IGNITE: Happy 2018!

Fire leaders bring order to chaos, improve our people’s lives, and strengthen our organizations.

~ Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 6 ~

IGNITE: Without Followers

Without leaders, there are no followers.

You’re a leader.

We need you.

~ Seth Godin, “Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us” ~

[Photo credit: Redding IHC]

2018 Leadership Campaign Theme Announced

The NWCG Leadership Subcommittee is pleased to announce the 2018 National Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign - Leading Through Relationships. The campaign will run throughout the calendar year.


There are a few changes coming to the campaign this year.

• Delivery - The campaign will move from a publication format and website delivery to a social media campaign. All materials will be delivered via blog and Facebook posts and tweets.

• Contest - The From the Field for the Field Contest will no longer be a campaign element. Social media followers may see occasional challenges and incentives.

If you aren't following our blog or social media platforms, please follow us soon.

• Facebook
• Twitter

Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge

"A tribe is a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader, and connected to an idea. For millions of years, human beings have been part of one tribe or another. A group needs only two things to be a tribe: a shared interest and a way to communicate." - Seth Godin

• Read Seth Godin's book "Tribes - We Need You to Lead Us"

IGNITE: Building Credibility

Your credibility can only be built over time...from the history of your words and actions. - Maria Razumich-Zec

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]

Wing It, Wang It, Wung It

(Pixabay/Memory Catcher)

What are you doing to prepare for your next roll? 

The season continues for many wildland firefighters, but the next assignment comes quickly. Students of fire continually prepared themselves for next steps.

Thanks to Student of Fire for allowing us to share his perspective with our readers.

Lead well, followers!

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Less Than a Month Away: East Coast Detail

by Student of Fire

My son, the holidays, getting married, a month off work, the family dinners and the Christmas tree...

Taking a detail in January leaves me with 21 days left until starting all over again. I’m not complaining. I was told to be glad to be working when there is work to do. True. But to conjure up the enthusiasm while sitting in a warm house with Christmas decorations and silence while the kid takes a nap, that’s not for everyone.

IGNITE: Season's Greetings

As we reflect on 2017, we take a moment to thank you for your support. 

We are thankful for such faithful followers.

[Photo: Nicole Oke]

The Rules for Being Human

(Photo: Dynamic Graphics/Thinkstock)

There seems to be a lot of discontent in society, in our workplaces, and our homes right now. I know I have experienced my share of distress in the last few months. I find myself trying to make sense of situations that are either nonsensical or way outside my control and influence.

IGNITE: Our Greatest Asset and Investment

As leaders, we have to understand that people are our greatest asset and therefore our greatest investment. ~ Perry Noble

[Photo: Jay Kurth/CIIMT4, Thomas fire, Ventura Co, 2017]

Increasing and Sustaining Diversity

Ten members of the USFWS Branch of Fire Management, including regional representatives, attended the 2017 Women and Leadership Conference in September as one step in the work of the Diversity and Inclusion Team, established in early 2017.

Coordinated by Team Leader, Gillian Fay, the team seeks to identify and evaluate the challenges and barriers faced by underrepresented people seeking to enter or advance in the wildland fire program. The team also works to enhance career opportunities and empower employees to stand up to harassment.

The conference was presented by the Andrus Center for Public Policy at the Boise State University and featured keynote presentations from accomplished women leaders, skill-based training that focused on professional development and opportunities to network with peers. "Increasing and sustaining diversity is important to the fire management program,” said Branch Chief Chris Wilcox. “To be successful in our conservation mission, we first have to understand the barriers to increasing workforce diversity, and we have to act on that knowledge.”

---

Thank you to the USFWS Branch of Fire Management for sharing their experience.

IGNITE: To Grow and Contribute

Leadership provides us with unique and powerful challenges to grow and contribute. - Brendon Burchard

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

IGNITE: The Liberation of Communication

Good communication liberates us to do our jobs better. - Max De Pree

[Photo: Tallac IHC]

IGNITE: Behavior is infectious!

Behavior is infectious! 

Dacher Keltner

[Photo credit: Redding IHC]

IGNITE: Expressing Our Gratitude

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. John F. Kennedy

[Photo credit: Baker River IHC]

Merritt Island Memorial Dedication and Ransom Road Fire Staff Ride

On November 1 and 2, 2017, the USFWS held a memorial dedication and staff ride at the Merritt Island refuge in Florida. These events were in honor of two fallen firefighters and their families from events that occurred 36 years ago on June 8, 1981.
Not knowing how we take care of our own today, there were some who were anxious about the events. In the end, the family and peers of the fallen who attended were able to realize a healing closure that was long over due.

IGNITE: Character is a choice!

Talent is a gift, but character is a choice. - John C Maxwell

[Photo credit: Plumas IHC]

IGNITE: Seeds of Hope

Even in obstacles, a leader finds the seeds of hope. - Steve Gutzler

[Photo credit: Baker River IHC]

Consistency - A Key in Leadership Success

(Pixabay/Free Graphic Today)

A few years back when I was officiating college and high school basketball, I wasn’t considered the best—as a matter of fact I was yelled, screamed, and cursed at by the best of crowds. However, as voted on by the coaches, I was the most consistent referee during my time. There was never a school I couldn’t officiate in. Coaches knew that if I was officiating their game, I would be consistent with my calls.

IGNITE: Ask Questions!

It is better to ask some of the questions than know all the answers.

~ James Thurber ~

[Photo credit: Redding IHC]

IGNITE: Expressions of Gratitude

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

[Photo credit: Paul Cerda]

Bigger than Self - An Environment of Service

As we approach Veteran's Day and the conclusion of the 2017 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign - Leading Authentically take a moment to watch this excerpt of Simon Sinek's
"Why good leaders make you feel safe" Ted Talk.


Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper

• Establish an environment of service within your team or local unit.
• Read Richard Fagerlin's book Trust•o•logy.

Semper Fidelis OMNA

Photo of OMNA Marine veterans taken in Quantico, Virginia, circa 1988. From left to right:
LtCol Eric Carlson USMC (Ret.), Col Craig Huddleston USMC (Ret.), Col Chris Conlin USMC (Ret.), and General John Kelly USMC (Ret.) and current White House Chief of Staff.

Semper Fidelis OMNA
By George Risko

On November 10, 2017 the United States Marine Corps will celebrate its 242nd birthday. Formed at Tunn Tavern, on November 10, 1775, the USMC has gone on to deliver over two centuries of honorable and faithful service to the United States. In those years, the USMC has built up many men and women who then moved on into civilian life, taking with them the proud traditions and leadership qualities learned in the Corps.

IGNITE: Make a Path, Leave a Trail

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

[Photo credit: Justin Vernon]

IGNITE: GAME ON!

It's "game on" every day!

[Photo: UAK Nanooks Wildland Fire Crew]

Experience Builds Bias

Us tree burners love belt buckles and their not so subtle significance. A buckle says: “This is where I paid my dues.” How many office pants are held up by a Shot Crew buckle from over a decade ago? I’m not bagging on this; my buckle has wings on it and I rock it proudly. I’m just pointing out the significance we place on experience.

IGNITE: The Key to Achieving Uncommon Results

Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results. - Ifeanyi

[Photo credit: Feather River IHC]

IGNITE: Are You Adjusting Sails?

The pessimist complains about the wind.

The optimist expects it to change.

The leader adjusts the sails.

- John Maxwell

[Photo credit: Kari Greer/USFS]

October Fury - Fires of '47 in Maine

Seventy years ago Maine experienced one of the worst fire seasons on record. We have been sharing bits and pieces about those fires, but not speaks more than hearing from those who were there.

Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper

• Read Joyce Butler's book “Wildfire Loose: The Week Maine Burned.”
• What comments do you hear today that were uttered 70 years ago?

Time is Running Out to Nominate

Each year the NWCG Leadership Committee provides an opportunity for exceptional leaders to be recognized through the Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

The award was established to remember the contributions to the wildland fire service by Paul Gleason and his many achievements that established the foundation of being a student of fire and set the stage for the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program to provide students of leadership tools, training and guidance in development of leadership skills.

Information about the award and how to nominate a person or group can be found on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website.

Nominations are open until December 31.

When making a nomination, provide a detailed description of why the nominee deserves the award. Short statements may or may not do justice to a nominee's worthiness of the award.

IGNITE: Organizations Need Eager Followers

An organization, any organization, needs people who aren’t just willing to follow, but are eager to follow. - Seth Godin

[Photo credit: Plumas IHC, Gap fire, 2016]

IGNITE: Stay Calm

Relax. Look around. Make a call. - Leif Babin, Extreme Ownership

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

There’s Nothing Wrong with the “F” Word

(Photo: Pixabay/Geralt)

There’s Nothing Wrong with the “F” Word

by Riva Duncan

Failure: The neglect or omission of expected or required action. The Oxford Dictionary

Human: representative of or susceptible to the sympathies and frailties of human nature. Merriam-Webster Dictionary

(Photo: Pixabay/DirtyOpi)

Well, I don’t know what all of you might be thinking, but I’m talking about Failure. Yes, that “F” word. It seems we have become afraid to talk about failure. This word is something that is rarely used anymore in FLAs, reviews, etc. We dance around it; we tip toe across it like it’s broken glass; we use other words instead. In our journey towards being a learning culture in fire, I feel the pendulum has swung too far the other way. In the "bad old days" that many of us remember, serious accidents and fatalities resulted in investigations that seemed hell-bent on finger-pointing, finding blame. “Firefighters failed to follow the 10 and 18.” “’Can-do’ attitudes were causal factors.” “Managers failed to keep their people safe.” I’m not saying we need to go back to those dark days. No way. We’ve made great strides in looking for the learning; trying to get to the “why” and not the “who.” But we seem so afraid to talk about failures that I fear we are losing some of these tragic, yet rich, opportunities for learning.

