Incident Type - NFIRS

Coding the 'Incident Type' NFIRS 5.0 element
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NFIRS 5.0 Element: ‘Incident Type’

Definition: The incident type specifies (with precision) the category of incident, leading to exactly what additional information (modules, transaction) are required.

Purpose: This critical information identifies the various types of incidents to which the fire department responds and allows the fire department to document the full range of incidents it handles. This information can be used to analyze the frequency of different types of incidents, provide insight on fire and other incident problems, and identify training needs.

Entry: The type of incident reported here is not always the same as the incident type initially dispatched. This element determines which modules will subsequently be completed. Enter the three-digit code and a written description that best describes the type of incident. This entry is generally the type of incident found when emergency personnel arrived at the scene, but if a more serious condition developed after the fire department arrival on the scene, then that incident type should be reported.

Need something else? Here is the complete list of all NFIRS modules and subsequent NFIRS transactions, plus a list of all NFIRS elements.

NFIRS References

Relational Edit Rules for ‘Incident Type’

NFIRS 5.0 relational edit validation rules are provided to ensure NFIRS data is consistent and correct for the fire/reporting concepts that are being modeled. Relational edits determine relationships between multiple fields / elements. These are the rules for ‘Incident Type’.

Rule Group  Overview 
Relational Edit Rule 7 Fire Group Modules.
Relational Edit Rule 8 Fire Control or Extinguishment Actions.
Relational Edit Rule 9 Structure Fires Require Structure Information.
Relational Edit Rule 10 Confined Fires.
Relational Edit Rule 11 Mobile Property Fixed Structure.
Relational Edit Rule 12 Fire Module Optional For Outside Rubbish Fires.
Relational Edit Rule 13 EMS Module Allowed.
Relational Edit Rule 14 Animal Problems/Rescues Actions Allowed.
Relational Edit Rule 15 Malicious or Mischievous Incident Actions Allowed.
Relational Edit Rule 16 Bomb Scare Actions Allowed.
Relational Edit Rule 17 System Malfunction Actions Allowed.
Relational Edit Rule 18 Unintentional Alarm Actions Taken.
Relational Edit Rule 19 Documentation relational edit rule 19.
Relational Edit Rule 20 Special Incident Actions Taken.
Relational Edit Rule 165 Cancelled.
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NFIRS Coding

Here are the NFIRS codes for the ‘Incident Type’ element, including any “other” values in case none of the preselected choices match:

Common Examples of Incident Type

More commonly used values for Incident Type…

Incident Type  Code 
Building Fire 111
Passenger Vehicle Fire 131
Forest, Woods or Wildland Fire 141
Motor Vehicle Accident With Injuries 322
Motor Vehicle Accident With No Injuries. 324
Dispatched & Cancelled En Route 611
No Incident Found On Arrival At Dispatch Address 622

Main Groups within ‘Incident Type’

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All values for Incident Type

Fire Group
Fire Other Group
  • 100 - Fire - Other
Structure Fire Group
  • 110 - Structure Fire - Other (Conversion Only)
  • 111 - Building Fire
  • 112 - Fires In Structure Other Than In A Building
  • 113 - Cooking Fire, Confined To Container
  • 114 - Chimney or Flue Fire, Confined To Chimney or Flue
  • 115 - Incinerator Overload or Malfunction, Fire Confined
  • 116 - Fuel Burner/Boiler Malfunction, Fire Confined
  • 117 - Commercial Compactor Fire, Confined To Rubbish
  • 118 - Trash or Rubbish Fire, Contained
Fire In Mobile Property Used As A Fixed Structure Group
  • 120 - Fire In Mobile Property Used As A Fixed Structure - Other
  • 121 - Fire In Mobile Home Used As Fixed Residence
  • 122 - Fire In Motor Home, Camper, Recreational Vehicle
  • 123 - Fire In Portable Building, Fixed Location
Mobile Property (Vehicle) Fire Group
  • 130 - Mobile Property (Vehicle) Fire - Other
  • 131 - Passenger Vehicle Fire
  • 132 - Road Freight or Transport Vehicle Fire
  • 133 - Rail Vehicle Fire
  • 134 - Water Vehicle Fire
  • 135 - Aircraft Fire
  • 136 - Self-propelled Motor Home or Recreational Vehicle
  • 137 - Camper or Recreational Vehicle (RV) Fire
  • 138 - Off-road Vehicle or Heavy Equipment Fire
Natural Vegetation Fire Group
  • 140 - Natural Vegetation Fire - Other
  • 141 - Forest, Woods or Wildland Fire
  • 142 - Brush or Brush-and-Grass Mixture Fire
  • 143 - Grass Fire
Outside Rubbish Fire Group
  • 150 - Outside Rubbish Fire - Other
  • 151 - Outside Rubbish, Trash or Waste Fire
  • 152 - Garbage Dump or Sanitary Landfill Fire
  • 153 - Construction or Demolition Landfill Fire
  • 154 - Dumpster or Other Outside Trash Receptacle Fire
  • 155 - Outside Stationary Compactor/Compacted Trash Fire
Special Outside Fire Group
  • 160 - Special Outside Fire - Other
  • 161 - Outside Storage Fire
  • 162 - Outside Equipment Fire
  • 163 - Outside Gas or Vapor Combustion Explosion
  • 164 - Outside Mailbox Fire
Cultivated Vegetation, Crop Fire Group
  • 170 - Cultivated Vegetation, Crop Fire - Other
  • 171 - Cultivated Grain or Crop Fire
  • 172 - Cultivated Orchard or Vineyard Fire
  • 173 - Cultivated Trees or Nursery Stock Fire
 
