Emergency Responder Safety Institute

09/01/2026

2026 PPE Module Update — Life-Saving Information for Professional Responders

The Responder Safety Learning Network updated its PPE module with new information on helmets and the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Personal Protective Equipment for Roadway Incident Response 2026 is available now. You’ll learn how to select and correctly and consistently wear PPE from head to toe, including high visibility apparel and head protection, as well as how to make wearing it a habit.

PPE can reduce deaths and injuries at roadway incident response — but only if you wear it correctly and consistently. Learn how at

This module details the personal protective equipment that emergency responders should wear when responding to roadway incidents.

08/11/2026

NAWHSL Conference
August 27-29, Minneapolis, MN

Todd Leiss, CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute, will be speaking at the National Association of Women Highway Safety Leaders conference on "Fast Food, Fast Lanes, and Fatal Mistakes."

Learn more:

NAWHSL Distinguished Young Woman in Traffic Prevention

08/05/2026

New Training Module: After Action Review (AAR) for Roadway Incidents

A new RSLN.org module, After Action Review for Roadway Incidents, shows you how to use this powerful tool at every roadway incident response. You’ll learn how to conduct an AAR, scale its implementation depending on the magnitude of the incident, guide a consistent inquiry process to debrief what went well and what could be improved, and take that collective wisdom and apply it to improve response moving forward with concrete actions.

AAR makes roadway incident responses safer — but only if you practice it. Get Started: https://tinyurl.com/y7ayyx54

08/04/2026

International Association of Fire Chief’s Conference
August 12-14, Kansas City, MO

Thousands of the most prominent fire and emergency service leaders from across North America and around the globe come to FRI to learn, network and collaborate together. Joe Kroboth and Steve Austin, CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute, will be attending. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/2vjf2v5k

08/03/2026

New Podcast Episode: From Tragedy to Advocacy

Deputy Brad Hughes shares his powerful story on the ResponderSafety.com podcast, recounting the day he was struck by a distracted driver while serving his community. The incident resulted in the double amputation of his legs, but it also inspired a mission to advocate for responder safety and raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

This podcast is a must for responders and should be shared with the public and other responders. Please take a few minutes to listen, then share it to help spread this life-saving message.

https://tinyurl.com/5h8bxdrj

07/22/2026

CVVFA125th Anniversary Convention

Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association is excited to celebrate our 125″ Annual Convention New Stanton, Pennsylvania, hosted by PennSTART and RIDC Westmoreland from July 29th to August 1st, 2026.

Register now to be a part of this historic milestone celebration being held at a state of the art facility designed to improve roadway safety initiatives.

We are excited to open registration for the CVVFA 125th Anniversary Convention.  Register now to be a part of this historic milestone celebration being held at a state of the art facility designed to improve roadway safety initiatives.   

07/13/2026

The CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute observes Rural Road Safety Awareness Week, July 13-17

Rural Road Safety Awareness Week (RRSAW), July 13–17, shines a national spotlight on the unique challenges of rural travel, highlighting a range of transportation modes and the life-saving strategies that can improve safety for all road users.

This year’s theme is, “The Rural Modes.”

Find free training materials and resources at https://tinyurl.com/bdcvv7zu

07/08/2026

Todd Leiss, CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute, will be speaking about the importance of roadway responder safety, sharing about www.reportstruckby.com and what CVVFA is doing as well as going beyond the numbers and focusing on the economic impact using the Struck-By database.

Bring the family!

06/25/2026

This summer, Todd Leiss of the CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute will be speaking on the critical importance of roadway responder safety.

His sessions will highlight insights from www.reportstruckby.com, the work of CVVFA, and take a deeper look at the economic impact behind struck-by incidents using the Struck-By database.

We hope you can join us at one of these upcoming events:

Colorado Traffic Safety Summit
July 14–16 | Grand Junction, CO
https://tinyurl.com/4h3jveb4

Fayette County Firefighters Association Conference
July 18 | Perryopolis, PA
https://tinyurl.com/ms8ve9w3

DriveSmart VA (13th Annual Distracted Driving Summit)
August 12–13 | Blacksburg, VA
https://tinyurl.com/4jvw8b5k

34th Annual PA HazMat Training & Education Conference
August 20–23 | Altoona, PA
https://tinyurl.com/64s3bduu

06/16/2026

NVFC Training Summit
June 26-27, Arlington, VA

This event is an opportunity to participate in valuable classroom training and share ideas and best practices with emergency responders from across the U.S.

Speakers from the CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute:

• Dr. Candice McDonald will be speaking on "Successful Volunteer Retention and Recruitment in the Fire Service."
• Todd Leiss will be speaking on "Holding the Line: First-In Leadership for Safer Roadway Incidents."

Learn more and register. https://nvfc.swoogo.com/summit2026/