10 Rules for Putting Out Fires

In 1957, a Forest Service task force developed the "10 Standard Fire Orders" -- a set of fire-fighting principles that remain an essential part of a smoke jumper's training regimen. It's not hard to see the relevance of those principles (summarized below) to "fighting fires" in the new world of work. (with Implications for Change Management)

From Fast Company magazine: Issue 33 April 2000, Page 290
By: Anna Muoio
Blue Additions – Implications added for Change Management by John Sommer

1. Fight fire aggressively, but provide for safety first.
Address issues quickly, expedite decisions. Understand and manage risks involved then move forward quickly.

2. Initiate actions according to current and expected fire behavior.
Have change management awareness and understanding. Pay attention to timing and preparedness to accept change. Anticipate problems, be proactive in rather than reactive.

3. Recognize current weather conditions and obtain forecasts.
Understand the culture, history and current situation. Understand the forces at work; current and expected. Understand the vision and how to construct bridge(s) to get there.

4. Ensure that instructions are given and that they are understood.
Maintain effective, consistent, appropriate and frequent communication. Solicit feedback and use it.

5. Obtain current information on the status of fires.
Have formal and informal project status reporting using various methods and communicated at multiple levels.

6. Remain in communication with crew members, your supervisor, and adjoining forces.
Maintain two way open communication lines. Institute an effective and efficient issue management process.

7. Determine safety zones and escape routes.
Perform a quality risk assessment and contingency planning.

8. Establish lookouts in potentially hazardous situations.
Utilize field team members and other stakeholders to warn of discontent, destructive changes, issues, attitudes. Assess the temperature of the organization.

9. Retain control at all times.
Be vigilant, monitor. Handle crisis with equanimity.

10. Stay alert, keep calm, think clearly, and act decisively.
No further elaboration needed.

"Watch Out" Situations

Soon after the creation of the "10 Standard Fire Orders," Forest Service training specialists identified "18 Watch Out Situations" -- conditions that create dangers for smoke jumpers. Here, adapted from that list, are some of those situations.

1. The fire is not scouted or sized up.
Don’t lose touch with the organization, culture, objectives or vision. If the team is isolated and does not interact, danger is surely on the horizon.

2. Safety zones and escape routes have not been identified.
Poor or no risk management and contingency planning.

3. Firefighters are uninformed about strategy, tactics, and hazards.
Poor project planning, explanation of vision, rationale and analysis of risks, change or issues. Communication breakdown is a root cause.

4. Instructions and assignments are unclear.
Unclear, confusing, inconsistent communication for intended audience.

5. There is no communication link between crew members and their supervisors.
Lack of vertical communication in the organization. Both ways.

6. Firefighters cannot see the main fire and are not in contact with anyone who can see it.
Isolated project team, out of touch with current business issues, not listening to or soliciting feedback from stakeholders. Buried in details; not looking at end goal/vision.

7. Rough terrain or dangerous fuel makes it difficult for firefighters to escape to safety zones.
Poor management support and too many constraints or unresolved obstacles to the project.

8. A firefighter feels like taking a nap near the fire line.
Over worked, over stressed project team with no relief in site. Unrealistic expectations.

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