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Experience and Wisdom

 

A Special Edition from Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

A purple ribbon symbolizing remembrance of those who have passed away.

Understanding the difference between Experience and Wisdom

“Everyone has experience. Wisdom comes from reflection, admitting and owning mistakes, forgiving yourself, learning and stepping back up to the plate for another swing.”

What Does It Mean to be a Quiet Professional? by Rob Shaul.


Every fire, every shift, every season, we gain experience.

What can you do individually to turn your experience into wisdom?

What can your crew do to turn collective experience into group wisdom?

Consider these tools in your discussion:

Experience is good, but it is not wisdom. Experience must be converted into wisdom.

Reflect on a recent experience, a shift, an assignment, or a season. What actions will you take to transform that experience into wisdom?

ACTION:

Use these prompts for group discussion:

  • How can experience end up being a bad thing?
  • What is the difference between experience, wisdom, and luck?
  • How does your crew pass on wisdom?
  • What can you or your crew do to turn experience into wisdom?
  • What can prevent you and your crew from turning experience into wisdom?

 

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Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

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Date: March 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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The 2025 Core Component Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2024 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2025 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2025 Core Component Module Package

2024 Fire Year in Review Module

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Date: March 12, 2025
Contact: Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee

The NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 provides mitigation practitioners at all experience levels with recommendations on the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish mitigation work in communities at risk to wildfire damage or destruction. The content in this guide was written in coordination with the NWCG Standards for Mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface, PMS 052.

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NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 

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Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430