601: Building Construction, Tactics and Fireground Operations for Company and Command Officers: Residential to Commercial to the Main Street Sponsor: NSVFA / Nebr. State Fire School Instructor: Chief Christopher Naum, SFPE Continuing the Established Tradition at Fire School and this highly successful feature from our annual fire school programs the class highlight consisting of an expanded four-hour walking tour of buildings in downtown Grand Island learning first-hand about construction features on Main Street and again for 2026 a look at varied Residential occupancies, some commercial and how to read a building and tactical considerations. With a focus on building construction, reading the building, first-due company and command size-up, tactical options, command decision-making and risk and command and operations in the first evolving 15-30 minutes of an incident incorporating the FACTS OPS Model for First-Arriving Construction, Tactics and Safety. Addressing fireground issues for The Single-Family Residential Fire and the challenges of Main Street Fire operations in single occupancies or larger block fires and small stand-alone commercial structures. This highly interactive program identifies integral functions impacting First-Due tactical decision-making and firefighting. This class is geared towards Company and Command Officers; however, ALL ranks and experience levels will benefit from this program. Look for some very special program elements in 2026. Student Course Limit: 60 Students (2 per department) PPE is NOT Required.

604: Structure Protection During Wildland Urban Interface Fires Sponsor: Nebraska Forest Service Instructor: Justin Nickless, Fire Management Specialist Fires In the rural/ Urban interface can quickly become a major incident despite the number of acres burning, demanding a shift in wildland fire suppression tactics. As people continue to build homes in the rural areas, these fires-along with structural threats and losses- are becoming more common across Nebraska, particularly in increasingly populated areas of eastern Nebraska. This interactive course will utilize several actual fires as case studies to discuss incident command, firefighter safety, pre-incident planning, size-up and initial strategy, Structure triage, structure protection and tactical operations in the interface. Local Firefighters who took initial action during these events will also be on hand. Student Course limit: 30 (3 per department) PPE is NOT Required.

605: Wildfire Leadership Sponsor: Nebraska Forest Service Instructor: Eric Moul, Nebraska Forest Service Leaders within the fire service are faced with making some of the most difficult decisions on the fire grounds. If you are someone acting in that leadership role or have recently transitioned from follower to leader, this class is designated as a self-assessment opportunity for you to consider. This class consists of classroom instruction, tactical simulations, and team cohesion techniques. This class will be mostly hands on training and not 'Death by PowerPoint'. Topics will include leadership values & principals, transitioning challenges for new leaders, operational leadership, communications, and tactical decision making. Student Course Limit: 20 (3 per department) PPE is NOT Required.

606: Farm Emergencies and Extrication Practices Instructors: Whitney Rubendall and Dale Vanek Students will become familiar with different types of agriculture related accidents and how the various incidents should be handled. Course content will include: • Rescue equipment • Rescue procedures • Care of victim(s) • Safety will be discussed and practiced. Student Course Limit: 40 (3 per department) Full PPE Saturday Only, No SCBA.

607: Introduction to Firefighting Sponsor/Instructors: State Fire Marshal Training Division Level of Instruction: Basic Age: Students must be 18 yrs of age to attend courses taught by the Training Division of the SFM. This class will involve knowledge and skills training for the student on a variety of topics for the entry level / beginning FF / responder. This class is NOT for those who have acquired firefighting skills through years of experience or lengthy history of response. Students will be divided into groups for participation in each session (These groups will vary in composition of individuals in regard to departments, gender, age, etc. You will be required to exhibit a cooperative “mindset” with people that you don’t know and must be open to their experience and input). Topics include: Fire Theory / Anatomy / Behavior / Chemistry – 3 hours SCBA (importance of and proper use of for your personal safety and that of your crew – 3 hours Fire Streams / and nozzle operations on a variety of simulated incidents – 1.5 hours Live Fire – 1.5 hours Ladders (components, types, use of, placement, rescue evolutions using) – 1.5 hours Hoses & Loads (types of, care and maintenance of, use and storage evolutions) – 1.5 hours Student Course Limit: 240 (4 per department) PPE Requirements: Full PPE and SCBA apply for all three days. (Facial hair exceeding more than 24 hours of growth that may at the discretion of the lead instructor and/or safety officer for the course will not be allowed. The use of “beard bands” or other methods to lessen the potential of the need to shave and provide a clean / clear area of contact between the SCBA facepiece and human skin contact will not be acceptable. The policy of the SFMTD is that individuals using SCBA’s will be clean shaven and will not be allowed to participate in hands on evolutions that compromise the safety provided by the direct seal of the SCBA manufacturer’s facepiece and their person when worn properly as determined by nationally accepted recommendations and accepted practices. ) ALL SCBA CYLINDERS BROUGHT TO THE NEBRASKA STATE FIRE SCHOOL FOR USE IN FIRE SCHOOL CLASSES SHALL HAVE A CURRENT HYDRO-TEST DATE. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

