Opportunities for Inquiry and Dialogue - Sand Table Exercises

 

Tactical Decision Games can be delivered using various table-top visual platforms such as: sand tables, solid terrain models, computer-generated terrain animations, terrain photographs, topographical maps, as well as sketch maps or even dirt, sticks, and rocks on the fireground.

The sand table platform has the additional advantage of being easily and quickly reconfigured for any variety of terrain representations.

The tactile component of these table-top platforms will generate a more engaging learning experience. Having a hands-on spatial frame of reference will also help participants suspend their disbelief and draw them into their role within the exercise.

[Click here to download Learning in the Wildland Fire Service.]

Challenge #17 - 2022 WFDLP Campaign

Challenge #17: Leaders are readers.

• Review “Implementing a Reading Program on Local Units” on the WFLDP website.
• Implement or refresh a reading program on your local unit.
• Encourage members to read at least two books a year.

IGNITE: To Be

 

To be persuasive, we must be believable. . .

To be believable, we must be credible . . .

To be credible, we must be truthful.

Edward R. Murrow

[Photo: Entiat IHC]

Opportunities for Inquiry and Dialogue - Tactical Decision Games

 

Tactical Decision Games are role-playing small group exercises designed to place individuals in some sort of decision space. TDGs are valuable because pattern recognition skills, decision-making skills, and communications skills, can all be practiced, refined, and improved.

Pelletier on Three Distractions of 2022

Three Distractions of 2022
e. L. Pelletier (04/2022)

It's that time of year again, crews, modules, and engines coming together, sniffing butts, and forming cohesive teams. At least in the wildland fire world, that's what is happening on the ground level. No doubt there will be talk, questions, and rumors about a new job classification, higher pay, and whether we need to suppress every fire start immediately. Depending on where you fall in your organization's food chain, these things are just a distraction for most of us.

Challenge #16: 2022 WFLDP Campaign

 

Challenge #16: Effective leaders are critical thinkers. 

• Review “Clocks and Clouds” in Learning in the Wildland Fire Service,” p. 23. 
• Watch “Karl Popper, Science, & Pseudoscience.” 
• Apply this analogy when reviewing incidents or accidents on the fireline.

Opportunities for Inquiry and Dialogue - Simulations and Drills

Transfer of knowledge and skills from the learning environment to the job is most likely to happen when the conditions of learning best replicate what is being required on the job.

Students are more likely to remember when instruction is active and geared toward their learning style within the actual operating environment they work in—with all the variables of direct human interaction, field conditions, stress and fatigue.

IGNITE: Learning and Sharing

In a learning organization, every member of the team is responsible for leading themselves in learning and sharing what they know with their peers. - Learning in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 22

[Photo: Midewin IHC]

IGNITE: Conversations with the Past

 

“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” - Rene Descartes

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

Opportunities for Inquiry and Dialogue - Professional Reading

Most successful organizations with sustained high-risk missions have professional reading programs. A key part of those programs is the recommendation that every leader read at least two books a year. Many corporations have required readings for their supervisors and managers.

Greg Smith - 2021 LBE Winner for Motivation and Vision

Tommy Hayes presenting Greg Smith with LBE award

Greg Smith

Aravaipa IHC/BLM

Category: Motivation and Vision

Congratulations to Greg Smith for being selected as one of the recipients for the 2021 Paul Gleason Lead by Example award. Three individuals and one group from across the wildland fire service have been chosen to receive this national award.

IGNITE: The Purpose of Life

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” - Pablo Picasso

[Photo: Jackson IHC]

Clocks and Clouds

 

Philosopher Karl Popper mused that anything we study can be divided into two categories: clocks and clouds.

Clocks are easily broken down into individual parts, what each component does and precisely how changing that component will affect the clock’s performance. When trying to find out why a clock is not working properly it is simply a process of finding the malfunctioning part.

Challenge #15 - 2022 WLFDP Campaign

 

Challenge #15: Students of fire learn from accidents.

• Download and review the Facilitated Learning Analysis and Learning Review Implementation Guide.
• Follow the FLA process through a non-complex event to foster localized learning.

