The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is a modernization and simplification of the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for the United States Fire Administration (USFA).
NFIRS (the National Fire Incident Reporting System) originated in the 1970s and was due an overhaul to respond to modern needs. NERIS is both a modernization and simplification, where less is required of the end firefighter, of NFIRS, plus it includes GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and other modern technology.
Check back here, we’ll be following its progress as it rolls out some in 2024, and more in 2025.
NERIS reporting is similar to NFIRS reporting (capturing information about fire incidents) that requires fewer fields, modules and no numbered codes. Further, incident information is taken from Dispatch (CAD) when possible, saving the repeated data entry by firefighters.
NERIS does contain roughly the same modules as NFIRS, but is definitely a refinement and simplification. It is focused on what is needed today, and integrates with other emergency reporting systems. Check out the Specification.
While the NERIS specification is currently being developed, check out a beta draft of the NERIS specification. At a high level the specification is simplified NFIRS with some significant modernization, plus some GIS additions.
We are posting articles on NERIS for Volunteer Fire Departments here at Responserack.
If you want to go in depth, you can find more information on NERIS at both here USFA website, and on the FRSI website.