IGNITE: Influence through Presence

Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.– Sheryl Sandberg

Share through your spheres of influence.

[Photo: Wyoming Interagency Hotshots]

To Suppress, Or Not Suppress, That Is The Question

At about this time a year ago, when I first started this Student of Fire blog, I attended our forests’ IC Refresher. Today, attending this years IC Refresher, was sort of like a Student of Fire anniversary for me. My perspective has changed during that time. I’ve committed many hours to reading, site visits, researching, and, well, actively performing my job as a Forestry Technician. Today I expected your run-of-the-mill delegation of authority, same old thing I’ve heard for the last couple years as an IC5 trainee. What I didn’t expect was to be sitting in my chair having the feeling that I was part of something, something on the verge of some serious change. I’m talking about not suppressing every fire. I’m talking about a fundamental shift that has been talked about and forgotten, talked about but never acted on.

IGNITE: What Leaders Provide

Leaders provide purpose, direction, and motivation to those they lead. - Leading in the Widlland Fire Service, page 22

[Photo credit: Gregg Boydston]

IGNITE: Leadership and Learning Go Together

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. – John F. Kennedy

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS, Pioneer Fire (2016)]

Responding to Your Own Mental Health

The trauma that we see as firefighters on a daily basis will take a toll on people. Understanding how to deal with your body’s reactions to trauma may put you ahead of the game. Taking advantage of simple ways to recognize that we’re starting to struggle mentally with what we see on the job may be as important as life or death.

IGNITE: Building a Solid Team

A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together. – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

[Photo credit: BIA Uintah and Ouray Agency]

IGNITE: Leadership Excellence

True leadership lies in guiding others to success--in ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well. – Bill Owens

[Photo credit: Folsom Lake Veterans' Fire Crew]

We Cannot Stand Alone: Human-caused Fires Call for Human Collaboration

by Jay Stalnacker

Fire management has changed substantially from the days when I was seasonally employed as a smoke jumper. Back then, a lightning storm would move across the open wilderness of the Idaho panhandle dropping flashes of nature’s magic. Sometimes, hundreds of fires would be started from these storms.

IGNITE: Remembering Our Fallen on Memorial Day

In memory of many, in honor of all. Thank You
Happy Memorial Day

[Photo credit: Nicole Oke]

IGNITE: Bring Your Best

Bring your best every day.

[Photo credit: Alex Galt, USFWS]