Tag: Lead by Example Award

Two weeks ago the National Park Service announced that two of their wildland fire personnel received Paul Gleason Lead By Example Awards for 2013 — Chad Fisher, wildland fire safety program manager, and Jim Shultz, wildland fire training program manager.

Today the National Interagency Fire Center distributed a news release stating that two other Lead By Example awards were also issued. Below is the text of the release (we added the photos of Mr. Seilstad and the Palomar Hotshots; photos of Mr. Fisher and Mr. Shultz are in the previous announcement).

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“Lead by Example Award Winners for 2013

Boise, Idaho – The National Wildfire Coordinating Group Leadership Subcommittee announced that Chad Fisher, Dr. Carl Seielstad, Jim Shultz and the Palomar Interagency Hotshot Crew were selected for the 2013 Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award. The recipients were nominated for demonstrating valued leadership traits during or in support of wildland fire operations.

The Lead by Example Award is based on three categories: motivation and vision; mentoring and teamwork; and innovation or initiative. Individuals and groups from federal, state, local and tribal agencies are eligible for the award.

The annual award was created to honor Paul Gleason, a wildland firefighter whose career spanned several decades. Gleason is best known for developing the LCES (Lookout, Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones) concept that became the foundation of wildland firefighter safety. The awards highlight Gleason’s influence on and contribution to wildland fire management, while honoring those who demonstrate the spirit of leadership for which he was known.

Award Recipients for 2013

Chad Fisher, National Park Service, National Interagency Fire Center, was selected for his motivation and vision work with the Dutch Creek mitigations which resulted in a change in firefighter safety regardless of size or complexity. Fisher’s dedication to ensure safety across agency boundaries has resulted in a shift in culture regarding incident-within-an-incident planning.

Dr. Carl Seielstad, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, was selected for his initiative and innovation by establishing the Wildland Fire Program and Prescribed Fire Practicum in partnership with the Nature Conservancy, which provides students with hands-on leadership and prescribed fire experiences. Seielstad’s visionary leadership offers students a unique opportunity while providing a background to become highly effective fire managers.

Jim Shultz, National Park Service, National Interagency Fire Center, was selected for mentoring and teamwork across agency boundaries through programs like the Fire and Aviation Mentoring program and National Interagency Joint Apprentice Committee. Shultz’s leadership skills and calm demeanor also helped ensure that all honor guards worked together during the Granite Mountain Hotshot Memorial Service

The Palomar Interagency Hotshot Crew, Palomar Ranger District/Cleveland National Forest, US Forest Service, was selected for demonstrating initiative and innovation through efforts like their crew website and 2012 “Leadership is Action” video. Palomar Hotshots continue to provide leadership development through non-traditional leadership styles and allow individuals to strive for a higher performance level as a leader.”

The winners of the 2012 Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award have been announced. Below is information from the National Interagency Fire Center.

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“Boise, Idaho – The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Committee announced that Anthony Escobar, John Lauer and Shane Olpin were selected for the 2012 Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.  The recipients were nominated for demonstrating valued leadership traits during or in support of wildland fire operations.

The Lead by Example Award is based on three categories: motivation and vision; mentoring and teamwork; and innovation or initiative. Individuals and groups from federal, state, local and tribal agencies are eligible for the award.

The annual award was created to honor Paul Gleason, a wildland firefighter whose career spanned several decades.  Gleason is best known for developing the LCES (Lookout, Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones) concept that became the foundation of wildland firefighter safety.  The awards highlight Gleason’s influence on and contribution to wildland fire management, while honoring those who demonstrate the spirit of leadership for which he was known.

Award Recipients for 2012

Anthony Escobar, Los Padres National Forest, US Forest Service, was selected for 37 years of service and contributions to the wildland fire service through mentoring and teamwork.  Escobar’s legacy includes the formation and leadership of the Kern Valley Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) for 17 years, a 20-year commitment to the California IHC Steering Committee, authoring documents such as “Support and Concern,” assembling an all-superintendent S-230 cadre for the Apprenticeship Academy, sought after instructor and public speaker, and his vision and leadership of the Bakersfield Fire Innovation Conference.

John Lauer, Tatanka Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC), Black Hills National Forest, USFS, was selected for his accomplishments and demonstration of leadership is action.  Lauer advocated that federal seasonal firefighters be given access to federal health insurance programs, which instigated President Obama’s executive order authority and directed the Office of Personnel Management to issue a rule change.  This accomplishment is consistent with the notion to look out for the well-being of peers and subordinates.

Shane Olpin, Fire Management Officer, Bitterroot National Forest, USFS, was selected for mentoring and engagement of upper management as well as his duties supporting the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program.  Olpin has influenced firefighters over the years through oversight of the L-180 and L-280 courses and incorporating leadership into the Annual Fireline Safety Refresher. Olpin also provided a new way to experience human factors training and helped change the landscape of all-hazard response through the L-180/280 Train-the-Trainer program.”

(end of NIFC announcement)

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Some of the previous recipients of the award:

• 2011: Travis Dotson, Tony Doty, Patrick Lookabaugh, and Ralph Thomas.
  
• 2010: Black Hills National Forest’s North Zone Fire Management, and Bud Moore (there may have also been other recipients for 2010)
• 2009: Kathy Komatz

This year one group and three individuals received “Paul Gleason Lead by Example” awards. We will be posting information in the coming days about the three individuals, but congratulations to Black Hills National Forest’s North Zone Fire Management for earning a group award. The Black Hills NF is in South Dakota and Wyoming.

Back Row L-R: (Brian Rafferty, Dennis Mauch, Ben Dempsey, Shane Phillips, Tim Haas, Chris Zoller, Brandon Selk, Robert Cota, Scott Wheeler, Adam Ziegler, Bryan Karchut, Don Doten, Angela Mendoza, Andrew Hostad, Rochelle Plocek, Craig Bobzien (Forest Supervisor), Steve Kozel (Bearlodge District Ranger)

Front Row L-R: Rhonda O’Byrne (Northern Hills District Ranger), Trevor Papenfuss, Jeff Gies, Chris Huhnerkoch, Andrew Larive, Clint Sell, John Snyder, Chip Harris, Randy Skelton.

Here is the text of a letter that the NWCG Operations and Workforce Development Committee, Leadership Subcommittee, sent on February 1, 2011 to each individual in the group:

Congratulations, your team has been selected as one of the recipients for the 2010 Paul Gleason Lead by Example award. This year three individuals and one group from across the wildland fire service have been chosen to receive this national award.

The award was created by the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee to remember Paul Gleason’s contributions to the wildland fire service. During a career that spanned five decades, Paul was a dedicated student of fire, a teacher of fire, and a leader of firefighters. The intent of this award is to recognize individuals or groups who exhibit this same spirit and who exemplify the wildland fire leadership values and principles. Your work in support of the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program has been a demonstration of mentoring and teamwork.

North Zone Fire Management employees have risen to the challenge of building leadership—not only within their own organization but also throughout the wildland fire service as a whole. In 2010, the crew came together to create 10 lesson plans for the Leadership in Cinema program that showcase leadership lessons found in the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers. Members of the crew were also instrumental in revitalizing the briefing and intent tool in the Leadership Toolbox. Thinking beyond themselves, the crew attempted to raise more than $10,000 for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation through various fundraisers. North Zone Fire’s efforts through mentoring, teamwork, and giving of selves are examples of duty, respect, and integrity.

Again, congratulations on your accomplishments. You have provided an example for others to follow.

Sincerely,

Jim Cook, Chairman

NWCG Leadership Committee

Congratulations to North Zone Fire Management!