On February 6, 2012, we put out a challenge to our
Facebook followers to increase our likes to 500 prior to the Leadership Subcommittee meeting on April 26. This challenge was the beginning of an effort we call
IGNITE the Spark for Leadership intended to bring an awakening of the
Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (
WFLDP) and ignite the passion for leadership development within our students of fire. We are happy to report that the initial goal of 500 likes was reached prior to the meeting and another 31 (maybe more when this posts) have joined since.
The
IGNITE campaign is much more than a push for
Facebook fans. Social media is a way that we can connect and network across all levels within our community. It is a way to build movements and share information.
IGNITE is about
Y-O-U. The
WFLDP is and always has been a grassroots effort. As we have grown and expanded, we may have lost some of the luster that we had when we first rolled out the program. It doesn't have to be that way. With
Y-O-U, all things are possible.
Recently, we launched Phase II of the campaign:
Engaging the Sparks. Sparks are those of you in the field who want to be part of the awakening of the
WFLDP. Here are a few projects that we will embark upon in the coming months: 1) brainstorming ways to redesign and infuse the Professional Reading Program, 2) an FY13 launch of a wildland fire leadership campaign titled "Leading with Courage" with an emphasis on Sir Ernest Shackleton's leadership, and 3) increasing our Facebook likes to 1,000 fans by the beginning of FY13. You, the participants of the program will have a say in where we go and how we will do it. You are and will continue to be the hands and feet of the movement and revitalization of the
WFLDP.
Being in the political climate we are in and changing environment where wildland fire seems to thrive reminds me of Sir Ernest Shackleton setting sail with the crew of the Endurance on a great adventure (see our Leaving a Leadership Legacy series on the
WFLDP blog). The journey may be hazardous with a few unwinnable situations; there may be long months of complete darkness, little communication from the outside world, and great change and challenge; but, there will great opportunities and success if together we can weather the storm.
Shackleton's advertisement (something like the image above) ignited the passion in over 5,000 men. We would be overjoyed if we could IGNITE the same passion in every firefighter and support person in the wildland fire service, whatever gender, position, etc., the Spark may be.
If you are ready to be a part of something big, like our
Facebook page, contact your
agency representative, and above all,
spread the word about IGNITE like wildfire!
![“Fortitudine Vincimus” (by endurance we conquer) - Ernest Shackleton [Photo: Gannett Glacier Fire Crew hiking up a hill]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwJQ1C3dvfAMA7uLyp0N7gILqCksjXMY5P6Syvsmjt6x1hk1xChryYk5_8iolbPfeP5UQZZmeclhCHVYNhALiJv7oRlgsSupdqmUnjyw4izeoTCvFB6we1tGUSgLCT4j1w1FLJT_4jqg/s1600/fortitudine_vincimus_Shackleton.png)
