Jason Kuiken, deputy team leader for the United States Forest Service’s Wildfire Risk Reduction Infrastructure Team, was awarded the prestigious Paul Gleason Leadership by Example Award June 7 at the Tuolumne County Fairgrounds. On a temporary duty assignment with the Wildfire Risk Reduction Infrastructure Team, Kuiken will return in October as the Stanislaus National Forest supervisor.

“Being recognized with an award in Gleason’s honor is completely humbling,” Kuiken said. “There are many great people that have dedicated their lives to working in his likeness. Paul Gleason was one of the best leaders we've had. His dedicated to helping new and experienced firefighters perform better with more risk informed decision making skills is something that we can all aspire to emulate.

Gleason was a lifelong leader in the wildfire field. He mentored firefighters, taught wildland fire and was responsible for developing the LCES (lookouts, communications, escape routes and safety zones) concept that became the foundation of firefighter safety. The annual award presented by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group began in 2003, following Gleason’s death from cancer, recognizing groups or individuals whose work and efforts best exemplified the legacy of Gleason.

"I suppose I would want my legacy to be that firefighters begin to realize the importance of being a student of fire and that I was able to help make that happen," Gleason shared during an interview with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group in 2003.

Kuiken has proven to be a student of fire. He is willing and eager to share the lessons he has learned with others while continuing to learn himself. He is tireless in his efforts to connect with others and fosters ways to bring their experience out into the broader community. He has made a valiant effort to close the gap between line officers and wildland fire managers, endeavoring to enrich the understanding of both communities.

“My aim in the work I do is to provide firefighters, IMTs and agency administrators with the best information given the changing conditions we are experiencing,” Kuiken shared. “Through spending time with families of our fallen firefighters, my drive is to help the agency ensure that more brave women and men are able to return safely to their families.”