Decision-Making Cycle

 

Consciously or subconsciously, people go through this cycle every time they make a decision.

"About Us" - WFLDP

(Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay)

When most people think of the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP), they think of the L-courses (L-180, L-280, L-380, L-381, L-480, L-481, and L-580). Did you know that the curriculum is only one of three components that make up the WFLDP? 

Situation Awareness Cycle

Situation Awareness is depicted as a cycle because the situation and people’s perceptions are constantly changing. This internal cycle continues as long as people are awake. 

Making Sound and Timely Decisions

To make sound and timely decisions, fire leaders assess the situation, seek out relevant information, weigh options, make judgments, and initiate action as required to create a positive outcome within inevitable time constraints. 

The Sticky Truth About Crew Cohesion

 

Image by Elena Mullagaleeva from Pixabay

The Sticky Truth About Crew Cohesion

e. L. Pelletier – February 1, 2021

 

“Yup, I’m Sure of It. I Hate Him!”

~ Doc Holiday, Tombstone (1993)

 

In case you didn’t notice, the world has changed. January 2020 friends new and old greet each other with handshakes, fist bumps, and hugs; today, we cover our faces with masks and keep six feet distance between ourselves. It’s not an easy adjustment for anyone, but it’s one we have to work within. The new normal presents new and possibly deadly obstacles for leaders to overcome in wildland fire service, communications, interpretations, and crew cohesion.

A Look at Fireleadership.gov

Sensational headlines and click bait often draw us into the world of time loss and disappointment. Fireleadership.gov was developed with students of leadership in mind. Captured in its pages are  tools designed to help members of the wildland fire service (and beyond) develop their leadership art.

Help Us Help You

Help us help you by sharing the word of our program throughout your spheres of influence. We are better together.

Access all our platforms at https://www.fireleadership.gov.

#fireleadership #bettertogether

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

Operational Tempo

Operational tempo is the speed and intensity of our actions relative to the speed and intensity of unfolding events in the operational environment. Within this context, fire leaders plan, prepare, and execute operations proactively, rather than continuously being forced to react to the environment. 

IGNITE - Light and Key

History is a light that illuminates the past, and a key that unlocks the door to the future. - Runoko Rashidi, American Historian

[Photo: Lassen National Forest]

#fireleadership

Bias for Action - A Story from the Fireline

During the summer of 1985, drought conditions prevailed across the West, setting the stage for a difficult fire season. By the end of July, firefighters had their hands full with many large fires in several geographic areas.

IGNITE: From Failure to Achievement

 High-level achievement is often preceded by repeated failure. - The Daily Coach 

[Photo: Pioneer Peak IHC]

#fireleadership

A Bias for Action

Leaders in the wildland fire service are not only empowered but also duty-bound to act on a situation that is within our power to affect, even without direction from above. 

Challenge #10: 2021 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #10: Leaders are students of leadership.

• What is your favorite leadership book? 
• What’s the leadership book you got the most out of personally? 
• Are they the same or different books?

#2021WFLDPCampaign #readersareleaders #fireleadership

IGNITE: Today a Reader

 

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader. - Margaret Fuller

[Photo: Justin Vernon]

#readersareleaders #fireleadership

Tool Tip: Read books on topics that interest you.

 

Ok, this sounds obvious, but leadership lessons can be found in all kinds of books. While there are definitely good books on leadership development specifically, we can find examples of good leadership and tools for being a better leader in a wide variety of book topics. One of my favorite leadership books (often used in L-course prework) is The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, which is a book of historical fiction (although closely based on actual people and events).

Being Proficient in Our Job: Both Technically and as a Leader

Much of the work in the wildland fire service is technical. In demonstrating technical proficiency, fire leaders adhere to professional standard operating procedures, following established best practices.

The PRP - A Note from Our Steward

 

I’ve been fortunate to be able to help the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) out for the past 6 (almost 7) years as the Steward/Curator for the Professional Reading List, and this year marks the 6^th iteration of the list in the current format.

IGNITE: Train Your Mind

Train your mind to be calm in every situation. - Tom Bilyeu

[Photo: Kye Miller/Wyoming IHC]
#fireleadership

Duty: Accomplishing the Mission

Leaders in the wildland fire service seek and accept the duty to lead. We serve our people, our communities, and our nation. We fulfill our obligation by mastering our jobs, making sound and timely decisions, ensuring tasks can be done and are accomplished, and fostering this spirit of duty in subordinates.

Challenge #9: 2021 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #9: Leaders are readers.

• Pick a book from the PRP list that you’re going to read in in 2021 (doesn’t have to be from the 2021 list, can be from previous years). 
• Tell us which one it is and why you want to read it.

#2021WFLDPCampaign #readersareleaders #fireleadership

Tool Tip: Using Videos to Augment the Reading List

One way to introduce reading list topics to your crew, module, or unit is to use short video clips about the book or topic. It sounds like a cop-out to say it, but you don’t necessarily have to read an entire book to get the best ideas out of it, even though there’s definitely more value in reading the whole book and discussing it with others.

Leading Through Hard Times: Lessons From 9/11

(Photo: RAWS/Robbie Swofford, BLM)

Thanks to Paul Brown, FDNY IMT (retired), for sharing Leading Through Hard Times: Lessons From 9/11 us.

The NWCG Leadership Committee and members of the wildland fire service have walked beside FDNY since 9/11. Whether through the initial response (the Type 1 Alaska IMT, RAWS personnel, or other resources) to the Gettysburg staff ride and beyond, the partnership is invaluable.

Take a moment to read and share through your spheres of influence.

A Framework for Leadership - Summary

The ultimate purpose of leading in the wildland fire service is to protect life, property, and natural resources.

2021 PRP List Announced

 

“The WFLDP is announcing the 2021 Professional Reading List!  The four books chosen for this year are: Sailing True North by Admiral James Stavridis (USN Ret.); The Thirtymile Fire by John Maclean; Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff; and A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell.

IGNITE: Our Best Friend - The Book

 

One of our best friends in life is books. They are our mentors, advisors, and our roadmap to exploring the depths of who we are. - Daily Coach

[Photo: 2014 PRP]