Are We There Yet?

(Photo: Wikimedia)

This is the retracted version of "Are We There Yet?" The original article could have been taken as bashing Millennials and rightly so. That was truly not the intent, and for that I apologize. 

You have the car packed and the family strapped into their seats. This is going to be the best vacation ever. The singing, car games, and DVD have worked well for about an hour; and then from the back seat you hear, "Are we there yet?" You still have miles and miles to go and the "littles" are done. They want to be at the destination NOW.

IGNITE: Getting Great Results

If you want great results, you need good people with great talent and awesome attitudes. – Leadership Promises by John Maxwell

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[Photo credit: Davis Morris]

Day 7: How do all pieces fit together for optimal performance?

Day 7: How do all pieces fit together for optimal performance? 

Week of Remembrance June 30-July 6 

The past 6 days have been spent exploring core aspects of optimal human performance. As fire professionals we are often asked to perform optimally in a changing, dynamic environment. Like a buffet is full of different food options to fill your plate – you may like some things and dislike others, but creating a balanced plate with foods from all major food groups will lead to the best option for fueling the body. The same is true for human performance. By building and preparing yourself physically and psychologically each day to face the demands of the environment, or that “mountain to climb” you will be more able to operate soundly, effectively, and safely.

Day 6: Human Limitations

Day 6: Human Limitations 

Week of Remembrance June 30-July 6

Understanding our operational environment is critical to effective decision making that leads to safe mission accomplishment. Situation awareness is an ongoing process of gathering information by observation and communication with others. This process must be ongoing because our environment is constantly changing. Every second our brains are bombarded with about 11 million bits of information yet it can only process about 40. Understanding this human limitation means we must make the most out of every observation and ensure we communicate what we are seeing with those around us.

Day 5: Leadership and Human Performance

Day 5: Leadership and Human Performance 

Week of Remembrance June 30-July 6

Recent research in the wildland fire community has shown that the most highly regarded, highest performing, and safest leaders are those who are more mindful of themselves, others, and the environment (Waldron & Ebbeck, 2015). Leadership begins by knowing and leading oneself, followed by leading others. Like a compass guiding the direction through changing terrain, knowing and being mindful of one’s deepest motives and desires (values) as a leader can serve as an internal guide to leading the self and others through the easiest and most difficult situations. By exploring, identifying and being aware (or mindful) of your deepest motives for how you want to behave and act as a person and leader on an ongoing basis will enable you to lead yourself and others most effectively.

Day 1: Introduction to Human Performance

Day 1: Introduction to Human Performance 

Week of Remembrance June 30-July 6 

This Week of Remembrance is dedicated to all those who have fallen in the line of duty and has been intended to serve as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the health, wellness and safety of wildland firefighters. 

Human Performance is a complex and multi-faceted process. It consists of physical, psychological, and environmental factors, and each of these is vital for us as firefighters to complete our missions safely and effectively.