Operational leaders apply advanced leadership strategies, communication techniques, and risk management practices to guide teams and support effective decision-making during complex incident operations.
Course overview
Operational Leadership prepares responders to lead small teams and functional units within incident management environments. Building on Developing Incident Leaders, the course focuses on leadership styles, communication strategies, team performance, and human factors that influence operational effectiveness. Participants strengthen their ability to manage stress, mitigate errors, and apply structured decision-making approaches in dynamic incident settings.
Who is this course for?
- Operations Section personnel supporting tactical incident operations.
- Unit Leaders responsible for supervising functional teams. Incident Management Team members seeking to strengthen operational leadership skills.
- Personnel preparing for expanded leadership roles during complex incidents.
Course objectives
- Explain leadership styles appropriate for operational incident environments.
- Apply communication strategies that support effective coordination and team performance.
- Identify techniques for building and sustaining team cohesion.
- Apply structured problem-solving methods during incident operations.
- Describe risk management principles used in operational leadership roles.
- Identify human performance factors that contribute to operational errors.
- Apply strategies for detecting and mitigating errors during incident response.
- Describe stress management techniques that support effective leadership performance.
Delivery format
Activities may include instructor-led training supported by facilitated discussion, leadership scenario exercises, team-based problem-solving activities, human performance case studies, and asynchronous learning components.
Duration
4–5 days (32–40 hours)
Recommended prerequisites
Successful completion of ICS-300
Completion of position-specific ICS training
Successful completion of Developing Incident Leaders (or equivalent L-280-level leadership training)
Comparable course(s)
NWCG L-380
Next Steps
Request Course Information on our Contact Page