that day, ensuring we never forget the sacrifices made and the lessons learned.

IAFC Announces First Cohort for 2025 Fire Camp Scholarship

IAFC is proud to announce the first cohort consisting of 12 departments will receive the newly relaunched Fire Camp Scholarship grant

New CRM Manual Empowers Firefighters to Prevent Injuries and Deaths Before They Happen

The 4th Edition of the Crew Resource Management (CRM) Manual released during Fire-Rescue International (FRI) 2025.

Education

WS Logo

Helping Members Find Their Spark Through Mentoring Pilot Class - Leesburg, VA

November 8, 2025 | Leesburg, VA
Join us for the pilot of our newly redeveloped Mentoring class in Leesburg, VA.
Symposium in the Sun

Symposium in the Sun 2025

November 13 - 16, 2025 | Clearwater, FL
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.
Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference 2026

May 19 - 21, 2026 | Glendale, AZ
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.
Learn More   

About VCOS

To develop and enhance effective, professional leaders of the volunteer and combination fire service by providing tools, resources and representation to lead their organizations effectively. Learn more

Featured Resources

National Volunteer Firefighter Geospatial Recruitment and Retention Toolkit

National Volunteer Firefighter Geospatial Recruitment and Retention Toolkit

Strengthen Volunteer Fire Departments Through Strategic Recruitment and Retention
US FireAdministration

US Fire Administrator's Summit on Fire Prevention and Control - 2022-2023 Workgroup Report

US Fire Administrator's Summit on Fire Prevention and Control - 2022-2023 Workgroup Report
US FireAdministration

U.S. Fire Administration 2023 Accomplishments

U.S. Fire Administration 2023 Accomplishments