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

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs.

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF).

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

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

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