On April 27, the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, announced the first six recipients of the Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Committee under the National Wildfire Coordinating Group created the new annual award in honor of Paul Gleason, a wildland firefighter whose career spanned several decades before his death from cancer in 2003. The award recipients were chosen for demonstrating valued leadership traits during or in support of wildland fire operations, NIFC said.

Gleason is best known for developing the LCES (Lookout, Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones) concept that became the foundation of wildland firefighter safety. Throughout his career, Gleason led and mentored firefighters, studied and taught wildland fire, and worked to improve 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,” according to NIFC. Individuals and groups from federal, state, local and tribal agencies are eligible for the award.

The recipients of the 2003 Gleason Award are:

For motivation and vision: Dave Koch, national fire training officer, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Interagency Fire Center, Boise, Idaho; and Mark Linane, vegetation manage ment officer, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Los Alamos, Calif.

For mentoring and teamwork: Bill Miller, Great Northern Crew superintendent, USDA Forest Service, Aerial Fire Depot, Missoula, Mont.; and Dan Kleinman, division chief, USDA Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest, Lake Isabella, Calif.

For innovation and initiative: Curtis Heaton, regional wildland interface coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Service, Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge Sasabe, Ariz.; and Mike Bland, engine module leader, Bureau of Land Management, Winnemucca Field Office, Winnemucca, Nev.

For more information on the award program, visit www.fireleadership.gov.