608: Advanced SCBA Sponsor/Instructors: State Fire Marshal Training Division Level of Instruction: Intermediate/Advanced Age: Students must be 18 yrs of age to attend courses taught by the Training Division of the SFM. Students will be taught the latest techniques for self-rescue and fire fighter survival, air supply monitoring and preservation, team accountability and communications, large and small area search and rescue techniques for both civilian and firefighters and sharing of air supplies through RIT connections and other methods. Classroom activities will teach the students air concerns, inspection, maintenance and proper use of SCBA. Computerized equipment will be available to test all students SCBA face piece for proper seal and regulator flow testing will be demonstrated. Students will be exposed to their own reactions of both the mental and physical effects of SCBA use upon the firefighter and taught how to deal with each in real time evolutions. A newly designed situation solution and confidence development training module created by Kearney Fire Department will be available for use by all students to experience different fire scene problems and their solutions in simulated fire rescue situations. Student equipment that does not meet required testing period dates will not be utilized. Students should be physically fit, clean shaven and able to perform strenuous tasks in full gear. Student Course Limit: 40 (3 per department) PPE Requirements: Full PPE and SCBA apply for all three day ALL SCBA CYLINDERS BROUGHT TO THE NEBRASKA STATE FIRE SCHOOL FOR USE IN FIRE SCHOOL CLASSES SHALL HAVE A CURRENT HYDRO-TEST DATE. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

609: Basic Vehicle Extrication Sponsor/Instructors: State Fire Marshal Training Division Level of Instruction: Basic Age: Students must be 18 yrs of age to attend courses taught by the Training Division of the SFM. This class provides emergency response with an understanding of the current challenges, techniques, skills & equipment used for the safe, effective extrication of patients from today’s vehicles. The tools, equipment and techniques presented in this class are considered state-of-the-art practices used today but should not be looked at as the only practices for extrication. Skills will be developed for scene safety, incident command and safe and timely rescue. Topics will include scene size up, vehicle size up, vehicle safety systems, vehicle stabilization, electrical shut down, hybrid vehicle safety concerns and other. Addressed will be: Sections 6.4.1 & 6.4.2 of NFPA 1001 2008 Edition, Chapters 4, 5 & 10 of NFPA 1006 2008 Edition and Chapters 4,8 & 12 of NFPA 1670. Student Course Limit: 35 (3 per department) PPE Requirements: Full PPE required on all three days. Participants will need to provide personal safety eye protection.

610: Confined Space Rescue Sponsor/Instructors: State Fire Marshal Training Division Level of Instruction: Advanced Age: Students must be 18 yrs of age to attend courses taught by the Training Division of the SFM. Prerequisites: Basic Rope Rescue and Hazmat – Awareness /Operations level This course provides the student with an overview of the requirements found in: CFR 1910.146(k) and NFPA 1006. Students will understand federal regulations related to confined space rescue. Students will identify what a confined space is and be instructed in the proper procedures to utilize during a confined space rescue operation. Course Objectives: Identify what a confined space is, permitting requirements and the hazards of a confined space Understand the Federal Regulations that govern confined space entry Establish safety zones for by-standers and rescue workers Demonstrate the ability to complete lock-out/tag-out energy isolation systems Identify the roles and responsibilities of entry attendants and entrants Identify the need for air monitoring and the use of monitoring devices Set up and use of patient retrieval systems Victim stabilization and removal methods/systems Demonstrate skill proficiency through teamwork and scenarios Classroom Course Hours: 3 Hands-on 9 hours Student Course Limit: 30 (3 per department) PPE Requirement: Structural firefighter PPE, Wild-land gear or Extrication gear and SCBA ALL SCBA CYLINDERS BROUGHT TO THE NEBRASKA STATE FIRE SCHOOL FOR USE IN FIRE SCHOOL CLASSES SHALL HAVE A CURRENT HYDRO-TEST DATE. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

