IAFC - VCOS Section

IAFC - VCOS Section VCOS is the largest special interest section of the IAFC that provides education and resources to the leaders of volunteer and combination fire departments
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To represent the interests of all volunteer and combination fire/rescue/EMS agencies. We will be a dynamic organization, characterized by our integrity, customer focus and membership development, with value placed on people and the superior utilization of technology. We will excel by creating educational programs, through unrivaled networking, and by helping VCOS members further their success and reach their potential.

Mission: To provide chiefs and chief officers who manage volunteers within a volunteer or combination fire, rescue or EMS delivery system with information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism.

Operating as usual

01/01/2021

Wishing you a safe and happy new year!

Happy Holidays!
12/25/2020

Happy Holidays!

Congrats to VCOS member, Chief Pat Kenny, on the release of his new book: “Taking the Cape off: How to Leader Through Me...
12/09/2020
Patrick J. Kenny | Keynote Speaker - Mental Health Awareness

Congrats to VCOS member, Chief Pat Kenny, on the release of his new book: “Taking the Cape off: How to Leader Through Mental Illness, Unimaginable Grief and Loss.

“This book provides invaluable guidance for anyone who agrees no one should be left without hope. A must-read.” – John Doyle, MPhil, Chief Fire Officer, Cleveland Fire Brigade 1997-2010 Buy Now! A personal leadership guide Taking The Cape Off is for anyone struggling with Mental Health persona...

Don't forget to register today for the RSG! Program's chipping program webinar tomorrow!
12/09/2020

Don't forget to register today for the RSG! Program's chipping program webinar tomorrow!

The Chipping Program Best Practices Webinar is Thursday December 10th! Join us for information on promoting your program and engaging your community, funding opportunities, and more! Register today: https://bit.ly/3oh09ig

Don’t forget about tomorrow’s VCOS/National Volunteer Fire Council webinar “Surviving the Job: Leaderships Sets the Exam...
12/07/2020
Surviving the Job Webinar Series: Leadership Sets the Example for Cancer Prevention

Don’t forget about tomorrow’s VCOS/National Volunteer Fire Council webinar “Surviving the Job: Leaderships Sets the Example for Cancer Prevention.”

Join the VCOS and NVFC for a 6 part webinar series, where we will explore some of the most important information you need to know when it comes to firefighter cancer risk reduction. We will also discuss the importance of early detection and what to do when a firefighter has cancer.

Register today for our Surviving the Job Webinar Series: Leadership Sets the Example for Cancer Prevention with the Nati...
12/03/2020
Surviving the Job Webinar Series: Leadership Sets the Example for Cancer Prevention

Register today for our Surviving the Job Webinar Series: Leadership Sets the Example for Cancer Prevention with the National Volunteer Fire Council on December 8th at 2 PM ET.

Join the VCOS and NVFC for a 6 part webinar series, where we will explore some of the most important information you need to know when it comes to firefighter cancer risk reduction. We will also discuss the importance of early detection and what to do when a firefighter has cancer.

Check out the latest webinar from National VWS featuring Ali Rothrock.
11/27/2020
Ali Rothrock Diversity and Inclusion Scenario Webinar

Check out the latest webinar from National VWS featuring Ali Rothrock.

Join Ali Rothrock and National VWS for a webinar discussing diversity and inclusion scenarios. We will discuss some scenarios relating to diversity and inclusion issues that you may encounter in your department. We will also discuss tips and tools for handling these issues. 

We are thankful for YOU! Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
11/26/2020

We are thankful for YOU! Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Register today for the next installment of the Surviving the Job webinar series with the National Volunteer Fire Council...
11/24/2020
Surviving the Job Webinar Series: Leadership Sets the Example for Cancer Prevention

Register today for the next installment of the Surviving the Job webinar series with the National Volunteer Fire Council on December 8 at 2 PM ET. https://bit.ly/3l1kHZY

Join the VCOS and NVFC for a 6 part webinar series, where we will explore some of the most important information you need to know when it comes to firefighter cancer risk reduction. We will also discuss the importance of early detection and what to do when a firefighter has cancer.

Have you read the VCOS Fall Newsletter yet?
11/19/2020
Newsletters

Have you read the VCOS Fall Newsletter yet?

The Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) is accepting applications! This program provides new and aspiri...
11/17/2020
Fire Service Executive Development Institute

The Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) is accepting applications! This program provides new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have a successful and productive tenure. APPLY NOW:

The Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) is a program developed by the IAFC and funded by a grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation (MSF) to provide new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have a successful and productive tenure. Program goals and objectives.

Join National VWS and Ali Rothrock for an interactive diversity and inclusion webinar this Thursday at 4 PM ET. Register...
11/16/2020
Ali Rothrock Diversity and Inclusion Scenario Webinar

Join National VWS and Ali Rothrock for an interactive diversity and inclusion webinar this Thursday at 4 PM ET. Register Today!

Join Ali Rothrock and National VWS for a webinar discussing diversity and inclusion scenarios. We will discuss some scenarios relating to diversity and inclusion issues that you may encounter in your department. We will also discuss tips and tools for handling these issues. 

11/11/2020

Reminder: Friday, Nov. 13 is the last day to submit for FEMA AFG COVID Supplemental grants. https://bit.ly/2GQTBH0

11/10/2020

Virtual Symposium in the Sun will be January 12-14, 2021. Mark your calendars!

The 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Awards are open for applications! This award is the highest national honor one can receive ...
11/03/2020
Wildfire Mitigation Awards

The 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Awards are open for applications! This award is the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation. Nominate today!

The Wildfire Mitigation Awards are the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work

Did you miss some of IAFC’s #ReIGNITE conference last week? You can watch the live stream and on-demand sessions for the...
10/28/2020
ReIGNITE Virtual Conference

Did you miss some of IAFC’s #ReIGNITE conference last week? You can watch the live stream and on-demand sessions for the next 6 months!

Virtual WUI Is right around the corner! If you’re responsible for protecting local forests or educating landowners and r...
10/26/2020
Virtual WUI

Virtual WUI Is right around the corner! If you’re responsible for protecting local forests or educating landowners and residents about the importance of land management, this conference is for you. Register today!

Join National VWS and Ali Rothrock this Thursday October 15 at 4 PM ET for a webinar on the importance of diversity and ...
10/13/2020
Webinar: Inclusion and Diversity in the Fire Service: Why Does It Matter?

Join National VWS and Ali Rothrock this Thursday October 15 at 4 PM ET for a webinar on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the fire service.

Join Ali Rothrock and National Volunteer Workforce Solutions for a webinar discussing the importance of inclusion and diversity in the fire service.

10/12/2020

The October 13 VCOS/National Volunteer Fire Council Surviving the Job webinar has been postponed until December. We apologize for any inconvenience.

10/05/2020
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation presents "America's Tribute to Fallen Firefighters" honoring 82 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2019 and 21 firefighters who died in the line of duty in previous years.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation presents "America's Tribute to Fallen Firefighters" honoring 82 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2019 and 21 firefighters who died in the line of duty in previous years.

View the profiles of these fallen heroes by clicking on the link below: https://www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/2020-roll-honor/.

Music Credit: The Fallen and the Brave by Dave Carroll (commissioned by the NFFF).

10/02/2020

Interested in applying for the second round of AFG COVID-19 Supplemental Funding for Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments? Check out these resources: https://bit.ly/2Gs79rX

VCOS and National Volunteer Fire Council will host a webinar on Oct. 13 @ 2PM ET on “Leadership Sets the Example for Can...
09/25/2020
Surviving the Job Webinar Series: Leadership Sets the Example for Cancer Prevention

VCOS and National Volunteer Fire Council will host a webinar on Oct. 13 @ 2PM ET on “Leadership Sets the Example for Cancer Prevention.” Register today!

Join the VCOS and NVFC for a 6 part webinar series, where we will explore some of the most important information you need to know when it comes to firefighter cancer risk reduction. We will also discuss the importance of early detection and what to do when a firefighter has cancer.

IAFC Safety Health & Survival Section Free Virtual Training Day is Sept. 25. Register now!
09/21/2020
Safety, Health and Survival Virtual Training Day

IAFC Safety Health & Survival Section Free Virtual Training Day is Sept. 25. Register now!

The training is scheduled to run from 9 AM ET to 4:30 PM ET. Participants can join for the entire day or for only the topics they are most interested in.

New webinars announced for next round of FEMA AFG COVID Supplemental grants. Only volunteer/combo depts can apply – grea...
09/18/2020
Assistance to Firefighters Grant Programs Workshops | FEMA.gov

New webinars announced for next round of FEMA AFG COVID Supplemental grants. Only volunteer/combo depts can apply – great opportunity!

Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Address

4795 Meadow Wood Lane
Chantilly, VA
20151

General information

Our section is devoted on the representation and education of Volunteer and Combination Officers in the fire service.

Telephone

(703) 273-9735

Website

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Videos

Happy New Year
Happy New Year

Happy New Year! #BeSafe

Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas

Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, quiet and safe Christmas, especially for everyone working today. #BeSafe #MerryChristmas

Untitled design
Untitled design

Our offices close today at 12pm ET. We hope you have a happy and safe holiday and very merry new year. #BeSafe

IAFCtv Volunteer Combination Officers Section (VCOS)
IAFCtv Volunteer Combination Officers Section (VCOS)

At FRI 2019, Chief Charles Flynn and Chief Al Yancey, Jr., talked to IAFC TV about “You’re the New Chief; Now What?”, the variety of helpful educational sessions and offerings that are organized by VCOS, and how VCOS is marking its 25th anniversary. https://buff.ly/2ZWFOXJ

2019 IAFCtv Interview with VCOS
2019 IAFCtv Interview with VCOS

VCOS Chair Chief Chuck Flynn and VCOS Board Member Chief Al Yancey discuss VCOS's 25th Anniversary, VCOS initiatives on Cancer Prevention and Mental Wellness, as well as the new VCOS and EFO report: You're the Fire Chief; Now What? -- Guidance for New & Interim Chiefs.

Presentation on the latest VCOS and EFO report.

Top 10 Retention and Recruitment Tips the presentation in the Spark Zone at FRI.

Top 10 Retention and Recruitment Tips

Join the VCOS Today!
Join the VCOS Today!

We did a private premier of this video at Symposium in the #Sun2018. We are excited to launch it live for the world. It is a great highlight of our section. #WeAreVCOS

A Pro-Active Approach to Mental Wellness
A Pro-Active Approach to Mental Wellness

This week is suicide prevention week. Chief Flynn, VCOS Chair, shares the importance of the Yellow Ribbon Report and taking a pro-active approach to mental wellness. http://bit.ly/2tuItWi

Rest in Peace Chief James P. Seavey, Sr. He pushed the VCOS Board and section to work harder to help support volunteer and combination officers in their mission to serve each other and the public. There are no words that can fully capture his impact.

IAFC President's Award to Chief Wall
IAFC President's Award to Chief Wall

Congratulations to VCOS Chair, Chief Timothy S. Wall, for being awarded the IAFC President's Award of Recognition. #FRI2018

A Break at Symposium in the Sun 2017
A Break at Symposium in the Sun 2017

Break at Symposium in the #Sun2017

Congratulations!

Break at Symposium in the #Sun2017

Walking the exhibit hall at #Sun2017.

Welcome to Symposium in the Sun 2017
Welcome to Symposium in the Sun 2017

Vickie Pritchett welcomed everyone to Symposium in the #Sun2017.

We are broadcasting from Symposium in the #Sun2017.

Bullying is NOT OK
Bullying is NOT OK

Have you reminded your station that bullying is not ok recently? We challenge you to stand up and say that Bullying is Not OK. #WeServeAllIncludingEachOther #BetheChange end bullying today.

Bullying is NOT OK
Bullying is NOT OK

Bullying is NOT OK. #BetheChange end bullying today.

Chief Wall helping out Joey Logano's pit crew before the race!

From Chief John Buckman III Another unique opportunity at the Firefighter Safety and Research Institute in Northbrook, IL. About 40 firefighters, officers and Chiefs in attendance to observe and learn about today's science of fire behavior. It is never simple to acquire an answer to a very complex issue like fire suppression strategy and tactics BUT I will tell you for the most part it is as simple as control the air coming in and get water on the fire from whatever vantage point is IMMEDIATELY accessible. Delaying water application to absorb or reduce the BTU's put off by the visible fire is not smart in todays modern fire suppression environment. What these tests have demonstrated for me is that I need to keep studying building construction and read more about the latest research in fire suppression tactics. Every firefighter whether they have one year on the job or 20 need to keep their mind in the books and magazine articles written about the new way of completing fire suppression operations. This IS NOT saying that all fires will be fought from the outside. This is not to say that all fires will be attacked from a defensive position. This video depicts the attic well involved in fire. The occupant area of the structure has no visible change or if there were occupants they would not be aware their attic was on fire. The application of water is through the soffit. The water does penetrate very well into the attic space and has a significant effect on slowing the forward progress of the fire. Water was applied initially through the gable ends with no significant change in the conditions inside the attic. Access for water into the attic area through the soffit is not always an acceptable tactic as modern building construction in many cases is sealing this area off from the exterior. As with all of this research the application of the information is in the hands of the first due company officer and their reaction to "observe, orient, decide and then act". What

From Chief John Buckman III Another unique opportunity at the Firefighter Safety and Research Institute in Northbrook, IL. About 40 firefighters, officers and Chiefs in attendance to observe and learn about today's science of fire behavior. It is never simple to acquire an answer to a very complex issue like fire suppression strategy and tactics BUT I will tell you for the most part it is as simple as control the air coming in and get water on the fire from whatever vantage point is IMMEDIATELY accessible. Delaying water application to absorb or reduce the BTU's put off by the visible fire is not smart in todays modern fire suppression environment. What these tests have demonstrated for me is that I need to keep studying building construction and read more about the latest research in fire suppression tactics. Every firefighter whether they have one year on the job or 20 need to keep their mind in the books and magazine articles written about the new way of completing fire suppression operations. This IS NOT saying that all fires will be fought from the outside. This is not to say that all fires will be attacked from a defensive position. This video depicts the attic well involved in fire. The occupant area of the structure has no visible change or if there were occupants they would not be aware their attic was on fire. The application of water is through the soffit. The water does penetrate very well into the attic space and has a significant effect on slowing the forward progress of the fire. Water was applied initially through the gable ends with no significant change in the conditions inside the attic. Access for water into the attic area through the soffit is not always an acceptable tactic as modern building construction in many cases is sealing this area off from the exterior. As with all of this research the application of the information is in the hands of the first due company officer and their reaction to "observe, orient, decide and then act". What

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Comments

This is a little late and I apologize. I had the great honor to be both the MC and provide a presentation with Joseph De Wolf over this past weekend at the 2019 Symposium in the West. It was great to see so many great people who truly want to make a difference in our craft. Special thanks to VCOS Board, Sara, and the IAFC Staff for making this a great event.
Good Morning Chief Wall,sorry to hear of your standing down and congratulations of a job well done as President/Chair of VCOS,on behalf of all firefighters in IAFC and the Australian Rural Fire Services.