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2020 WOR: Honor Through Learning

 

“We as firefighters can most honor them by recognizing and cherishing the lessons they have imparted to us at the greatest price.” – Paul Gleason

The Week of Remembrance is a somber time for all of us. Spending an entire week discussing loss should cause even the proudest among us to reflect. What we do with that reflection is how we honor those memories.

This is our history. Learn from it today.  Use it tomorrow.

Today we mark the anniversary of the South Canyon Fire and through learning we honor those lost on the fireline that day. Anniversaries of such events provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our mission and seek improvement. Reflecting on the pieces written by the authors for this Week of Remembrance, it becomes clear how tightly entwined learning and tragedy are. As a result of these tragedies, we have learned countless lessons that are passed to us through our leaders, our teachers, our mentors, and our conversations with each other.

“We honor and remember through learning.” – Brit Rosso

ACTION: We encourage all fireline personnel, incident management, fire support staff, and program management to take a moment of remembrance, when/if appropriate, to reflect on, and discuss lessons we learned from this Week of Remembrance, and how we will apply those lessons.

In memory of the firefighters mentioned during this Week of Remembrance and to all whose ultimate sacrifice has allowed us to learn…Never Forgotten.

 

Kathi Beck
Tamera Bickett
Scott Blecha
Levi Brinkley
Douglas Dunbar
Terri Hagen
Bonnie Holtby
Rob Johnson
Jon Kelso
Don Mackey
Roger Roth
Jim Thrash
Robert Browning, Jr.
Richard Tyler
Andrew Ashcraft
Anthony Rose
Christopher MacKenzie
Clayton Whitted

Photo of the Wildland Firefighter Monument at the National Interagency Fire Center, Boise ID.

Wildland Firefighter Monument, National Interagency Fire Center, Boise ID.

Dustin Deford
Eric Marsh
Garret Zuppiger
Grant McKee
Jesse Steed
Joe Thurston
John Percin
Kevin Woyjeck
Robert Caldwell
Scott Norris
Sean Misner
Travis Carter
Travis Turbyfill
Wade Parker
William Warneke
Daniel Holmes
Brian Hughes
Andy Palmer

 

 

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee

NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Instructor-led)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal