Self-Development Plan

For Wildland Firefighters...a Lifetime of Learning

No matter how long you work in the wildland fire service, being a successful firefighter means being a student of fire. Along your career path you will have many opportunities to learn. A complete leadership development process will include formal training, challenging field experiences, and your own self-directed learning efforts.

Read the Individual Development Plan (IDP) Guide.

Learn about the different levels of leadership and self-study learning opportunities within the Wildland Fire Learning Portal:

Use the table below as a guide for starting your self-development plan worksheet.

Leadership Level	Development Goals
Follower/Aspiring Leader Takes responsibility for personal actions and decisions Becomes competent in basic job skills Takes initiative and learns from others Asks questions and develops their communication skills	Read the Individual Development Plan Guide. Speak with your supervisor about your agency's formal IDP process. Start your Self-Development Plan Worksheet. Become familiar with the Wildland Fire Leadership Values and Principles. Become familiar with Leading in the Wildland Fire Service. Select and read a book from the Professional Reading Program. Attend the L-180 Human Factors course. Lead a small group discussion on a familiar topic such as pump or chainsaw operations or safety session.
New Leader Accepts responsibility, not only for their own actions, but for those of their team Understands organizational structures (ICS and agency) Demonstrates proficiency in job skills as a leader Asks questions in order to learn from others	Review and update your Self-Development Plan Worksheet. Read and discuss Leading in the Wildland Fire Service. Select and read a book from the Professional Reading Program annually. Attend the L-280 Followership to Leadership course. Obtain and review your agency organization chart. Attend next formal course in your ICS function. Do a Crew Cohesion Assessment for your crew. Seek a temporary assignment on a different type of crew. Serve as a unit instructor for a fire training course at your home unit. Research and present to your crew a historic fire, near miss, incident review, etc.
Leader of People Demonstrates expertise in job skills Develops credibility and reputation Develops own ideas Mentors New Leaders	Review and update your Self-Development Plan Worksheet. Read and discuss Leaders We Would Like to Meet. Read at least two books annually from the Professional Reading Program. Attend the L-380 Fireline Leadership course. Attend the next formal course in your primary ICS function. Attend an entry level course in another ICS function. Be the lead instructor for a fire training course at your home unit. Become a proficient facilitator of After Action Reviews.
Leader of Leaders Demonstrates breadth of experience Provides direction in situations with significant consequence Shares ideas for the broader organization	Review and update your Self Development Plan Worksheet. Read and discuss Communicating Intent. Read at least three books annually from the Professional Reading Program. Attend the L-381 Incident Leadership course. Attend formal training in your primary and secondary ICS functions. Write an article for an agency or professional publication. Become a proficient facilitator in Tactical Decision Games.
Leader of Organizations Influences organizational decisions Anticipates and plans for future operations Mentors promising Leaders of Leaders for key roles in the organization	Review and update your Self-Development Plan Worksheet. Read the monthly Wharton Leadership Digest. Read at least four books annually form the Professional Reading Program. Attend the L-480 IMT Leadership course. Attend formal training in your primary and secondary ICS functions. Attend a NWCG Committee meeting as a guest. Be a lead instructor at a Geographic Area Training Center. Design and conduct a Staff Ride. Attend L-580 Leadership is Action.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date: July 24, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date: July 10, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints.
Consider installing a driveline loop.
Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date: July 9, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date: July 8, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee

Self-Development Plan

For Wildland Firefighters...a Lifetime of Learning

Follower/Aspiring Leader

New Leader

Leader of People

Leader of Leaders

Leader of Organizations

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group