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Destruction Date Calendar

Notice to Users

We are now offering the Destruct Date Calendar in two versions, including a new simplified version purpose-built for incident management records. We are also continuing to provide an all records version, which can be used to calculate disposition dates for any federal records.

Incident Records Calendar

Set at December (12)
Year must be in the format yyyy.
Calculate Date

All Records Calendar

Select a Month
Year must be in the format yyyy.
Enter the number of years the records must be maintained.
Calculate Date

Directions

The IPSC Destruction Date Calendar calculates the disposition date of records.

For incident management records

All incident management records are closed (or "cut off") at the end of the Calendar Year in which the incident occurred.

  • Enter the cut-off or closing year of incident's records in the "Ending Date, Year" box (note:  month is always "12" for December).  Use the form the form yyyy (for example "2016") for year.
  • Choose either permanent or temporary retention from the "Retention Schedule" drop down. This is always 7 years for temporary records (Incident Administrative Files) and 20 years for permanent records (Incident History Files).
  • Click the Calculate Date button to compute the records disposition date. The disposition date is calculated by applying the retention period to the closing date of the records.  The disposition date will always be the first month of the calendar year produced by this calculation.

For the all records calendar

  • Follow the instructions in your agency records schedule to determine the appropriate ending (or "cutoff") month.  For example, many federal records are cut off at the end of the Fiscal Year in which they are closed. 
  • If this is the case, enter September in the “Ending Date, Month” field, and the year the records closed in the “Ending Date, Year” field, using the form YYYY (for example “2016”) for year.
  • Enter the number of years of the retention period for the records specified in your agency's records schedule.
  • Click the Calculate Date button to compute the records disposition date. The disposition date is calculated by applying the retention period to the closing date of the records.  If the records are closed at the end of the Fiscal Year, the disposition date will always be October, the first month of the Fiscal Year produced by this calculation.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee 

Coming Soon! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 9, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

On June 8, 1981, the Ransom Road Fire swept across Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, marking a defining moment in wildland fire management. This event led directly to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's professional fire program.

Later this month, NWCG will release a compelling video that brings the Ransom Road Fire to life through firsthand accounts, official reports, and animated maps. Rob Lee, second on site during the deployment, shares his powerful recollections of that day. 

This video will be going live later this month in NWCG's RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Catalogue.

References:

WFSTAR Catalogue 

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

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Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal