South Canyon Staff Ride - Glenwood Springs Colorado

​LOGISTICS:

​Travel:  Recommended travel days on Tuesday and Thursday.

​Lodging:  Any number of hotels in Glenwood Springs CO or alternatively in Grand Junction CO.  We've done this ride from both locations.

Schedule:  Preparation time on Tuesday with icebreaker in the evening.  Staff ride on Wednesday, with integration dinner Wednesday night.  

Group size:  Minimum 8 people per conference group; maximum of 14 people per conference group.  Maximum of 6 groups at a time.  OMNA will provide one retired senior leader either a U.S. Marine or a Firefighter to facilitate learning for each conference group.  As an option, OMNA can also bring some veterans of the 1994 fire to share their remembrances.

Transportation:  Groups provide their own transportation to and from the fireground (usually hotshot buggies or rented 15 passenger vans).  The staff ride itself involves strenuous hiking up and down steep, loose, rocky terrain (about 4 miles altogether).  

Price and payment:  Contact OMNA for scheduling, pricing, and payment options.  

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Remembering those who have gone before, we hike to the West Flank fireline of this tragic 1994 fatality fire.  Along the way, conference group leaders guide participants in their sensing, decision-making, and communications skills.   This staff ride has been used every year since its inception in 2002 by hotshot crews - especially Redding IHC - as well as BLM, Vail, and South Metro FD leaders.

​LEARNING OUTCOMES: 

+ Leaders experience walking - and optionally running - escape routes to undetermined safety zones; sharing in small measure in the experience of the firefighters present at the fire in 1994.

+ Leaders practice their sensing, decision-making, and most importantly their communications skills in building trust and creating conditions for a culture of collaborative preparedness.

+ Leaders realize that even though they say "this will never happen to me" -- it just might.  How do you prepare yourself and your family for such an outcome?