Skip to main content

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

 Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5  |  Day 6  |  Day 7

 

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.

 

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

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Fire Center

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) recognizes July 2, 2025, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2025 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG provides leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated interagency wildland fire operations nationwide.

References:

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day

2025 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations—whether in briefing rooms or at tailgates—that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2025 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal