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2021 WOR: Learning from our History

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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.

 

Today is the eighth anniversary of a single shift on the Yarnell Hill Fire that took the lives of 19 firefighters. We use this solemn day to remember that instance and begin a week of reflection to honor all our sisters and brothers who have perished in the line of duty. We honor through learning.

Each day of the Week of Remembrance builds upon the previous day. We encourage you to give this Week of Remembrance the time and attention it deserves, and that will likely take more than 6 minutes each day. It’s worth it!

In this year’s Week of Remembrance, we acknowledge the twentieth anniversary of the Thirtymile Fire. Lessons learned from the Thirtymile Fire range from the individual and crew level to changes that impacted the entire wildland fire service.

As we review the events leading to the entrapment and shelter deployments at Thirtymile, we will start by considering the first three Wildland Fire Leadership Levels – Follower, New Leader, and Leader of People – to aid our learning. The Leadership Levels illustrate the standard leadership skills and knowledge needed at various levels of the organization. We will then review the events immediately following the entrapment and discuss group dynamics and taking care of ourselves and others after traumatic events.

Let’s begin! Consider how we learn from past incidents and the experiences of others.

A purple ribbon symbolizing remembrance of those who have passed away. Discussion Questions:

Within your crew, team, or group, discuss what a learning organization means to you.

  • How can you best learn from past fire events and the experiences of others?
  • As you gain more experience, how can that change how you view, interpret, and learn from incidents like Thirtymile?
  • How do you contribute to the learning of others?
  • What have you learned from Thirtymile already?

In preparation for the week ahead, take time to:

Additional video content from Learning from the Thirtymile Fire (2018) video is provided daily to support your ongoing discussions this week as we focus on learning from Thirtymile and listen to those who were there tell their stories.

Watch the Thirtymile Fire Case Study video (2012)


Time: 20:29

Watch the Learning from Thirtymile Fire video (2018)

Additional video content from Learning from the Thirtymile Fire video is provided daily to support your ongoing discussions as we focus on learning from Thirtymile and listen tot those who were there tell their story over the course of the next week.


Time: 1:24:56

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

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

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1