Things You Should Do

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center wants you to learn. We collect lessons all year. We put the lessons in Two More Chains. You read Two More Chains. Then what?

Don’t Lose the Dirt

I like the folks who are intentionally avoiding a traditional career arc and cobbling together an existence on the edges of societal norms. This element has long been a part of our demographic and I believe their contribution to our culture is more beneficial than we realize.

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.

Stuff You Should Have

You should let the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center prioritize your shopping list. We have the data.

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.

Where is the Learning?

When you read reports, don’t expect the lessons to be spoon-fed to you on paper. That’s not where the learning is. Learning comes from the intentional interaction you engage in after the reading.

You are the Example

Without realizing it, you might already be leading. Eventually you're going to have to deal with the behavior you've modeled.

Be Nice

Our fireline social structure is just a scrambled version of high school. But in this environment the consequences of that behavior are drastically more severe—like your buddy in a casket severe. Communication is essential. Be nice.

Same Team

We often make sense of what happened by investing in the hope that our experience can be helpful to others.