Boise, Idaho – Four individuals from the wildland fire
service were chosen to receive the ninth national Paul Gleason Lead by Example
Award. The recipients were selected for demonstrating valued leadership traits
during or in support of wildland fire operations.
The annual award was created to honor Paul Gleason, a
wildland firefighter whose career spanned several decades before he succumbed
to cancer in 2003. Gleason is best known for developing the LCES (Lookout,
Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones) concept that became the foundation
of wildland firefighter safety. Throughout his career, Gleason led and mentored
firefighters, studied and taught wildland fire, and worked to improve
firefighter safety. The awards highlight Gleason’s influence on and
contribution to wildland fire management, while honoring those who demonstrate
the spirit of leadership for which he was known.
The award is sponsored by the Wildland Fire Leadership
Development Subcommittee under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, an
interagency, intergovernmental group that works to improve policy, standards,
and safety in wildland and prescribed fire management. The Lead by Example Award
is based on three categories: motivation and vision; mentoring and teamwork;
and innovation or initiative. Individuals and groups from federal, state, local
and tribal agencies are eligible for the award.
Award Recipients for 2011
Motivation and Vision
Travis Dotson
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, NPS
Throughout a career as a hotshot and smokejumper as well as working
at the Fire Use Training Academy (FUTA) and Wildland Fire Lessons Learned
Center, Travis developed incredible expertise and leadership skills bridging
the gap between technical and practical. His high level of integrity has earned
respect from colleagues as well as leaving lasting impressions on others with
his humble attitude. Recent notable accomplishments include development of the
Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) Dutch Creek Response Protocol insert,
involvement with the YouTube video “We Will Never Forget You: Remembering Andy
Palmer,” NWCG Committee Chairman of the FireFit Program, continued involvement
in Facilitated Learning Analysis and Lessons Learned Review opportunities, and
development of mentoring and student goal tracking programs related to FUTA.
These accomplishments demonstrate a great example and show true commitment to
duty in the wildland fire service.
Mentoring and Teamwork
Tony Doty
Preparedness and Response Division, Office of Emergency
Management
Tony’s contribution to wildland firefighter development
through training and mentoring is commendable. Over the years, he has provided
exemplary leadership as a mentor and training specialist to countless
firefighters and incident management teams. As Chief of the Alaska Fire
Service’s Branch of Fire Training, Tony ensured students had the necessary
facilities and training needed to grow in their careers as firefighters,
managers, and future leaders within and outside the wildland fire service. Of
special recognition are his efforts to provide a field version of the S-420
course, hosting Alaska’s first L 480 course, and contributions to the Incident
Management Organization Succession Planning Team. Tony’s leadership truly
embodies the Paul Gleason Lead by Example award.
Mentoring and Teamwork
Patrick Lookabaugh
Whiskeytown Wildland Fire Management, NPS
Throughout Patrick’s career, he has risen to the challenge
of mentoring numerous firefighters and building cohesive, adaptable and highly
motivated teams. The depth and experience his teams exhibited is a direct
reflection of the leadership values he continually communicated and
demonstrated. As a leader, Patrick ensures mentoring opportunities are
available to those within his organization as well as allowing fire
professionals from other agencies to learn by example through detail
opportunities within his module. Additionally, Patrick contributed training and
development to the wildland fire workforce as an instructor at Shasta College
and the Northern California Training Center. These learning and mentoring
moments are recognized at the local, regional and national levels. Whiskeytown
Fire Management Module’s consistently strong reputation throughout the wildland
community is a testament to Patrick’s commitment to developing wildland fire
leaders.
Initiative and
Innovation
Ralph Thomas
Fort Apache Agency, BIA
Ralph has been instrumental in the development and growth of
the BIA’s National Fire Mentoring Program. The program connects upcoming fire
leaders with mentors to conduct field-oriented prescribed fire and suppression
training. Ralph served as a mentor, field coordinator and role model in the BIA
and tribal programs. He organically exhibited many of the leadership principles
and values espoused by the leadership program. His quiet confidence is a
catalyst to the mentees, providing an atmosphere which encourages
time-compressed decision making, rapid team building, tactical skills and
leadership development with a diverse mixture of firefighters from around the
country in a dynamic environment. Even with advances in modeling programs and
decision support tools used to translate data, knowledge and experience to make
decisions with fire on the landscape is a crucial part of wildland fire
service. The scope of Ralph’s mentoring will be felt for years to come as he
continues to train others to conduct themselves with respect, professionalism,
and leadership as students of fire.
