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2021 WOR: Leadership Level 3 Leader of People (Develop Intent)

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Leadership Level 3 Leader of People (Develop Intent)

Leaders of people accept responsibility, not only for their own actions, but for those of their team. Leaders of people act to develop credibility as leaders: placing the team ahead of themselves, demonstrating trustworthiness, mastering essential technical skills, and instilling the values of the organization in their teams.

Key elements related to operating at the Leader of People level

  • Develops credibility and reputation to increase one’s personal sphere of influence.
  • Quickly assembles and leads a cohesive team to accomplish mission objectives.
  • Demonstrates direct statements, active listening and messaging, confirmation, and allows effective feedback.
  • Applies an appropriate leadership style (directing, delegating, or participatory) for a given team and situation to develop team members and increase team cohesion.

Who in your group is currently at Leadership Level 3?

Thirtymile Fire – July 10th, Entrapment and Shelter Deployment

Watch Learning from the Thirtymile Fire video from 57:12 to 1:19:00 minutes

With their escape route blocked and with input from air attack, the Crew Boss evaluated locations as they moved up the road, looking for a place to ride out the fire with as much safety as possible. They ultimately selected an area with a large rock scree above the road and a sandbar in the river below the road. Air attack suggested they stay close to the road. Most of the crew remained on the road near the van, while six crew members moved into the rocks above the road.

By 1700 the fire was estimated to be more than 500 acres and moving up the east side of the canyon toward the crew. Around this time, two members of the public showed up from the campground at the end of the road. Fire behavior increased dramatically and at approximately 1724, fire reached the area, and the crew was directed to get their shelters out to protect themselves from ash and falling embers—and soon after, to deploy their shelters on the road. With the roar of the fire in their ears it’s unclear how many heard this direction.

The group of six in the rocks deployed their shelters in a tight cluster 100 feet above the road surrounded by 1 to 3-foot-size boulders. After the first few minutes, one of the people in the rocks, deciding he would have better conditions in the river, exited his shelter, and moved into the river. A second person in the rocks—who didn’t have gloves and could not hold the shelter down—also exited their shelter and got in the van, which had very little fire damage.

Everyone else stayed in their shelters, including the two members of the public who both got into a single shelter with one of the firefighters on the road.

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

Use the events described above and your experience to answer:

  • What is a sphere of influence? How is it built? How does this differ from formal chain of command?
  • What are the challenges of quickly assembling and leading a cohesive team? What strategies have you employed to deal with these challenges?
  • How does a leader decide what style (directing, delegating, participatory) is appropriate? How do you, as a follower, adapt to your leaders’ style?
  • How can a leader encourage their followers to speak up and contribute to the good of the crew even when using a directing leadership style? How does a follower do so when their thoughts or observations contradict their leader?

Action

Today, put learning into practice by conducting a realistic fire shelter drill.

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits