Indiana Department of Natural Resources Fire Control Headquarters

It all starts with the bosses. Fireline Leadership It all starts with the bosses.

Fireline Leadership Leadership style has been forced to change. Leadership duties have become more personnel oriented. Qualification and certification of Single Resource Boss positions have become easier.

Objectives Identify difficulties in supervising personnel in the fire environment. Discuss techniques and tactics to mitigate supervisory challenges. Encourage a “Prepared” mindset.

It’s a people job… Change from single agency crews to inter-agency crews. Lack of familiarity with firefighters. Lack of individual experience knowledge. Training people whose background you do not know.

It’s a people job… Assess your crew immediately. Determine levels of experience. Identify leaders. Identify rookies. Delegate tasks that build confidence.

It’s a people job… Establish a chain of command from the start. Select squad bosses who can lead by example. Place less experienced firefighters with strong squad bosses. Have the squads functional at point of mobilization.

It’s a people job… Let the squad bosses develop their place in the chain of command. Encourage cohesiveness. Allow the crew to come together as a team. Allow time for relationship building.

Provide Leadership Establish your self as the leader. Enforce chain of command. Maintain span of control. Ensure crew welfare. Communicate. Make time for personal interaction.

Safety and Welfare Ensure adherence to the 10/18. Confirm and reaffirm LCES. Encourage situational awareness.

Hard Times Take appropriate action. Share the load. Identify problems and mitigate them quickly. Take the necessary time to resolve problems. Praise good performance. Share the load. Ensure that squad bosses are doing their job.

Hard Times Take a look at the “Big Picture”. Where does your crew fit into the plan, progress and productivity. What is the state of the other functions in ICS. Fix only what you can fix!

Hard Times Communication becomes key! Give them their space. Let the crew know what needs to be done to improve. Conduct After Action Reviews. Allow time for firefighters to vent. Give them their space.

Key Points to Fireline Leadership Generate enthusiasm among the crew. Use mentors throughout the crew. Allow crew members, especially trainees, to make mistakes. Share the “Big Picture”.

Operational Leadership Take Charge. Motivate. Demonstrate Initiative. Communicate. Supervise.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources Fire Control Headquarters