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Week of Remembrance

2016 WOR: Human Limitations

Ribbon symbol for survivor next to the Wildland Fire Leadership logoWeek of Remembrance June 30-July 6, 2016

Understanding our operational environment is critical to effective decision making that leads to safe mission accomplishment.  Situation awareness is an ongoing process of gathering information by observation and communication with others.  This process must be ongoing because our environment is constantly changing.  Every second our brains are bombarded with about 11 million bits of information yet it can only process about 40.  Understanding this human limitation means we must make the most out of every observation and ensure we communicate what we are seeing with those around us. 

 

While our situation awareness can never be perfect we can train ourselves to be better observers of our environment and communicators of our observations.

  • Beware of attention traps – When was the last time you picked your head up and looked around?  Have you been focused on the task at hand?  Ask yourself what changes you might have missed?  Take 5 at 1400!  Make this part of your day.
     
  • Photo of a compartment with various supplies.Train your mind and body every day – Simple exercises can help you develop your observation skills.  An example of this is called a Keep In Mind (KIM) game.  Study the compartment to the right for 60 seconds then turn this over and try to write down as many of the items in the picture as possible.  How did you do?  Before your next PT session open up a compartment on the engine or crew buggy.  Look at the contents for 60 seconds and try to remember as many of the individual items as possible (no you can’t take a picture with your phone) in as much detail as possible.  After PT write down as many of the items as you can remember.  Once you get good at that you can make it harder by removing an item that should have been in the compartment and seeing if your fellow crewmembers notice what’s missing.
     
  • Communicate like a master – Communication is like any other skill…it requires practice!  Gather a collection of 5 pictures of wildland fires.  Have one crewmember choose and study one for 60 seconds without the rest of the crew looking.  Their task is to then go into another room and via radio describe the picture in enough detail for the rest of the crew to identify the right picture.  Make it harder by choosing pictures that are similar but different in subtle ways.

    graphic of mountains with mile markers of physical capacity in various locations.

The topics for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been drawn from the Human Performance Optimization course taught as a part of the USFS Apprentice Academy in cooperation with the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) and is rooted in the desire to prepare wildland fire personnel to optimally manage themselves and others at any given time. Review and resources have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, NIFC External Affairs, the Wildland Fire annual refresher group, and the Wildland Fire Leadership Subcommittee.

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Week of Remembrance

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee 

Coming Soon! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 9, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

On June 8, 1981, the Ransom Road Fire swept across Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, marking a defining moment in wildland fire management. This event led directly to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's professional fire program.

Later this month, NWCG will release a compelling video that brings the Ransom Road Fire to life through firsthand accounts, official reports, and animated maps. Rob Lee, second on site during the deployment, shares his powerful recollections of that day. 

This video will be going live later this month in NWCG's RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Catalogue.

References:

WFSTAR Catalogue 

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal