Fireline Leadership (L-380, CA-002-PREV)

Today’s wildland firefighters face the challenge of living up to their strong tradition of public service in an increasingly complex environment. High public expectations are combined with dynamic conditions that are often dangerous and unpredictable. In this environment, initiative and adaptability are critical attributes for successful and safe operations.

Fireline Leadership, a context-specific version of the At the Point of the Spear series, is designed to help first-line leaders develop critical leadership skills for building cohesive, adaptive, resilient wildland fire crews. The leadership and organizational philosophies and techniques introduced in this 36- to 38-hour program have proven effective in building a core of capable leaders in the Wildland Fire Service.

Who benefits from this program?

First-line supervisors of firefighting crews or teams will find Fireline Leadership invaluable for developing their own leadership and communication skills as well as learning the best practices for building, motivating, and maintaining effective teams. Unit-level fire management personnel assigned to oversee fire suppression and prescribed fire resources will also find this program valuable for leading mixed resource groups.

Fireline Leadership has had far-reaching effects on graduates, giving them practical tools and techniques to enhance their ability to understand and interact effectively with people.

Program graduates come away with a direction and plan for strengthening themselves and their organization. Participants learn and practice decision making, communication, and conflict resolution. Participants also learn a vocabulary and conceptual construct for discussing standards, behavior, decision making, and judgment in an objective framework.

Ensuring Effectiveness

Fireline Leadership provides a balanced blending of theory, classroom exercises, and field exercises to weave together the what, why, and how, creating an integrated model for understanding and influencing human behavior.

Instructors are selected from environments in which leadership development is an organizational mandate, and each cadre member has worked for years leading teams in high-risk operations.

NWCG Certification

MCS's Fireline Leadership formed the basis of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) L-380 program specifications, and it fully meets all requirements. MCS is the most successful provider of L-380 and has the most extensive qualification requirements for its training cadre in comparison to other vendors.

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