Skip to main content

6MFS

6MFS Committee

All 6MFS Topics

6MFS Calendar

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health - First Aid

Leadership

Misc Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

Adaptability/Flexibility During High-Tempo Periods

 

The success of a firefighter’s mission depends upon the crew’s ability to alter behavior and dynamically manage resources to meet situational demands. 

Adaptability/flexibility allows firefighters to alter a course of action based on new information, maintain constructive behavior under pressure and adapt to internal (body) and external (e.g., fire behavior, new assignment and crew experience levels) changes that occur on the fire ground.

What can make a firefighter successful at adapting or flexing?

  • Recognize and acknowledge change.
  • Anticipate problems by utilizing the risk management assessment in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461.
  • Determine if a standard operating procedure (SOP) is appropriate.
  • Interact constructively with others.
  • Maintain the even strain—know those that can’t.

While setting the tone for adaptability/flexibility it is important to establish an open, professional atmosphere that ensures a reporting culture.  Utilizing leader’s intent and the IRPG briefing guide ensure the crew understands the task, project or mission that needs to be accomplished.  The most important tool to utilize while utilizing adaptability/flexibility is good two-way communication.

Discussion Points

  • How would you establish adaptability/flexibility within your station, crew or squad?
  • Discuss a situation or fire behavior scenario where a typical response did not meet the needs and had to adapt or flex to accomplish the mission?
  • When would it be important to become adaptable/flexible during an assignment?

 

Category
Leadership
References
Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program
Leading in the Wildland Fire Service, PMS 494-2


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee.


Follow NWCG on Twitter and Facebook

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

The Next Generation Position Task Book and Incident Position Standards are now available for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF)

Date: July 26, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81 and NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81 are now available.

The Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) is responsible for monitoring operations on an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of incident resources and the public. The new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort.

References:

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81

NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81

Updated NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

The Incident Planning Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277.

The NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc) establishes the standards for collection and retention of records on wildland fires. This July 2024 update will provide incident management teams the most current standards required to maintain incident records and submit them to host units at the close of an incident.

References:

NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

eDoc Box Directory (zip file)

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standard Request for Comment

Date: July 24, 2024
Contact: Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee has released Equipment Bulletin 24-002 NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment. This bulletin outlines the proposed NWCG OHV typing standard, as well as the business need for establishing the standard. Comments on the proposed standard will be accepted through August 15th using the comment form linked below.

References:

ETC-EB-2024-02: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard Comment Form

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 - DRAFT

Date: July 18, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee 

A draft version of the new NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514, is now available. The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on wildland fires. As this is the first edition of these standards, the National Interagency Aviation Committee (NIAC) requests review and input into the 2025 final publication.

Please review and provide feedback by September 1st, 2024 for consideration. Feedback can be provided utilizing the NWCG Publication Review Form.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 - DRAFT

NWCG Publications Review Form