Curious about NERIS? We have answers.
November 26, 2024 by Joel Mampilly, EMT
For the first time in more than 50 years, reporting requirements are changing for the U.S. fire service industry.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is leading efforts to move away from the long-standing National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).
By January 2026, this migration from NFIRS to NERIS is expected to be complete.
Why is the USFA Moving from NFIRS to NERIS?
According to the USFA, NERIS was created to enhance national fire data and prioritize the safety of firefighters and the public. By moving away from the antiquated NFIRS system and using the NERIS platform, fire and EMS departments will experience the following:
- Enhanced data quality
- Prompt data availability
- Comprehensive data coverage
- Efficiency in resources
- Maximized utilization
So, what does NERIS mean for fire departments? How is it better than NFIRS?
With NERIS as the leading resource for comprehensive data and advanced analysis on fire-related issues in the U.S., departments can expect the following benefits:
- NERIS allows for near real-time reporting of incidents, while NFIRS requires departments to send batches of historical incident data.
- As a result, NERIS helps departments better understand their current emergency landscape through access to real-time analytics.
- NERIS allows for selecting multiple options when categorizing incident types, providing departments with the ability to highlight suppression, rescues, medical assistance, and more, while NFIRS requires individual input for each.
- With this capability, fire crews reduce time inputting data as they are equipped with a tool that streamlines processes.
- NERIS allows departments to submit data from dispatch if they do not have a records management system, which allows for greater flexibility, especially in departments with budget constraints.
Departments will have access to NFIRS data while making the transition, and all data will remain operational. Once live on NERIS, NFIRS data will be archived and made publicly available.
How will reporting evolve?
Like most technological platforms, advancements are always happening. With NERIS being developed on a modern software development architecture, industry experts anticipate reporting to evolve as more data becomes available.
Here are some ways NERIS will enhance measurable outcomes from incidents:
- NERIS is developed on new, streamlined incident data schemas that prioritize and standardize data captured by local fire departments. These data schemas align with data interoperability and exchange standards for a more streamlined and enhanced experience.
- Duplicate data entry and data entry burdens from first responders are reduced with NERIS’ ability to pull relevant data from third-party systems, including CAD, RMS, and GIS.
- Users will experience faster analysis, advanced analytics, and efficient resource allocation, which will help improve responses, understand fire threats and emergencies, and mitigate risks.
Want to know more about NERIS and how it will impact your fire department? Register for this webinar and get the details you need to meet the Jan. 1, 2026 deadline.