Skip to main content

2019 WOR: Muscle Memory

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.

 

Graphic of a brain lifting a barbell of weights.

What does Muscle Memory mean and what does it mean to us as firefighters?

Muscle memory by definition is “the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement. Typing, for instance, relies heavily on muscle memory"

Without conscious thought….let’s look at the benefit of that best of our abilities at all times on the fireline.  This is an example of a positive implementation of muscle memory. The strength of muscle memory in learning the 10 and 18 is that we are implementing those steps throughout the day without conscious thought and these lessons help us to make better decisions on the fireline.

“Over time, with continual practice, actions as complicated as riding a bike, knitting, or even playing a tune on a musical instrument, can be performed almost automatically and without thought.” – Oxford University Publication

Practice develops muscle memory and this can work to our benefit on the fireline.  While we may not be aware of it, the body is implementing muscle memory continually.  While we are repeating actions, which at first we need to think about to execute correctly, our brain is building shortcuts resulting in our ability to do the action much quicker and with less conscious thought. Actions that we train to do, practice repeatedly and implement on the job, become second nature to us. The other benefit of this muscle memory is that once we have it, we can be thinking about other things…like the gorilla (remember that video from a couple of days ago?) for a moment.

The RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher requires each firefighter to practice deploying their fire shelter.  The Jolly Mountain Incident within an Incident Training Rapid Lesson Sharing (RLS) concluded that "Training builds great muscle memory that will be invaluable to performance during periods of high stress" such as the stress we will feel if we are ever in a deployment situation.

Consider the action involved with the E in LCES. Just identifying escape routes isn’t enough, it’s walking that escape route that develops muscle memory making it routine.  Taken from the GAP Fire Tree Strike RLS- "Always have a PLANNED escape route. Make a physical connection to it by walking it out. Put some muscle memory into your efforts.” This practice could be the difference in reaction time and outcomes.

Preventing Complacency
  • ANALYZE small mistakes, not just the serious ones.
  • Think you might be too complacent?
    TRY placing visual reminders in your line of vision such as a photo of a loved one.
  • DISCUSS the hazards of your job with your crewmembers.
  • SHADOW someone in a different job than you as they identify hazards.
  • LOOK for signs of complacency in other people. This will increase your awareness of it.

Can muscle memory result in complacency? An article from the Lessons Learned Center on Complacency discusses how the routine of doing something every day can create blinders.  Muscle memory built from the repetitive action such as doing the same drills several times a week can cause us to miss the subtle changes that can escalate into significant events.   So how do we change our muscle memory? Active effort is required.  The guide on the left “Preventing Complacency” provides some suggestions for how to adjust what we see, how to actively change our muscle memory, and function with more awareness. Exercise your brain daily, alert yourself to the hazards that may have become invisible, and come off the line safely and successfully each shift.

How do you and your crews develop muscle memory? Has muscle memory ever “failed” you at a critical point? What are some examples of negative muscle memory?

 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.

 

6MFS Suggestion Form


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources