WOR 2022 - Day 6

“Stepping on the ground of the South Canyon Fire was without a doubt the most beneficial training and learning experience of my fire career. It is our responsibility to study and learn the lessons from this event.” Staff Ride Participant

[Photo: Mark Skudlarek/BLM]

WOR 2022 - Day 4

It is clear that fire will continue to be an important resource-management tool. But it's a tool as delicate to manipulate as a surgeon's scalpel. Fire is also a ruthless and unpredictable teacher, as the lessons of Mack Lake demonstrate. We can only hope that future lessons will be learned in less-destructive ways, and will help us understand better how we can use a capricious natural phenomenon to our best advantage - and that of our planet. - Louis Borie, American Forest writer, July 1981

Remembering James Lee Swidersky

[Photo: Kari Greer/USFS]
#WOR2022, #honorthroughlearning, #neverforget

WOR 2022 - Day 3

 

I had a profound experience on the staff rides with Redmond. Putting myself in the shoes of the men and women who lost their lives brought an elevated level of humanity to the tragedies they experienced. For me, this highlighted the way human factors in fire can impact us. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to pay respect, think critically and learn. - Staff Ride Participant

IGNITE: Put Your People First

 

“Put your people first - today, tomorrow, forever.” – Jim Karels

[Photo: Justin Vernon/USFS] 

WOR 2022 - Day 2

 “As a firefighter you should never stop learning as one day your life may depend on it.” – Jim Karels NASF Fire Director and lead investigator on the Yarnell Hill Fire Serious Accident Investigation team

[Photo: Zephyr Fire Crew]

Week of Remembrance 2022 - Day 7

 

“We as firefighters can most honor them by recognizing and cherishing the lessons they have imparted to us at the greatest price.” - Paul Gleason

[Photo: Kyle Miller/Wyoming IHC]

Challenge #27 - 2021 WFLDP Campaign

 

Challenge #27: Leaders take care of their people and their families.

Honoring our fallen during #WOR2021 may have exposed the residue left from years of pain.

• Check in with one another and the families of those lost in the line of duty.
• Seek peer support and/or professional assistance.
• Listen to Mike West talk about his journey.

#WOR2021 #honorthroughlearning #WeekOfRemembrance

Week of Remembrance 2021 - Day 7

Preparing for Our Future 

Today is the twenty-seventh anniversary of a single shift on the South Canyon Fire that took the lives of 14 firefighters. We use this solemn day to remember that instance as we culminate a week of reflection to honor all our sisters and brothers who have perished in the line of duty. We honor them through learning.

Week of Remembrance 2021 - Day 6

 

Thirtymile Fire – The Days After

Following release from the scene and check-ups at the hospital, everyone involved were told to meet at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base (a facility able to house the large group) where an official debrief was conducted. While well intended, the way this debrief was conducted wasn’t well received by many of the participants.

Week of Remembrance 2021 - Day 5

Thirtymile Fire – July 10th, After the Shelter Deployment

Watch Learning from the Thirtymile Fire video from 1:19:00 minutes to the end.



When it appeared safe, and there was communication with air attack, everyone from the road exited their shelters. After 15 minutes, moving to the sandbar they joined the crew member in the river. One of the squad bosses radioed for help, saying they were not in a condition to self-extricate. The Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) that had already organized for a rescue operation had to make two attempts to access the entrapment site due to heat and fallen snags. Upon arrival, the IHC Superintendent assumed control of the incident until local law enforcement arrived.

Week of Remembrance 2021 - Day 4

Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent)

Leaders of people accept responsibility, not only for their own actions, but for those of their team. Leaders of people act to develop credibility as leaders: placing the team ahead of themselves, demonstrating trustworthiness, mastering essential technical skills, and instilling the values of the organization in their teams.

Week of Remembrance 2021 - Day 3

Leadership Level 2 - New Leader (Convey Intent)


A New Leader begins transitioning from a follower to a leader of small groups to achieve a common goal. They begin to implement team cohesion, accept responsibility for self and team, and apply effective communications.

Challenge #26 - 2021 WFLDP Campaign

Challenge #26: Leaders honor their fallen by learning.

• In your journal, reflect upon the first three days of #WOR2021.
• Create a tribute page to our fallen
• Draw pictures or words displaying your emotions/lessons learned or cut out/write findings from reports.
• Refer to this page throughout the year.

#WOR2921 #WeekOfRemembrance #2021WFLDPCampaign #fireleadership #honorthroughlearning

WOR 2021 - Day 2

Leadership Level 1, Follower (Provide Action)

Followers have several responsibilities: to become competent in basic job skills, take initiative, learn from others, ask questions, and develop communication skills.

IGNITE: The Power of Social Connectedness

“Social connectedness is one of the strongest protective factors against stress reactions and is linked to emotional well-being and recovery following trauma and adversity.” - Dr. Patricia Watson

[Photo: Shane Olpin/USFS, Dolin Fire 2020]

Week of Remembrance 2021 - June 30

 

June 30, 2021 – Day 1

Learning from our History

Today is the eighth anniversary of a single shift on the Yarnell Hill Fire that took the lives of 19 firefighters. We use this solemn day to remember that instance and begin a week of reflection to honor all our sisters and brothers who have perished in the line of duty. We honor through learning.

Each day of the Week of Remembrance builds upon the previous day. We encourage you to give this Week of Remembrance the time and attention it deserves, and that will likely take more than 6 minutes each day. It’s worth it!

IGNITE: They Live in Our Souls

 

“We do not have to rely on memories to recapture the spirit of those we have loved and lost ― they live within our souls in some perfect sanctuary which even death cannot destroy.” ♦ Nancy "Nan" Witcomb, Poet ♦


[Photo of Clay Whitted, Granite Mountain IHC, by Kari Greer]

2019 WOR Day 7: South Canyon 25 Years Ago Today

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

On July 2, 1994, seven miles west of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, lightning ignited a Bureau of Land Management fire in piñon-pine and juniper on a ridge at the base of Storm King Mountain. The fire, paralleled by two deep canyons, was initially believed to have “little chance” to spread. The past two days, lightning had started 40 new fires on this BLM District. The entire general area, in a one-year drought, was experiencing low humidity and record-high temperatures. Over the next two days, the South Canyon Fire increased in size. Visible from Interstate 70 and nearby residential areas, the public became concerned. Some initial attack resources were assigned.

2019 WOR Day 6: Slide Tray vs Critical Thinking

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

We love the “Slide Tray” analogy, which stems from the model of Recognition Primed Decision making (RPD). It supports our fascination with “experience.” For many of us THE way to be a good firefighter is having lots and lots of experience…because it gives you more “slides” to pull from out on the fireline.

2019 WOR Day 5: Muscle Memory

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

What does Muscle Memory mean and what does it mean to us as firefighters?

Muscle memory by definition is “the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement. Typing, for instance, relies heavily on muscle memory"

Without conscious thought….let’s look at the benefit of that best of our abilities at all times on the fireline. This is an example of a positive implementation of muscle memory. The strength of muscle memory in learning the 10 and 18 is that we are implementing those steps throughout the day without conscious thought and these lessons help us to make better decisions on the fireline.