IGNITE: Empower Your People

Empowerment is not just the right thing to do, it is good business and it has a personal payback. -  Patrick Townsend & Joan Gebhardt in "Five-Star Leadership"

[Photo: Baker River IHC]

IGNITE: Practice in the Art

The visible signs of artful leadership are expressed, ultimately, in its practice. - Max De Pree

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

More Questions Than Answers

(Photo: Geralt/Pixabay)

I recently asked our Facebook followers to weigh in on the following question:

"Leadership is more art than science."

[Do you agree/disagree? What does this mean?]

IGNITE: The Voyage of Discovery

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

IGNITE: Help One, Help Others

When you help a person become a better leader, you help all the people that leader impacts. - Perry Noble

[Photo credit: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC (Snake Fire, 2015)]

Are You a Pushmi or a Pullyu?

Have your ever felt like you were on the most amazing team in the world—the Pushmi-Pullyu team? I know I have, and the results can be extremely frustrating or downright amazing!

IGNITE: Rising Above Followership

It is the capacity to develop and improve their skills that distinguishes leaders from followers. - Warren Bennis & Burt Nanus

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC, Griffin fire (2016)]

IGNITE: Empowering Others

Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others. - John Maxwell

[Photo credit: Plumas IHC]

Leadership and Morale in Wildland Firefighting

Leadership and Morale in Wildland Firefighting

By Thomas Dockery

When you think of building a team in the wildland firefighting community what do you normally think about? If you have previous experience in leadership roles, you may have slides to go off of, some do’s and don’ts that you’ve experienced through trial and error. If you’ve been in a junior role (which we’re all in no matter the title), you’ve hopefully observed leaders in action and have created slides on what not to do and some goals on what you would like to do if you were given the opportunity. Building a team in the wildland fire community is extremely complex and there are a million different ways to do it. However, the tools we have access to are the same. How many of you reading this paper have read Leading in the Wildland Fire Service published by the NWCG or visited the Wildland Fire Leadership Development website?  If you haven’t read the book or visited the website, it’s definitely worth your time. In the book you’ll find information on framework for leadership, duty (accomplishing your mission), respect (taking care of people), and integrity (developing yourself). But I would like to add to it by writing about a nameless entity that can destroy a team or make others jealous and that is morale.

IGNITE: Improving Lives and Organizations

Fire leaders bring order to chaos, improve our people’s lives, and strengthen our organizations. ~ Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, p. 6 ~

[Photo credit: Tallac IHC]

IGNITE: Living Life's Lessons

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. - Helen Keller

[Photo: Redding IHC]

The IFPM/FS-FPM Double Standard

(Hemera Technologies/Thinkstock)

“Following the South Canyon Fire in 1994, an interagency team was formed to investigate the fatalities and contributing factors. The subsequent 1995 Federal Wildland Fire Policy and Program Review, signed by both Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, directed Federal wildland fire agencies to establish fire management qualifications standards to improve firefighter safety and increase professionalism in fire management programs.

IGNITE: Passing the Torch

Life is no ‘ brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
~ George Bernard Shaw ~

[Photo courtesy of Buck Rock Foundation]

IGNITE: Passing the Torch

Life is no ‘ brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. ~ George Bernard Shaw

[Photo courtesy of Buck Rock Foundation]

IGNITE: Change the Way You Look at Things

Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. - Wayne Dyer

[Photo: Edu Borroso]

Some thoughts on what you eat…

Some folks proclaim, “you’re going to die anyway...” when they realize the amount of discipline I hold over what I eat. To that, I say, “it is not about dying, it is about how you live.” We have choices about what we eat, how much we eat, and how many different things we eat. Because we have choices, I want mine to be the best. So I research, study and reconcile what I learn with anecdotal information. I have come to a rather simple summary of what I should eat–QQV: Quality, Quantity and Variety.

IGNITE: Empowered!

Give me a place to stand, and I will move the earth. Give me a fulcrum, and I shall move the world. - Archimedes

[Photo: Redding IHC]

IGNITE: Remember Where We Came From

If we forget where we came from, we will often lose sight of where we're going. - Perry Noble

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]