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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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NWCG Latest Announcements

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)