Author: Julien Flesher

What a great turnout for the 2026 NSFA Annual General Membership Meeting, held this past Saturday, June 27th, at the Historic Golconda Schoolhouse and via Zoom! Thank you to everyone who joined us, whether in person or virtually, to support your fellow Nevada firefighters.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Guests

We were honored to welcome a wonderful group of guests and partners who took the time to update our membership on critical issues facing the fire service in Nevada:

Steve Hirsch — National Volunteer Fire Council

Jed Miner — Jed Miner and Associates Insurance Services Inc.

Ron Bollier — Nevada Division of Forestry, State Fire and Aviation Unit

Bobbie Sullivan — Nevada EMS Program

Kelly Baratti — Nevada Fire Chiefs Association

Adam Rowley — State Fire Marshal’s Training Division

We also took a moment to honor the memory of Bob Heath, who passed away in late May. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Congratulations, Golconda Fire Protection District — Fire Department of the Year!

A huge congratulations to Golconda Fire Protection District, named NSFA’s Fire Department of the Year! It’s only fitting that this year’s meeting was hosted right in Golconda — a true testament to this department’s dedication and service to their community. Thank you for everything you do, and congratulations on this well-earned recognition!

Congratulations to Our Scholarship Recipients

We’re proud to recognize this year’s scholarship winners for their dedication and achievement:

Dean Landreth (Carlin) — LN Curtis Scholarship

Haley Warren (Carlin) — Tiffany Urresti Lee Engine Company Scholarship

Bailey Prinz (Fallon) — NSFA Scholarship

Congratulations to all three! We’re excited to see what you accomplish in your future studies and careers.

Welcoming Jeff Prinz to the Board

We’re also thrilled to welcome Jeff Prinz as the newest member of the NSFA Board of Directors. Jeff’s involvement with the Fallon Churchill Fire Department and his enthusiasm for supporting Nevada’s firefighting community make him a great addition to our leadership team. Welcome aboard, Jeff!

The full board for the year ahead includes Steve McClintock (President), Victor Harrell (Vice President), Jacob Stark, Jeff Winrod, Ken Smith, and Jeff Prinz — all confirmed by acclamation. Mike Heideman was also reappointed as Executive Director, and we look forward to his continued leadership.

Looking Ahead

The meeting covered a lot of ground — from wildfire response updates and training opportunities to financial reports and legislative priorities — and we’ll be sharing more updates on those fronts in the weeks ahead. A special thanks as well to everyone who stuck around for the Flashpoint Mobile Live Fire Training over the weekend.

This organization is built on the strength of its members, partners, and volunteers. Thank you for showing up, stepping up, and continuing to protect those who protect Nevada.

The Nevada State Firefighters Association is pleased to announce that the 2026 Annual General Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026. This year, members have the flexibility to attend in person at the Golconda Schoolhouse in Golconda, NV or virtually via Zoom. Registration is now open — all eligible members are encouraged to sign up today.

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Attendance Options

🏛️ In Person Join fellow members at the Golconda Schoolhouse, Golconda, NV for a traditional in-person meeting experience.

💻 Virtual via Zoom Participate from anywhere using the Zoom app or web interface. Phone call-in is not permittedfor virtual attendees.

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Who Can Attend

To participate, you must be a FY2026 dues-paid member (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) or an invited guest, and you must register individually in advance. Guest attendance is subject to approval.

To serve as a delegate for your department, you must be a FY2026 dues-paid Regular or Life Member and be present during roll call at the start of the meeting.

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Important Notes

• Register individually in advance — no walk-ins will be permitted.
• Virtual attendees will receive a personalized Zoom link upon registration approval.
• The Zoom meeting room opens 5 minutes before the scheduled start time.
• The meeting will be locked after roll call — no late virtual entries will be allowed.
• If disconnected, virtual attendees will be placed in the waiting room for possible readmission.
• Disruptive behavior may result in permanent removal at the Board’s discretion.

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Zoom Etiquette (for virtual attendees)

• Join early to avoid technical delays
• Mute your mic when not speaking
• Use your real name as it appears on your NSFA membership
• Turn your camera on if comfortable — it assists with engagement and roll call
• Use the Raise Hand feature to be recognized before speaking
• Keep chat use respectful and on topic

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Whether you’re joining us in the hills of Golconda or from wherever your duties take you, your presence and participation are what make this association strong. Thank you for continuing to show up, step up, and support your fellow firefighters.

📋 Register here:

 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_Ji9AiRpQGWzYVLcnq3XAQ#/registration

We look forward to seeing you — in person or virtually — on June 27.

Nevada’s volunteer fire departments protect our communities with limited resources and tremendous dedication. Now there’s an opportunity to help them get the critical equipment they need — but the window is narrow, and local awareness makes all the difference.

State Farm® and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have launched the 2026 Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, distributing $1.5 million in grants to 150 volunteer fire departments across the United States. Each selected department receives $10,000 to purchase essential equipment that boosts firefighter safety and effectiveness.

WHY NEVADA DEPARTMENTS NEED TO ACT NOW

States with 10 or more eligible applications are guaranteed at least one grant recipient. Last year, Nevada only received two eligible applications — which means no Nevada department was in the guaranteed pool. Spreading the word in our communities this year could directly determine whether a local department receives this funding.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

To qualify, a fire department must:

• Be over 50% volunteer (paid-on-call counts as volunteer)
• Serve a population of 25,000 or less
• Have annual revenue under $250,000
• Be located in the U.S. and legally organized under state law
• Demonstrate a clear need and intended use of funds
• Not have been a previous grant recipient

HOW TO APPLY

The application period opens May 4 at noon ET and closes May 7 at noon ET. That’s a 72-hour window — so departments should start gathering their information now.

As a bonus, the first 2,000 eligible applicants will receive a complimentary one-year NVFC membership.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

The NVFC is hosting live Q&A Office Hours sessions throughout the application period. The first session is this Friday, April 24. Visit the link below to register and find future session dates.

Get full program details, eligibility guidance, FAQs, and the application at:
👉 www.nvfc.org/statefarm

Please share this with your networks, local departments, and anyone who supports Nevada’s first responders. Every application brings our state one step closer to securing a grant.

The NSFA Regional Training Symposium is just days away, and we want to make sure you have everything you need before heading to Ely.

LIVE FIRE ACCOUNTABILITY FORM — ACTION REQUIRED

If you are registered for the Live Fire Training session on Friday, April 17, you are REQUIRED to complete, sign, and submit your Live Fire Accountability Form prior to the event. This form must be submitted before training begins — do not wait until you arrive.

TRAINING SCHEDULE

Friday, April 17 — Live Fire Training
Conducted in coordination with the Nevada State Fire Marshal. Participants will complete controlled live-fire evolutions covering fire behavior, tactical decision making, crew coordination, and firefighter safety.

Saturday, April 18 — Live Extrication Training
Led by LN Curtis with instruction from a certified Hurst Tools Instructor. Covers modern vehicle construction, scene safety, stabilization, patient access, and hydraulic rescue tool deployment.

Saturday, April 18 — Forcible Entry (H.O.T.)
Hands-on training with Hortons and Hunt focused on safe and effective forcible entry techniques for residential and commercial structures.

REGISTRATION

Registration is still open. All registrations are now $100 (NSFA Member or General). Guest meals are available for $10.

Register online at: https://www.nsfa.org/nsfa-regional-training-symposium/

LODGING

Book your room early. Recommended hotels in Ely:

• Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall — (775) 289-6665
• Jailhouse Hotel & Casino — (775) 289-3033
• Copper Queen Hotel & Casino — (775) 289-4884
• Prospector Hotel & Gambling Hall — (800) 750-0557

MEALS INCLUDED

Registration includes a BBQ dinner provided by EVFD on Friday evening and a steak dinner on Saturday.

Questions? Contact us at https://www.nsfa.org/contact-us/.

We look forward to seeing you in Ely. Train hard. Stay safe.

— Nevada State Firefighters Association

The wait is over—the official schedule and training locations for the 2026 NSFA Regional Training Symposium in Ely, Nevada are now available.

We’re bringing together hands-on training, top-tier instructors, and great networking opportunities across two full days of events. Whether you’re attending for live fire, extrication, or forcible entry, you’ll now be able to plan your experience from start to finish.

📅 Event Overview

Thursday, April 16 – Kickoff

• 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Meet & Greet / Registration
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall

🔥 Friday, April 17 – Live Fire Training

• 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Registration Open
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
  • Live Fire Training – Nevada State Fire Marshal
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Lunch Break / Physical Agility Course
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Live Fire Training Continues
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  • EVFD BBQ
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 6:30 PM
  • Cornhole Tournament
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall

🚒 Saturday, April 18 – Hands-On Training Tracks

Hortons & Hunts Forcible Entry Track

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
  • Classroom Session
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • H.O.T. Training
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Lunch / Physical Agility
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
  • Classroom Session
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • H.O.T. Training
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall

LN Curtis Vehicle Extrication Track

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
  • Classroom Session
    • 📍 Ely Fire Station
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • H.O.T. Training
    • 📍 Ely Landfill
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Lunch / Physical Agility
    • 📍 EVFD Fire Hall
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
  • Classroom Session
    • 📍 Ely Fire Station
• 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • H.O.T. Training
    • 📍 Ely Landfill

🍽️ Main Event Dinner

• 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Sponsored by LN Curtis
  • 📍 Elks Lodge

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📍 Event Locations

• EVFD Fire Hall: 499 Mill St. Ely, NV 89301
• Ely Fire Station: 1780 Great Basin Blvd. Ely, NV 89301
• Ely City Landfill: 1003 Lackawanna Rd. Ely, NV 89301
• Elks Lodge: 694 Campton St. Ely, NV 89301

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⚠️ Important Notes

• Be on time for all classroom and hands-on sessions
• PPE is required for all live training evolutions
• Hydrate and be prepared for outdoor conditions
• Follow all instructor and safety officer directions

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👉 Don’t Miss Out

This is shaping up to be one of the most hands-on and valuable training events of the year for Nevada firefighters.

If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time.

👉 Register at NSFA.org

As wild weather continues to impact communities across the nation, the Nevada State Firefighters’ Association extends its heartfelt support to our brothers and sisters in Texas.

On behalf of all firefighters in the State of Nevada—both career and volunteer—I want to offer our condolences and prayers to the brave men and women in Texas who continue to put their lives on the line in the face of devastating flooding. Their commitment to saving lives and protecting communities in such dangerous circumstances is nothing short of heroic.

Nevada has mobilized significant resources to support Texas during this time of need, including 47 members and critical equipment from the USAR Nevada Task Force-1. We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with those on the front lines and grateful to all who continue to serve selflessly.

If you are able and feel moved to help, we encourage donations to a trusted and vetted relief effort

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💧 Kerr County Flood Relief Fund

The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund provides both urgent and long-term support to communities impacted by the devastating July 4th floods. Administered by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Kerrville, this fund distributes resources directly to vetted local organizations offering rescue, relief, and recovery assistance.

Affected areas include Boerne, Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort.

All donations are tax-deductible.

👉 Learn more and donate here.

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Let’s continue to look out for one another—whether across the street or across state lines.

In solidarity,

Steve McClintock
President, Nevada State Firefighters’ Association