Piedmont N.C. Firefighter's Association

FREE TRAINING

The Power of Hope: Strengthening Resilience and Wellbeing in First Responders

First responders face unique and repeated stressors which wear down the systems for resilient thinking. This course explores the role of hope in first responder resilience. The course examines Dr. Richard Snyder's Hope Theory and how it can be used to enhance resilience, wellbeing, and purpose for first responders - both personally and within your department. Topics include hope as it applies to moral injury, trauma, and agency, and the role of leadership, mentors, and peer support in cultivating hope in their responders.

Saluda Co Emergency
Operations Center 175 Public Safety Dr
Saluda, SC 29138

July 2, 2026
0900-1200 ET

Register here: https://nvfc.wufoo.com/forms/p1dojr6g1lxf4nr/

Contact Information:
Course host - Chief Mark Lybrand , m.lybrand@saludacounty .sc.gov
NVFC Training Coordinator - Amanda Tegtmeyer, [email protected]

Application Period Now Open for the 2026 NVFC Scholarship to Columbia Southern University

For the 18th year, Columbia Southern University (CSU) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer responders achieve their educational goals through the annual CSU scholarship program. Two NVFC members will receive scholarships to CSU covering up to 60 credit hours towards any one online degree program.

To be eligible, applicants must be an active volunteer responder and a member of the NVFC (join at www.nvfc.org/join). The scholarship will be applied directly to tuition and is valid for up to three years or until degree completion, whichever comes first.

The scholarship application period is open from May 15 through August 17. Winners will be announced in October 2026.

Learn more about this scholarship opportunity and apply on the CSU web site. For questions, please email the scholarship liaison at [email protected] or call 888-785-3006.

Free Incident Safety Officer (ISO) Training from National Volunteer Fire Council

June 16 @ 1800

Tri-County Community College, Murphy, NC

Scan the QR Code to Register.

Contact Information:
Local Host - Henry Angelopulos, [email protected]
NVFC Training Coordinator - Amanda Tegtmeyer, [email protected]

We are excited to announce our next Piedmont NC Firefighters' Association meeting will be held in Caswell County hosted by the Pelham Volunteer Fire Department. This will be our first meeting in Caswell County.

Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 until further notice.

Under North Carolina law, the ban prohibits all open burning in the affected counties, regardless of whether a permit was previously issued. The issuance of any new permits has also been suspended until the ban is lifted. Anyone violating the burn ban faces a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Any person responsible for setting a fire may be liable for any expenses related to extinguishing the fire.

The burn ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. The local fire marshal has authority to issue a burn ban within those 100 feet.

Read news release: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/03/28/statewide-burn-ban-issued-north-carolina-due-hazardous-forest-fire-conditions

South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo is pleased to announce that Steve Chikerotis, retired Deputy District Chief with the Chicago Fire Department and consulting producer and actor on Chicago Fire, will deliver the keynote address at the SAFRE Opening Ceremony on Thursday, August 13.

Chief Chikerotis will tackle the real challenges facing today’s Fire Service — from leadership development and critical incident decision-making to surviving PTSD* and building strong mentor relationships.



*If you or someone you know in the fire service is dealing with PTSD, NCSFA may be able to help. Visit www.ncsfa.com for more information on a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Counseling Reimbursement Program.