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2020 WOR: Honor Through Learning

 

“We as firefighters can most honor them by recognizing and cherishing the lessons they have imparted to us at the greatest price.” – Paul Gleason

The Week of Remembrance is a somber time for all of us. Spending an entire week discussing loss should cause even the proudest among us to reflect. What we do with that reflection is how we honor those memories.

This is our history. Learn from it today.  Use it tomorrow.

Today we mark the anniversary of the South Canyon Fire and through learning we honor those lost on the fireline that day. Anniversaries of such events provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our mission and seek improvement. Reflecting on the pieces written by the authors for this Week of Remembrance, it becomes clear how tightly entwined learning and tragedy are. As a result of these tragedies, we have learned countless lessons that are passed to us through our leaders, our teachers, our mentors, and our conversations with each other.

“We honor and remember through learning.” – Brit Rosso

ACTION: We encourage all fireline personnel, incident management, fire support staff, and program management to take a moment of remembrance, when/if appropriate, to reflect on, and discuss lessons we learned from this Week of Remembrance, and how we will apply those lessons.

In memory of the firefighters mentioned during this Week of Remembrance and to all whose ultimate sacrifice has allowed us to learn…Never Forgotten.

 

Kathi Beck
Tamera Bickett
Scott Blecha
Levi Brinkley
Douglas Dunbar
Terri Hagen
Bonnie Holtby
Rob Johnson
Jon Kelso
Don Mackey
Roger Roth
Jim Thrash
Robert Browning, Jr.
Richard Tyler
Andrew Ashcraft
Anthony Rose
Christopher MacKenzie
Clayton Whitted

Photo of the Wildland Firefighter Monument at the National Interagency Fire Center, Boise ID.

Wildland Firefighter Monument, National Interagency Fire Center, Boise ID.

Dustin Deford
Eric Marsh
Garret Zuppiger
Grant McKee
Jesse Steed
Joe Thurston
John Percin
Kevin Woyjeck
Robert Caldwell
Scott Norris
Sean Misner
Travis Carter
Travis Turbyfill
Wade Parker
William Warneke
Daniel Holmes
Brian Hughes
Andy Palmer

 

 

 

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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.

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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.

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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 

Coming Soon! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 9, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

On June 8, 1981, the Ransom Road Fire swept across Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, marking a defining moment in wildland fire management. This event led directly to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's professional fire program.

Later this month, NWCG will release a compelling video that brings the Ransom Road Fire to life through firsthand accounts, official reports, and animated maps. Rob Lee, second on site during the deployment, shares his powerful recollections of that day. 

This video will be going live later this month in NWCG's RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Catalogue.

References:

WFSTAR Catalogue 

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center