611: Advanced Rope Rescue Techniques Sponsor/Instructors: State Fire Marshal Training Division Level of Instruction: Advanced Age: Students must be 18 yrs of age to attend courses taught by the Training Division of the SFM. Advanced rope rescue builds on the skills and concepts taught and mastered in the basic rope rescue class. In this course more technical skills will be presented that will prepare the rescuer with the ability to perform in a variety of high angle/high risk environments while working as a member of a team. Upon completion of basic rope rescue, this course can be taken. Advance rope rescue deals with the team concept of rescue, as well as different types of rescue such as Hi-Rise, Canyon Work, and others. Classroom discussion is minimal with emphasis being placed on hands-on learning to advance skills rapidly. Student Course Limit: 30 (3 per department) PPE Requirements: Lace-up type footwear, clean well-fitting leather gloves (no dirty gloves) or rope gloves, and a helmet with a chinstrap. Full length pants and appropriate shirt should be worn. You may bring equipment (harness, helmet, etc.) from your department and we will determine if you can use it in class. Determination of instructors is final. All other equipment used in class will be provided by the SFMTD.

612: Fireground Operations ponsor/Instructors: State Fire Marshal Training Division Level of Instruction: Advanced Age: Students must be 18 yrs of age to attend courses taught by the Training Division of the SFM. Prerequisites – 3 years of experience or firefighter 1 certification. The Fire Ground Operations course is based on the first minutes on the fire ground using the basic skills of ladders, force entry, connecting to a hydrant, deploying lines deep into a structure, using a supply line deep into a structure to facilitate attack lines, search and rescue. The course is not a basic fire fighter 1, we will incorporate real life scenarios where manpower is limited but tasks still need to be completed. This is a sweat equity class; we will meet in the classroom for roughly 30 minutes and the rest of the time will be on the training grounds. There will NOT be live fire during the evolutions. Student Course Limit: 25 (3 per department) PPE Requirements: Full PPE apply for all three days turn out gear & SCBA, clean shaven to obtain a facepiece seal. ALL SCBA CYLINDERS BROUGHT TO THE NEBRASKA STATE FIRE SCHOOL FOR USE IN FIRE SCHOOL CLASSES SHALL HAVE A CURRENT HYDRO-TEST DATE. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

613: Forcible Entry Techniques Sponsor/Instructors: State Fire Marshal Training Division Level of Instruction: Basic/Intermediate Age: Students must be 18 yrs of age to attend courses taught by the Training Division of the SFM. Participants will develop skills necessary to make entry into locked structures for the purpose of fire suppression, rescue, EMS assistance, etc. with minimal damage to the structure’s design by reviewing forcible entry skills and building construction. Several types of locks will be worked on and disassembled and entries made with provided forcible entry tools. Student Course Limit: 40 (3 per department) PPE Requirements: Helmet, Eye Protection, Gloves, Bunker Coat and Pants, Structure FF Boots – will need for all three (3) days of class.

614: Rural Water Supply Sponsor/Instructors: State Fire Marshal Training Division Level of Instruction: Basic Age: Students must be 18 yrs of age to attend courses taught by the Training Division of the SFM. In this course, students will develop an understanding of providing water in a rural environment. Course content includes setting up a water shuttle, draft and dump site requirements, water flow requirements to maintained an adequate water supply for rural fireground operations. This course will include classroom and hands-on skill exercise which will allow students to take classroom knowledge and apply it during water shuttle operations. Student Course Limit: 30 (3 per department) PPE Requirements: Full PPE for both Saturday and Sunday classes, students will be actively working on and around fire apparatus.

615: Nebraska Fire Happenings Sponsor: Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency Coordinator: Fredrick A. Reichert This class will provide students with an opportunity to hear information about recent events, trends, and current issues in the fire service related to Nebraska. Subject matter will cover both current and historic incidents that have and continue to play a role in our fire service. Various instructors will participate in this class that is always interesting and dynamic. This class will include a look back at the actual fire and emergency events that occurred in various locations around Nebraska and is presented by those individuals and agencies that were involved. This allows students to hear the lessons learned from other first responders. Several sessions will also provide students with awareness of outside resources available to fire departments. Student Course Limit: 50 PPE is NOT Required. This is a classroom setting only.

616: Fire Investigations Sponsor: Nebraska State Fire Marshal Investigations Coordinator: Adam Matzner, Chief of Investigations This course will examine the fundamentals of basic fire investigation for responding firefighters and fire officers. Participants will discuss the information and observances that need to be collected to establish the basis for a thorough fire investigation and documentation for a (NERIS) fire incident report. Basic terminology and burn pattern analysis will be provided and reinforced through practical post fire scene exercises. Student Course Limit: 50 PPE Requirements: (Saturday Only) Personal Protective Equipment, i.e. hard hat or fire helmet, work or bunker boots, older clothes, eye protection, and gloves are highly recommended for practical exercise. SCBA will not be needed.

617: CSI- Nebraska

618: Resources for the New Fire Chief and New Chief Officers Instructor: Shane Cuttlers, Captain, Lincoln Fire & Rescue Stepping into the role of Chief or Chief Officer brings significant responsibility—both to your department and to the communities you serve. This course provides new and aspiring leaders with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to manage a fire or emergency services department in the State of Nebraska effectively and efficiently. Participants will learn where to find essential state-level resources, which Nebraska laws and regulations apply, and how to build short- and long-term plans that support operational readiness and organizational growth. Through practical instruction, real-world examples, and guided discussion, students will leave with a clearer understanding of how to lead their departments with confidence. Key Topics Include: 1. Rural Boards Election & Responsibilities 2. Emergency Funding for Haz Mat & Wildland Fires 3. House Burn Permits & Requirements 4. NERIS/NeFIRS 5. Nebraska Forest Service Materials and Grants 6. Training Opportunities & What is Required 7. State and National Resources 9. Critical Stress Management & Debriefing 10. Other items important to your Department Student Course Limit: 50 PPE Requirements: Apply for all 3 days of class. NO PPE NEEDED

619: Grain Engulfment Training Instructor: Patrick Sheehan, Sheehan’s Outdoor Service This course provides the knowledge and skills required to perform a Grain Engulfment Rescue - the skills and knowledge required to rescue a victim engulfed in grain. This course requires a basic knowledge of Confined Space Rescue techniques as well as knowledge of lockout/tagout procedures as prescribed by OSHA and other regulations. Removal/rescue from grain bins and hoppers, grain bin cutting procedures, entrapment prevention and hazards of working in and around grain storage facilities are also addressed in this course. Removal of victims from locations requiring high-angle rescues is not covered in this course due to the advanced nature of this training. Training for this course includes the use of the CVA Grain Engulfment custom built Rescue Trailer that contains grain hoppers and an auger system. A remote metal (grain bin) cutting station that allows for replication (to the extent possible) the 'real world' environment in which grain rescues occur. This trailer provides the realistic challenges of performing these rescues in a safe environment. This class is a twelve-hour class. The class will provide three hours of classroom instruction on Friday which must be attended to participate in hands-on portion on Saturday and on Sunday the medical side of engulfment will be discussed. Hands-on portion will begin Saturday morning. Student Course Limit: 30 (3 per department) PPE Requirements: Hard toed work boots, work gloves, hard hat, eye protection (shields, safety glasses or goggles) and hearing protection.

621: Incident Leadership & Decision Making Instructor: Todd Manns, The Blue Cell, LLC This workshop combines the attributes of tactical decision making with managerial decision making for Leaders of all kinds and types. In addition to traits of leadership the course explores the concepts of using a decision making model in high stress environments. Through a series of activities participants are exposed to the concepts of the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) and will learn how to adapt its usage to the all hazard incident management and emergency management environments. The workshop further incorporates concepts of the Incident Command System and NIMS into the model and process. A working model ( diorama) of a fictional town is used for the final exercise portion of the workshop along with matchbox vehicles for scenario play where leadership skills can be tested. Student Course Limit: 25 (3 per department) PPE is NOT Required.

622: Live Flashover Training & Mobile Live Burn Simulator Instructors: Customized FF Training, Iowa, Jim Carpenter, Primary Instructor If you want to get HOT “Hands on training,” this class is for you! You will spend time in the classroom discussing vital lifesaving topics such as Modern Fire Dynamics from the latest NIST and UL studies, Transitional Attack, and S.L.I.C.E.R.S. Instructors will utilize the most current research to assist in developing basic fire attack skills. Participants will then witness this training in action by entering Customized Firefighter Trainings live fire trailers. One trailer is a fire attack simulator. It simulates a small house fire with propane burners and the use of class A materials. The other trailer is for flashover. This trailer lets the firefighter witness the awesome life cycle of an unfriendly fire from ignition to flashover. Learn to recognize the conditions leading to Flashover—how it happens, how to recognize the rapidly developing fire, dense smoke, high heat, and rollover which are all present in the unit. Learn to use defensive techniques. Who would send a firefighter to face a situation in the real world that he has not seen in training? Student Course Limit: 60 (2 Students per Dept.) PPE Requirements Apply. Students must be competent in hand line and nozzle operation and SCBA usage and should make every attempt to bring their own SCBA and a spare bottle, if possible.

623: Union Pacific RR Preparing and Responding to HazMat Incidents nstructor: Jesse Duplechin & Chip Heard - Union Pacific Friday: Classroom – Presentation of What is a UPRR HazMat Manager and Railroad 101 Emergency Response with Q&A Saturday: UPRR Training Cars at Grand Island UPRR Yard. Objectives: Locomotive Overview Tank Car Construction Damage Assessment Valves and fittings overview Leak mitigation/control measures Consist Overview Sunday: Classroom – Presentation of First Arriving Officer and Derailment Case Studies. Student Course Limit: 100 PPE Requirements: Friday/Sunday N/A (Classroom). Saturday – Closed toe safety shoes, Gloves, Safety Glasses.

624: Every Vehicle (EV) Fire Training – Best Practices in the EV Era Instructor: Dan Miller, Training Under Fire Prerequisites: Firefighter-I certification or equivalent training and experience. Others will be allowed as interested observers but are expected to self-identify as non-firefighting participants The unique hazards of electric vehicles require firefighters to exercise effective and safe tactics when approaching ALL modern vehicle incidents. Electric vehicles (EV) adoption and development are growing in every market segment, including passenger vehicles and light trucks, heavy trucks and fleet vehicles, RVs, mass transportation, material handling equipment, heavy equipment, and farm equipment. Members expected to supervise and execute coordinated, effective, and safe modern vehicle fire attack should attend this hands-on course. Includes EV hazard awareness, strategic and tactical considerations, situation-specific fire/explosion hazards, systematic hazard elimination, planning for response, suggested operating guidelines, post-fire handling, and includes hands-on coordinated tactical skills training. Learners in this course will demonstrate recognition of electric vehicle hazards and high-risk situations, technology and coordinated vehicle fire attack tactics and equipment to reduce risk while improving effectiveness and safety. Course Limit: 30 (3 per department) Structural PPE and SCBA required for Saturday.

625: The ISO Grading Schedule – A Guide to Improving Your Community’s Fire Protection Class. Instructor: Darin Clark and Mechelle Olivier Have you recently completed an ISO evaluation or have one coming up? This course provides an in-depth overview of the ISO / Verisk Public Protection Classification (PPC) program, which evaluates a community’s ability to respond to structure fires. Participants will review the three key components of the PPC survey—fire department, water system, and 9-1-1 communications—along with survey preparation, required documentation, and the role of alternate water supplies. This course is ideal for departments looking to better understand the ISO process, prepare for an evaluation, or improve their community’s PPC score. Course Limit: 20 (3 per department) PPE is NOT Required.

626: Machinery and You (Man Vs. Machine) nstructor: Heavy R Training - Seth Lunbery Machinery accidents happen every day across the country. Do you know what the best tools and practices are for preparing yourself to answer this call when it happens for your area. In this class, students will go over different equipment and techniques to successfully over comes one of these challenging responses. Students will get hands on time removing rings, cutting metal, and different scenarios to learn different ways to think outside of the box on how to successfully navigate through one of these difficult situations ranging from limb entrapments, crushing injuries to impalements. Learn various equipment and techniques to address challenges posed by machinery accidents. Course Limit: 24 (3 per department) PPE Requirements: Full PPE is required for Saturday and Sunday, Full turnout or extrication PPE with boots, helmets, extrication or leather gloves and protective eyewear. Hearing protection is optional but recommended.

627: Grand Island Fire Search Academy: LIVE FIRE Instructor: Logan Watts Support Instructors: Grand Island Professional Firefighters L647 Cadre Every job on the fireground supports one mission: the primary search. Whether we want to admit it or not, search is the reason your village, town, city, or metro area funds a fire department—volunteer or career. Without a coordinated and aggressive search, a civilian’s only chance of surviving a fire depends entirely on their ability to navigate a toxic, rapidly deteriorating environment in a matter of seconds. Over this three-day academy, you will become a more effective and confident searcher and gain the tools needed to return to your department and elevate your department’s search operations. Various search techniques and proven best practice for victim removal s will be covered, all adaptable to your department’s policies, staffing levels, and operational realities. The academy concludes Sunday morning with Live Fire Behavior and Control, reinforcing the foundational truth that controlling the fire—and the conditions it creates—is the single factor that controls our operational timeline. This is not a “hand on the boot” search class. This is real-world strategy and tactics, supported by data, experience, and the expectation that there is always searchable space. Our job is to find or create it. Course Limit: 40 PPE Requirements: Full PPE with SCBA and extra cylinder (needs to have current hydrotest) ALL SCBA CYLINDERS BROUGHT TO THE NEBRASKA STATE FIRE SCHOOL FOR USE IN FIRE SCHOOL CLASSES SHALL HAVE A CURRENT HYDRO-TEST DATE. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

603: Fire Prevention: Building Stronger, Safer Nebraska Communities Sponsor: NSVFA Fire Prevention Team Class Moderator: Rhonda Cerny This comprehensive, hands-on course is designed for firefighters who want to strengthen their department’s fire prevention and public education efforts. As communities change and fire risks evolve, proactive education remains one of the most effective ways to reduce injuries, property loss, and preventable fires. This class will prepare firefighters of all experience levels to confidently deliver meaningful, engaging, and accurate fire and life safety programs across Nebraska. Participants will explore the essential components of a successful fire prevention program, including: Community Risk Reduction(CRR)- identifying local hazards and tailoring messages to community needs. Age-appropriate education techniques for preschoolers, youth, teens, adults, and senior populations. Effective messaging tools using resources, materials, props, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Planning and presenting programs through community outreach events. Engaging high-risk and underserved groups, including rural residents, aging populations, and vulnerable individuals. Seasonal and holiday safety messaging relevant to Nebraska’s climate and traditions. Through interactive discussion, real-world examples, and practical demonstration opportunities, attendees will build the skill and confidence needed to represent their department as an effective public educator. Whether you are new to fire prevention or looking to expand your outreach abilities, this course will equip you with the tools to make a lasting difference in your community. Join us at the 2026 Nebraska State Fire School to help shape a safer Nebraska, one program at a time. Student Course Limit: 30 PPE is NOT Required.

620: EMS (Segmented Class) Coordinator: Clint Rasmussen, EMS Committee We are proud to provide an EMS education class utilizing experts found throughout the State of Nebraska. The classes will range from different topics to meet your state credit hours and include EMS updates and how the updates can potentially impact our services. Other topics covered will be trauma, pediatrics and cardiovascular. This purpose of this class is to reach out to EMR/EMT's. We hope you can join us to keep up EMS strong in Nebraska. Student Course Limit: 50 PPE is NOT Required.

628: Culture in the Firehouse; are we fostering a welcoming environment? / Keeping the Doors Open: Today’s Top Challenges in the Volunteer Fire Service / Leadership and Challenges for the Fire and Emergency Services Instructor: Doug deBest Class # 1: Culture in the Firehouse; are we fostering a welcoming environment? This presentation explores the culture of the firehouse and how it impacts department success. Through guided discussion, participants will share best practices and ideas related to recruitment, retention, inclusivity, and member appreciation, learning from one another to strengthen culture within their own departments. Class # 2: Keeping the Doors Open: Today’s Top Challenges in the Volunteer Fire Service This training is based on a survey of 25 volunteer fire chiefs in southwest Michigan that identified the most pressing challenges facing volunteer fire departments. The course helps fire officers understand and address key issues such as recruitment and retention, budgeting, training participation and compliance, emergency response reliability, political support, and succession planning. Through practical discussion and real-world examples, participants gain actionable strategies to strengthen department readiness, leadership continuity, and long-term organizational sustainability. Class # 3: “Leadership and Challenges for the Fire and Emergency Services” This class provides an overview of leadership in fire and emergency services, focusing on practical principles and strategies for leading effectively under pressure. Participants gain tools to improve decision-making, team management, and crisis leadership while fostering adaptability and continuous learning to strengthen their leadership skills and performance. Sunday morning will cover more of a Roundtable discussion with the Students on what they are experiencing and any questions / challenges that they are currently experiences at their department. Course Limit: 100 PPE is NOT Required.

602: Update on Legal Issues for Nebraska Firefighters Sponsor: NSVFA Instructor: Scott Smith, NSVFA Legal Counsel Ryan McIntosh, NSVFA Lobbyist SATURDAY ONLY - 1:00 - 3:00 pm This will be an annual update on legal issues relating to Nebraska firefighters, fire departments, and taxing authorities (RFPD, SFPD, and municipalities). Major issues will include compliance with department trust accounts, Open Meetings Act, and board governance. Student Course Limit: 50 PPE is NOT Required.