Self-Development Plan

For Wildland Firefighters...a Lifetime of Learning

No matter how long you work in the wildland fire service, being a successful firefighter means being a student of fire. Along your career path you will have many opportunities to learn. A complete leadership development process will include formal training, challenging field experiences, and your own self-directed learning efforts.

Read the Individual Development Plan (IDP) Guide.

Learn about the different levels of leadership and self-study learning opportunities within the Wildland Fire Learning Portal:

Use the table below as a guide for starting your self-development plan worksheet.

Leadership Level	Development Goals
Follower/Aspiring Leader Takes responsibility for personal actions and decisions Becomes competent in basic job skills Takes initiative and learns from others Asks questions and develops their communication skills	Read the Individual Development Plan Guide. Speak with your supervisor about your agency's formal IDP process. Start your Self-Development Plan Worksheet. Become familiar with the Wildland Fire Leadership Values and Principles. Become familiar with Leading in the Wildland Fire Service. Select and read a book from the Professional Reading Program. Attend the L-180 Human Factors course. Lead a small group discussion on a familiar topic such as pump or chainsaw operations or safety session.
New Leader Accepts responsibility, not only for their own actions, but for those of their team Understands organizational structures (ICS and agency) Demonstrates proficiency in job skills as a leader Asks questions in order to learn from others	Review and update your Self-Development Plan Worksheet. Read and discuss Leading in the Wildland Fire Service. Select and read a book from the Professional Reading Program annually. Attend the L-280 Followership to Leadership course. Obtain and review your agency organization chart. Attend next formal course in your ICS function. Do a Crew Cohesion Assessment for your crew. Seek a temporary assignment on a different type of crew. Serve as a unit instructor for a fire training course at your home unit. Research and present to your crew a historic fire, near miss, incident review, etc.
Leader of People Demonstrates expertise in job skills Develops credibility and reputation Develops own ideas Mentors New Leaders	Review and update your Self-Development Plan Worksheet. Read and discuss Leaders We Would Like to Meet. Read at least two books annually from the Professional Reading Program. Attend the L-380 Fireline Leadership course. Attend the next formal course in your primary ICS function. Attend an entry level course in another ICS function. Be the lead instructor for a fire training course at your home unit. Become a proficient facilitator of After Action Reviews.
Leader of Leaders Demonstrates breadth of experience Provides direction in situations with significant consequence Shares ideas for the broader organization	Review and update your Self Development Plan Worksheet. Read and discuss Communicating Intent. Read at least three books annually from the Professional Reading Program. Attend the L-381 Incident Leadership course. Attend formal training in your primary and secondary ICS functions. Write an article for an agency or professional publication. Become a proficient facilitator in Tactical Decision Games.
Leader of Organizations Influences organizational decisions Anticipates and plans for future operations Mentors promising Leaders of Leaders for key roles in the organization	Review and update your Self-Development Plan Worksheet. Read the monthly Wharton Leadership Digest. Read at least four books annually form the Professional Reading Program. Attend the L-480 IMT Leadership course. Attend formal training in your primary and secondary ICS functions. Attend a NWCG Committee meeting as a guest. Be a lead instructor at a Geographic Area Training Center. Design and conduct a Staff Ride. Attend L-580 Leadership is Action.

NWCG Latest Announcements

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date: May 28, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

NEW! D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder Course Available Now

Date: May 15, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Dispatch Position and Curriculum Management Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-led) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the National Coordination System Committee, this course introduces the structure and function of expanded dispatch, the qualities of an effective dispatcher, and provides hands-on experience with the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) system.

The D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder course aligns with the competencies and duties outlined in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59, and is designed for individuals with no prior experience who may be called upon to support dispatch operations.

References:

D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-Led)

Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC), Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date: May 8, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date: May 7, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page

Self-Development Plan

For Wildland Firefighters...a Lifetime of Learning

Follower/Aspiring Leader

New Leader

Leader of People

Leader of Leaders

Leader of Organizations

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group