As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, time is neutral. It ticks by inexorably whether we are moved to act or not. The challenges we see ahead of us in our organizations, whether our organization is a crew or a fire program or a fire agency, can seem vast like those sky islands of the Arizona desert. It seems unfair by comparison, but the actions of people are almost always familiarly and stiflingly small. And yet that is the scale where we live and most often have the freedom to act.
Fire Culture
Fiddlers Island Road Burnout
Located in the Fiddlers Island dip site was an alligator and her four hatchlings. This mother alligator was starting to lose her fear of humans.
Looking Back–and Ahead–at a Decades-Long Jumping Career
He got his Red Card in 1988. He’s been smokejumping for over 30 years. He’s got many insightful wildfire suppression stories and lessons. It’s obvious that this man loves his work. “I couldn’t see myself being in an office. I don’t think I would be happy that way,” he explains.
I Wish I Knew
If you are a district ranger reading this and are unfamiliar with wildland fire and what it means to participate, that commitment to being on an IMT, I urge you to make the effort to learn from the employees around you. Represent to the non-fire employees a different perspective of sacrifice to the job that non-fire employees may not understand.
What Makes You Matter?
Take a hard look at your relationship with being a firefighter. How much of your identity have you invested?
Not Unique
Many of us are drawn to this work in pursuit of intensity. Our life outside the job is often just a different flavor of intensity (not always in a healthy way). Our emotional struggles aren’t always directly associated with the job. But aspects of our profession complicate our ability to effectively tackle these types of issues—regardless of their origin.
The Realities of Managing Risk
Everyone was affected by Yarnell. In my mind, it was the defining event for my generation of fire. And I think we're still figuring out what that means.
Painful Progress
Growth from the ashes of Yarnell occurred on many fronts in many individual lives. In most cases, preceded by dark days and deep despair. Not everyone made it out of the hopelessness. But as a community, can we claim any sort of cultural catharsis? I submit that we can.
Stuff You Should Have
You should let the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center prioritize your shopping list. We have the data.
Inspiring Others Through Attitude, Energy, and a Love for the Job
“Being able to carry people through their journey and help them grow. That's my jam. If I could come in every day and my job was to empower people and teach them—that's like my dream job.”