Thursday, December 29, 2016

IGNITE: Help Others Help You

You can get everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want.  – Zig Ziglar (Wildland firefighters watching a wildfire from afar)
You can get everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want. – Zig Ziglar
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[Photo credit: Justin Vernon/USFS (2016)]

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Wildland FF Health and Safety: Sleep

Rest time
Sleep 

MTDC and University of Montana researchers have been conducting human factors studies on wildland firefighters for several decades. Incident management team (IMT) members asked MTDC to study human factors associated with their duties. In 2006, we began studying stress and cardiovascular risk in incident management team members. Those studies, which continued in 2007 and 2008, showed that sleep deprivation contributed to fatigue, stress, and impaired performance of team members. This report reviews some basic information concerning sleep and sleep deprivation, information that could be useful for incident management team members and wildland firefighters, as well as other agency personnel. Other information on studies of stress in incident management team members can be found in “Wildland Firefighter Health & Safety Report” Nos. 11 and 12.

Monday, December 26, 2016

IGNITE: Embracing Change

We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are. – John C. Maxwell (Wildland firefighter near a pond and waterfall)
We cannot become what we need by remaining what we are. – John C. Maxwell

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[Photo credit: Sean Lancaster/Twin Falls District - BLM (2016)]

Friday, December 23, 2016

Season's Greetings

On behalf of the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee and the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program, we want to take a moment to wish our followers the warmest of holidays. May you take this time to reflect upon all that 2016 brought and 2017 has to offer. For those supporting the fire ground, thank you for your service and sacrifice.   Happy holidays to one and all!  [Photo credit: Nicole Oke, Wildland Firefighters Monument, NIFC] (Wreaths and snow adorn the Wildland Fire Monument in Boise, ID)

On behalf of the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee and the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program, we want to take a moment to wish our followers the warmest of holidays. May you take this time to reflect upon all that 2016 brought and 2017 has to offer. For those supporting the fire ground, thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Happy holidays to one and all!

[Photo credit: Nicole Oke, Wildland Firefighters Monument, NIFC]

Thursday, December 22, 2016

IGNITE: Are you willing to go forward alone?

To be able to lead others, a man must be willing to go forward alone. – Harry Truman (Wildland firefighter walking on a road next to a raging wildfire)

To be able to lead others, a man must be willing to go forward alone. - Harry Truman

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership. LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Ada County Sheriff's Office, Mile Marker 14 fire (2016)]

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

2017 "Leading Authentically" Campaign

Leading Authentically logo

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program Mission
“Promote cultural change in the workforce and to emphasize the vital importance of leadership concepts in the wildland fire service by providing educational and leadership development opportunities.”

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program recognizes learning, cutting-edge concepts, and tools as a fundamental process in becoming and remaining leaders. Leaders are focused on continual improvement; they seek out and assimilate best practices that improve themselves and their organizations.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

A Life of Work, Love, and Play

Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man's being. - Orison Swett Marden (Raging wildland fire in shades of purple, orange and blue)
A career in wildland fire comes with its share of challenges. The biggest may be the ability to manage a life of work, love and play. Emergency responders and their families are well aware of the personal sacrifices made to accomplish the mission.

Monday, December 19, 2016

IGNITE: The Enemy Within

An organization’s deadliest enemies are internal. How we treat each other while we face external challenges determines our ability to win. –Dan Rockwell (Wildland firefighter monitoring forest fire)
An organization’s deadliest enemies are internal. How we treat each other while we face external challenges determines our ability to win. – Dan Rockwell

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership. 
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#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: Midewin IHC]

Thursday, December 15, 2016

IGNITE: Invest in Your People!

Adding value to people with high potential who are hungry to grow is one of the best investments a leader can make. - John Maxwell (Wildland firefighter throwing dirt)

Adding value to people with high potential who are hungry to grow is one of the best investments a leader can make. - John Maxwell

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership. LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis

[Photo credit: Tyler Churchill/PatRick Environmental]

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Your Feedback on Training is Needed

NWCG Training System Assessment website QR code

Help NWCG help the wildland fire service! Take a moment to provide feedback into NWCG training development.

"In April 2015, NWCG Training was directed to assess the NWCG Training System (guides, course materials, Position Task Books (PTB), etc.) and provide recommendations for improving system effectiveness and efficiency. The Training System Assessment is being implemented in phases. The intent of this site is to provide information about the project."

Visit the NWCG Training System Assessment website today and provide valuable feedback.

Please share through your spheres of influence!

BIA Staff Attends Gettysburg Staff Ride

Back Row (from left to right): Bob Roberts, Dave Underwood, Garth Fisher, Brig. Gen. Horace Porter, aka Mike Reetz, Mark Jackson, Joe Kafka, Darryl Martinez, and Lucas Minton Bottom Row: Robin White and Robyn Broyles
“I felt like this course will greatly improve leadership as a whole within the BIA fire organization. I learned that communications and relationships are two very important factors in leadership. I am taking back with me the notion that leadership is action and good leaders will take the necessary steps to further the interests of their employees and the mission of the Agency.” – Lucas Minton, Eastern Region Fire Management Officer

Monday, December 12, 2016

Our Values and Principles

Duty Be proficient in your job, both technically ans as a leader. Make sound and timely decisions. Ensure tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished. Develop your people for the future. Respect Know your people and look out for their well-being. Keep your people informed. Build the team. Employ your people in accordance with their capabilities. Integrity Know yourself and seek improvement. Seek responsibility and accept responsibility for your actions. Set the example.

Duty

  • Be proficient in your job, both technically ans as a leader.
  • Make sound and timely decisions.
  • Ensure tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.
  • Develop your people for the future.
Respect
  • Know your people and look out for their well-being.
  • Keep your people informed.
  • Build the team.
  • Employ your people in accordance with their capabilities.
Integrity
  • Know yourself and seek improvement.
  • Seek responsibility and accept responsibility for your actions.
  • Set the example.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

IGNITE: Unlearning is Hard


It is not hard to learn more. What is hard is to unlearn when you discover yourself wrong. – Martin H. Fischer (Firefighter burning a brush pile in the snow)

It is not hard to learn more. What is hard is to unlearn when you discover yourself wrong. – Martin H. Fischer

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: NPS]

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Behavioral Health: Continuing the Conversation

National Fallen Firefighter Foundation "New Goals" poster (on average a firefighter dies in the line of duty every 4 hours...many can be prevented

[This article is a joint effort between Firehouse magazine and the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program to promote firefighter health and wellness. HELP OTHERS - HELP YOURSELF]



Did you know that firefighter suicides are rarely linked to the firefighter’s experience on one or two big, traumatic calls? The experts tell us it is usually a confluence of small personal and professional stressors, that, over time, become too much to bear. The March Firehouse magazine article “Who Responds to a Firefighter’s Worst Day?” introduces the idea that our emotional reactions to incidents are varied and somewhat unpredictable. Although as a fire service we’ve improved the screening process and assistance we provide to firefighters following traumatic calls, this article underscores that there are many other factors that contribute to stress. Left unresolved, they can cause mental and emotional damage over time.

Monday, December 5, 2016

IGNITE: Leading From...

 It is better to lead from behind and put other in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership. –Nelson Mandela  (Fire above houses along a mountain slope)

It is better to lead from behind and put other in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership. – Nelson Mandela 

IGNITE the Spark for Leadership. 
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks. 
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS]


Thursday, December 1, 2016

IGNITE: Understanding the Needs

Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it. – Marian Anderson
Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it. – Marian Anderson
IGNITE the Spark for Leadership.
LIKE and SHARE throughout your networks.
#fireleadership #fireminis
[Photo credit: Buck Rock Foundation]