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Week of Remembrance

2024 WOR: Team Dynamics

 Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5  |  Day 6  |  Day 7  |  Letter to Leadership

 

Team Dynamics

The Mendocino Complex had a multitude of resources including two Type 1 Incident Management Teams (IMTs) and over 4,000 people from 34 agencies at the height of the incident. Each one of those groups were in some stage of team development and were expected to collectively work together to accomplish incident objectives. The Incident Command System (ICS) is designed to have a breakdown structure of teams that combine and separate as needed.  For example, each functional area (finance, logistics, operations) that make up the “team” of an IMT can have its own entire team. Even within those teams there are further sub-teams (Operations > Branch 1 > DIV Z > IHC).  The concept of “Teams” as it pertains to wildland fire is nebulous and dynamic. 

“With each team comes a different culture and method of operation – one not better than the other – just different.”
— FLA participant

A healthy team dynamic is critical for developing a common operating picture and having synergy working towards a collective goal. The irony with teams is that they’re made up of unique individuals with different thoughts and beliefs. To capitalize on those unique perspectives the team must dedicate themselves to reflection and continuous assessment to improve team effectiveness. Pre-season coordination meetings, daily After Action Reviews (AARs), pre-operational meetings, planning meetings, and closeouts are just a few examples of tools that help teams to continually evolve and operate at peak performance.

All teams must go through stages of development. The most common model to illustrate this path was developed in the mid-1960s by Bruce W. Tuckman. Each of Tuckman’s stages have their own recognizable emotions, actions, and behaviors; understanding and accepting the unique differences within the stages of team development is essential for continued growth. The phases in Tuckman’s model are rarely static.  Even the highest performing teams can be plunged back into the early stages of team building by factors such as change of task, change of cast, or other external factors.

Many authors have written variations and enhancements to Tuckman's work, but his descriptions of Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Adjourning still provide a useful model for looking at your own team.
 

Discussion Questions:

  • Have you observed the different stages of team development? Discuss what stage your team is at now. 
  • How does your crew, module, team fit into the larger picture of an Incident Management Team? How do you incorporate a team within a team?
  • What contributes to rapid team synergy? What can hinder reaching team synergy?
  • What constructs are built into the ICS system to promote successful team building and teamwork?
     

Resources:

 

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Week of Remembrance

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NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

New! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 16, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

References:

WFSTAR Catalog

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee