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Week of Remembrance

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2014 WOR: Towards Better Decisions on the Fireline

Ribbon symbol for WOR next to Wildland Fire Lessons Learned logo.Week of Remembrance June 30-July 6, 2014

It’s not uncommon to find some element of human factors being discussed in a training venue these days. We talk often, on and off the line, about situational awareness, decision making, slides and leadership concepts. This was not always the case; this shift in our culture was inspired by the tragic events of July 6th 1994 and the loss of 14 firefighters on the South Canyon Fire. 

The foundation for this movement towards introspection and the increased emphasis on the individual firefighter was brought about greatly by the Wildland Firefighter Human Factors Workshop in 1995. “The goal of the workshop was not to come up with quick solutions, rather to explore the human issues of wildland firefighting and make recommendations to management for corrective actions that would have lasting effects.”  The findings from the workshop became the single most culturally influential document of the time.

With a focus on the psychological, cultural, and organizational aspects of firefighting, experts introduced new models such as Highly Reliable Organizations (HRO), Recognition Primed Decision Making (RPD), and Crew Resource Management (CRM). These models would become the foundation for the Wildland Fire Leadership curriculum and set in motion a cultural paradigm shift.  The following are excerpts from the CRM adapted for fire:

Decision making —

  • Cross-check information sources
  • Anticipate consequences of decisions
  • Use data to generate alternatives
  • Gather pertinent data before making a decision
  • Evaluate information and assess resources
  • Identify alternatives and contingencies
  • Provide rationale for decision
  • Acknowledge communication
  • Repeat information
  • Reply with a question or comment
  • Use nonverbal communication appropriately

Leadership —

  • Determine tasks to be assigned
  • Establish procedures to monitor and assess the crew
  • Inform the crew members of fire assignment progress
  • Verbalize plans
  • Discuss ways to improve performance
  • Ask for input; discuss problems
  • Tell crew members what to do
  • Reallocate work in a dynamic situation
  • Focus crew attention to task
  • Provide a legitimate avenue for dissent
  • Provide feedback to crew on performance

Adaptability/flexibility —

  • Alter fire plans to meet situation demands
  • Alter behavior to meet situation demands
  • Accept constructive criticism and help
  • Step in and help other crew members
  • Be receptive to others’ ideas

Assertiveness —

  • Advocate a specific course of action
  • State opinions on decisions and procedures even to higher-ranking crew member
  • Ask questions when uncertain
  • Make suggestions
  • Raise questions about procedures

Situational Awareness —

  • Identify problems/potential problems
  • Recognize the need for action
  • Attempt to determine why discrepancies exist with     information before proceeding
  • Provide information in advance
  • Demonstrate ongoing awareness of fire assignment progress
  • Demonstrate awareness of your task performance

Mission Analysis —

  • Define tasks based on fire assignment
  • Structure strategies, tactics, and objectives
  • Identify potential impact of unplanned events on a fire
  • Critique existing plans
  • Devise contingency plans
  • Question/seek information, data, and ideas related to fire plan

Discussion Questions: 

  1. What from the above information can you apply today?
  2. How can you make this information relevant in every operation?​  

References:

Category
Week of Remembrance

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Postion Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page 

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249