 
Overpressure Rupture, Explosion, Overheat - No Fire Group
Overpressure Rupture, Explosion, Overheat - Other Group
  • 200 - Overpressure Rupture, Explosion, Overheat Other
Overpressure Rupture From Steam (no Ensuing Fire) Group
  • 210 - Overpressure Rupture From Steam - Other
  • 211 - Overpressure Rupture Of Steam Pipe or Pipeline
  • 212 - Overpressure Rupture Of Steam Boiler
  • 213 - Steam Rupture Of Pressure or Process Vessel
Overpressure Rupture From Air or Gas - No Fire Group
  • 220 - Overpressure Rupture From Air or Gas - Other
  • 221 - Overpressure Rupture Of Air or Gas Pipe/Pipeline
  • 222 - Overpressure Rupture Of Boiler From Air or Gas
  • 223 - Air or Gas Rupture Of Pressure or Process Vessel
Overpressure Rupture, Chemical Reaction - No Fire Group
  • 231 - Chemical Reaction Rupture Of Process Vessel
Explosion - No Fire Group
  • 240 - Explosion - No Fire - Other
  • 241 - Munitions or Bomb Explosion - No Fire
  • 242 - Blasting Agent Explosion - No Fire
  • 243 - Fireworks Explosion - No Fire
  • 244 - Dust Explosion - No Fire
Excessive Heat, Scorch Burns With No Ignition Group
  • 251 - Excessive Heat, Scorch Burns With No Ignition
 
 
Rescue & Emergency Medical Service Incident Group
Rescue, Emergency Medical Call (EMS) - Other
  • 300 - Rescue, EMS Incident - Other
Medical Assist Group
  • 311 - Medical Assist, Assist EMS Crew
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Incident
  • 320 - Emergency Medical Service Incident - Other
  • 321 - EMS Call, excluding Vehicle Accident With Injury
  • 322 - Motor Vehicle Accident With Injuries
  • 323 - Motor Vehicle/Pedestrian Accident (MV Ped)
  • 324 - Motor Vehicle Accident With No Injuries.
Lock-in Group
  • 331 - Lock-in note: If locked out use Lock-out (511).
Search For Lost Person Group
  • 340 - Search For Lost Person - Other
  • 341 - Search For Person On Land
  • 342 - Search For Person In Water
  • 343 - Search For Person Underground
Extrication, Rescue Group
  • 350 - Extrication, Rescue - Other
  • 351 - Extrication Of Victim(s) from Building/Structure
  • 352 - Extrication Of Victim(s) from Vehicle
  • 353 - Removal Of Victim(s) from Stalled Elevator
  • 354 - Trench/Below-grade Rescue
  • 355 - Confined Space Rescue
  • 356 - High-angle Rescue
  • 357 - Extrication Of Victim(s) From Machinery
  • 360 - Water & Ice-related Rescue - Other
  • 361 - Swimming/Recreational Water Areas Rescue
  • 362 - Ice Rescue
  • 363 - Swift Water Rescue
  • 364 - Surf Rescue
  • 365 - Watercraft Rescue
Electrical Rescue Group
  • 370 - Electrical Rescue - Other
  • 371 - Electrocution or Potential Electrocution
  • 372 - Trapped By Power Lines
Rescue or EMS Standby Group
  • 381 - Rescue or EMS Standby
 
 
Hazardous Condition - No Fire Group
Flammable Gas or Liquid Condition - Other Group
  • 400 - Hazardous Condition - Other
Combustible/Flammable Spills & Leaks Group
  • 410 - Combustible/Flammable Gas/Liquid Condition - Other
  • 411 - Gasoline or Other Flammable Liquid Spill
  • 412 - Gas Leak (Natural Gas or LPG)
  • 413 - Oil or Other Combustible Liquid Spill
Chemical Release, Reaction, or Toxic Condition Group
  • 420 - Toxic Condition - Other
  • 421 - Chemical Hazard (no Spill or Leak)
  • 422 - Chemical Spill or Leak
  • 423 - Refrigeration Leak
  • 424 - Carbon Monoxide Incident
Radioactive Condition Group
  • 430 - Radioactive Condition - Other
  • 431 - Radiation Leak, Radioactive Material
Electrical Wiring/Equipment Problem Group
  • 440 - Electrical Wiring/Equipment Problem - Other
  • 441 - Heat From Short Circuit (Wiring), Defective/Worn
  • 442 - Overheated Motor
  • 443 - Breakdown Of Light Ballast
  • 444 - Power Line Down
  • 445 - Arcing, Shorted Electrical Equipment
Biological Hazard Group
  • 451 - Biological Hazard, Confirmed or Suspected
Accident, Potential Accident Group
  • 460 - Accident, Potential Accident - Other
  • 461 - Building or Structure Weakened or Collapsed
  • 462 - Aircraft Standby
  • 463 - Vehicle Accident, General Cleanup
Explosive, Bomb Removal Group
  • 471 - Explosive, Bomb Removal note: For Bomb Scare use Bomb Scare No Bomb (721)
Attempted Burning, Illegal Action Group
  • 480 - Attempted Burning, Illegal Action - Other
  • 481 - Attempt To Burn
  • 482 - Threat To Burn
 
