Knowing the kind of firefighter and leader I was at that time, and who I strive to be now, what I believe most strongly is that I struggled, and still struggle, to initiate and sustain dialogue.
Fire Culture
Perfecting the Art of Leadership and Learning
“What I couldn't change as a hotshot superintendent, I tried to influence as an FMO. And then, when I reached the limits of an FMO, I knew that I had to think bigger and about where I could have more influence. So, I went to WFAP with 450 students a year. I could directly influence future generations of leaders, managers, and FMOs . . .”
A Fire Manager with a Unique Perspective on Dispatch
I believe Dispatchers are critical to the success of the fire management organization,” Jeff says. “And yet they are often overlooked and underappreciated. Out of sight; out of mind.
Not Knowing
We don’t know how to do everything, and surprises will occur. Both in the moment and afterward, not knowing is an opportunity.
The Conditions We Create
If we as a workforce don’t consciously identify and exploit opportunities for learning as part of everyday work, we are failing to foster the constant growth required to navigate the dynamic environment in which we operate
Reflections and Insights on Opportunities for Learning in the Wildland Fire Service
I think that there are always ‘lessons’ all around us. We just have to be open and receptive to them . . . It’s all about the people, not the process . . . If we’re open minded, the learning opportunities are always there.
The Likelihood of Learning from Incidents
The likelihood of a lesson influencing our behavior is greatly increased by how personal the source of the lesson is. We strive to increase the likelihood of learning for those farther removed through personalizing learning experiences.
Clocks and Clouds
How does using the “Clocks and Clouds” analogy theory help us to think, talk about, and learn from past events?
Are You a Student of Fire?
Ultimately, a student of fire is first and foremost a student. A student is always learning. A student never assumes they have it all figured out. A student looks for the lesson. A student is willing to question their own beliefs.
‘Human Topography’ – A Concept We Can All Learn From
It is the nature of our job that we are thrown into high-risk operations with strangers. We have to quickly develop trust (or not), evaluate risk, and depend at least partly on strangers for our safety, which makes ours a strange and unique occupation.