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Week of Remembrance

2025 WOR: Idaho BLM Physical Training Fatality – June 10, 2015

Letter to Leadership |  Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5  |  Day 6  |  Day 7  

 

Incident Summary:

On the morning of Wednesday June 10, 2015, at approximately 0900, Terry Sonner, a Fire Operations Supervisor, collapsed and lost consciousness at the Hammett Guard Station, on the BLM Boise District in Idaho. He had just completed a physical fitness training run and was talking with other crew members when he collapsed. Despite immediate response by crewmembers and administration of advanced cardiac life support by EMS personnel, Terry was pronounced dead at 0947.

A Serious Accident Investigation (SAI) Team and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team were ordered to support the district. The SAI Team reviewed human, environmental, and material factors, but found nothing specific that contributed to his death. Interviews and a review of the autopsy results, medical records, and training records did not reveal any obvious warning signs that may have led to this outcome.

Terry Sonner, age 33, was a husband and father to five young children. A 14-year veteran of the BLM, he spent much of his career in BLM’s Twin Falls, ID, and Elko, NV Districts before moving to the Boise District in 2010. Mr. Sonner had just been promoted to Superintendent on June 1, 2015, a leadership role at the Boise District’s fire facility in Hammett, Idaho.

Discussion:

  • On rare occasions, routine physical training leads to a medical emergency.
    • What is your organization’s response plan for an event like this?
    • How does your crew prepare for responding to medical emergencies?
    • Where is your closest AED when at the station, in the field, and on the road?
  • How do you promote transparency and confidentiality for crewmembers who do have existing medical conditions to share that information?

References:

Category
Week of Remembrance

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal