The United States Forest Service (USFS) has managed natural resources for the nation's forests and grasslands for over 100 years ("Fire & Aviation Management," p. 723). Though this agency encompasses a variety of systems, including ecological management, biological research, and the human-nature interface, this paper will focus on wildland fire. Fire is a complex and dynamic entity that presents an element of ‘uncertainty’ (S. E. Page, 2011), which can result in a seemingly controlled situation rapidly developing into wide spread disaster. Thus, serious accidents occur nearly every fire season, resulting in firefighter injuries and/or deaths (Pupulidy & Sutton, 2011). "More than 1000 people have lost their lives fighting wildfire since record-keeping began early in the 20th Century" (Harbour, 2011). The work environment of fire presents a particular challenge to wildland 'ground' firefighters, who predominantly work in a low technology environment, armed only with hand tools, personal protective equipment (helmets, fire shelters, etc.), a radio, their training and experience. Thus, the 'human factor'1 plays a significant role in the perceived success of the mission.