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Week of Remembrance

2019 WOR: Change Blindness

June 30-July 6, 2019

This Week of Remembrance is dedicated to all those who have fallen in the line of duty and is intended to serve as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the health, wellness, and safety of wildland firefighters.

Remember yesterday’s discussion of TJ’s rappel gear? When you looked at the harnesses side by side did you think to yourself “how could they miss that?” Well you wouldn’t be alone if you did but let’s put you in the hot seat and see how you do.

Activity

  • Watch the video: Test Your Awareness: Whodunnit?
  • While watching, be on the lookout for changes.
  • Consider every change you see as a hazard, and make them known to the rest of the group.

Time: 1:54

So, how did you do? Did the rest of your crew see the same hazards? Did you make them known to everyone? Collectively how many of the changes (hazards) did you see?

Any one of those changes represents one of the many changes (hazards) that you are exposed to when you enter into a complex and dynamic environment, whether it’s a wildland fire or driving on an interstate or walking in the woods. Every second the human brain is bombarded with information. Most are so trivial the brain automatically filters them out and you aren’t even aware of them. It has to be this way because every second the brain takes in about 10 million bits of information through the eyes and another one million through the other senses.

Guess how many bits of information the brain can process?  You’re good but you’re not that good. Actually only about 40 bits of information. Most of the time the brain is pretty good at recognizing what is a threat, but sometimes, especially when the change (hazard) is as subtle as one of the changes in the video or perhaps a misconfigured O ring…the brain sees what it expects to see, not always what is actually there.

This is called Change Blindness and while there is a lot you can do to reduce its effects, you can never eliminate it completely. You are human.  You are susceptible to it.

So…..applying what we learned in the video to our day-to-day operations…The hazards that you and your crew saw meant that you were able to avoid them. Good job.

What about the changes (hazards) that you missed? Maybe they were consequential or maybe not. What role does luck play in our operations?  Have you ever had a “near miss” like that snag that doesn’t tip over like we thought it would?  What did you learn from it?  Did you share the experience with others? Why do we tend not to share stories like that? 

But what if one of those changes (hazards) that wasn’t noticed DOES get you?  You are TJ.  Look around you.  Those sitting with you doing this exercise just watched you fall.  Very soon your mother or father, your husband or wife, is going to get a call.  The worst call of their lives.

Action:

Take a moment to think about this. What are you going to do differently?
Purple ribbon symbol

How can YOU Honor through Learning?

The topics, review, and resources for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, the NWCG Leadership Committee, and many other field subject matter experts.

 

Category
Week of Remembrance

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
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The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

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 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page