IGNITE: Be A Beginner

 

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” ― Meister Eckhart, Theologian

[Photo: Zalek Linker/USFWS, Planet Ranch Fire]

Bea Day - 2021 LBE Winner for Mentoring and Teamwork

(USFS Photo: Bea Day receiving her award from Stu Rodeffer)

Bea Day
Incident Commander/Portland NIMO
Category: Mentoring and Teamwork

Congratulations to Bea Day for being selected as one of the recipients for the 2021 Paul Gleason Lead by Example award. Three individuals and one group from across the wildland fire service have been chosen to receive this national award.

Learning to Learn from Accidents

Accidents—and the reviews and investigations that follow—have been part of the wildland fire service since the time before the pulaski. And over the years, the focus and the tone of accident reviews have changed.

IGNITE: What are you fighting for?

 

“Be a leader who is fighting for something, not against something.” - Daily Coach

[Photo: Lewistown Interagency Helitack]

Sharing Lessons Throughout the Organization

 

Leaders evaluate performance at all levels to understand the causal factors of successes and failures. All those involved learn incrementally, applying today’s lessons to the next assignment. This focus on continuous process and product improvement brings with it a responsibility to share lessons learned throughout the organization.

In a learning organization, leaders treat honest mistakes as opportunities to do better next time. Understanding that failure is a part of learning, they establish command climates in which young leaders are motivated by a desire to succeed rather than a fear of failure.

[Click here to download Learning in the Wildland Fire Service.]

Challenge #14 - 2022 WFLDP Campaign

 

Challenge #14 - Students of fire have a desire and responsibility to learn.

• Review your learning plan.
• Break opportunities into two categories—desired learning and responsible to learn.
• Work with your local training officer to set goals and register for learning.
• Never stop learning.

IGNITE: Trust and Communication

Strong relationships are based on trust and communication.

But if there is not communication, there can be no trust. - Simon Sinek

[Photo: UAF Wildland Fire Crew]

Desire and Responsibility to Learn

 To be effective in this dynamic, high-risk occupation we must accept the perpetual cycle of acquiring, shaping, and honing knowledge and skills. The learning journey is never finished.

“If you choose to lead others you will have a legacy. I suppose I would want my legacy to be that firefighters begin to realize the importance of being a student of fire, and that I was able to help make that happen.” - Paul Gleason

By Endurance We Conquer

Ernest Shackleton and his Antarctic expedition has been a study within the WFLDP since its formation. After 107 years, Shackleton's lost ship "Endurance" was found at the bottom of the Weddell Sea, renewing excitement for the leadership story. I encourage you to learn about (or better yet, share your knowledge of) the expedition.

We have started a list of resources you can use to conduct a case study of the expedition and one of the most powerful stories of resilience on record. We challenge you to share your resources in the comments.

IGNITE: Cast Your Net Widely

Being a student of fire requires that you develop a thirst for lifelong learning and “cast your net widely” through inquiry to discover and take advantage of new opportunities to learn. - Learning in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 20

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

For Example: "What-ifing"

 

We train to complete a 500-foot progressive hose lay on flat ground within 10 minutes.

We educate firefighters about pump theory and properly laying hose on a fire.

Then we experience that event for real. Afterwards, we inquire about how we could have done it better or faster. We talk about how to be more efficient and more effective in the future. Next, we create opportunities for more training or education, as needed.

We design learning experiences by “What-ifing” the conditions that we expect may occur in the future.

What if the hose lay was up or down a steep slope? What if it has to be done in heavy thick brush? How do you react to a spot fire or slop-over behind the lead nozzle? What if a hose ruptures?

[Click here to download Learning in the Wildland Fire Service."]

Challenge #13 - 2022 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #13: When planning and conducting teaching and learning, leaders target behaviors for change. Be better!

• Assess your leadership environment.
• Identify weaknesses in the organization.
• Ensure team and individual behaviors are ethical and align with organizational values.
• Seek an outside source to ensure that perceptions match reality.
• Develop a plan for behavioral change.
• Implement the plan.