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.
For several hundred dollars, a fire organization can put together a good library and implement a reading program on their home unit.
How many young firefighters know what happened at Mann Gulch or South Canyon? How many have read anything that discusses the principles of sound leadership? How many have read stories from other disciplines or endeavors that describe leaders in action?
This is not busy work; this is not drudgery. Encourage specific reading within your organization that will provoke reflection, discussion, and debate. Read and discuss together with a view toward how you can apply lessons from the past in future operations.
[Click here to download Learning in the Wildland Fire Service.]
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