 
Service Call Group
Service Call - Other Group
  • 500 - Service Call - Other
Person In Distress Group
  • 510 - Person In Distress - Other
  • 511 - Lock-out
  • 512 - Ring or Jewelry Removal
Water Problem Group
  • 520 - Water Problem - Other
  • 521 - Water Evacuation
  • 522 - Water or Steam Leak
Smoke, Odor Problem Group
  • 531 - Smoke or Odor Removal
Animal Problem or Rescue Group
  • 540 - Animal Problem - Other
  • 541 - Animal Problem
  • 542 - Animal Rescue
Public Service Assistance Group
  • 550 - Public Service Assistance - Other
  • 551 - Assist Police or Other Governmental Agency
  • 552 - Police Matter
  • 553 - Public Service
  • 554 - Assist Invalid
  • 555 - Defective Elevator, No Occupants
Unauthorized Burning Group
  • 561 - Unauthorized Burning
Cover Assignment, Standby At Fire Station, Move-up Group
  • 571 - Cover Assignment, Standby, Moveup
 
 
Good Intent Call Group
Good Intent Call - Other Group
  • 600 - Good Intent Call - Other
Dispatched And Cancelled En Route Group
  • 611 - Dispatched & Cancelled En Route
Wrong Location, No Emergency Found Group
  • 621 - Wrong Location
  • 622 - No Incident Found On Arrival At Dispatch Address
Controlled Burning Group
  • 631 - Authorized Controlled Burning
  • 632 - Prescribed Fire
Vicinity Alarm Group
  • 641 - Vicinity Alarm (incident In Other Location)
Steam - Other Gas Mistaken For Smoke Group
  • 650 - Steam - Other Gas Mistaken For Smoke - Other
  • 651 - Smoke Scare, Odor Of Smoke
  • 652 - Steam, Vapor, Fog or Dust Thought To Be Smoke
  • 653 - Smoke From Barbecue, Tar Kettle
EMS Call Where Party Has Been Transported Group
  • 661 - EMS Call, Party Transported By Non-fire Agency
Hazmat Release Investigation W/No Hazmat Group
  • 671 - Hazmat Release Investigation W/No Hazmat
  • 672 - Biological Hazard Investigation, None Found
 
 
False Alarm & False Call Group
False Alarm And False Call - Other Group
  • 700 - False Alarm or False Call - Other
Malicious, Mischievous False Alarm Group
  • 710 - Malicious, Mischievous False Call - Other
  • 711 - Municipal Alarm System, Malicious False Alarm
  • 712 - Direct Tie to FD, Malicious False Alarm
  • 713 - Telephone, Malicious False Alarm
  • 714 - Central Station, Malicious False Alarm
  • 715 - Local Alarm System, Malicious False Alarm
Bomb Scare Group
  • 721 - Bomb Scare - No Bomb
System or Detector Malfunction Group
  • 730 - System Malfunction - Other
  • 731 - Sprinkler Activation Due To Malfunction
  • 732 - Extinguishing System Activation Due To Malfunction
  • 733 - Smoke Detector Activation Due To Malfunction
  • 734 - Heat Detector Activation Due To Malfunction
  • 735 - Alarm System Sounded Due To Malfunction
  • 736 - Carbon Monoxide Detector Activation Due To Malfunction
Unintentional System/Detector Operation - No Fire Group
  • 740 - Unintentional Transmission Of Alarm - Other
  • 741 - Sprinkler Activation, No Fire - Unintentional
  • 742 - Extinguishing System Activation
  • 743 - Smoke Detector Activation, No Fire - Unintentional
  • 744 - Detector Activation, No Fire - Unintentional
  • 745 - Alarm System Activation, No Fire - Unintentional
  • 746 - Carbon Monoxide Detector Activation, No CO
Biohazard Scare Group
  • 751 - Biological Hazard, Malicious False Report
Severe Weather & Natural Disaster Group
  • 800 - Severe Weather or Natural Disaster - Other
  • 811 - Earthquake Assessment
  • 812 - Flood Assessment
  • 813 - Wind Storm, Tornado/Hurricane Assessment
  • 814 - Lightning Strike - No Fire
  • 815 - Severe Weather or Natural Disaster Standby
 
 
Special Incident Type Group
Special Type Of Incident - Other Group
  • 900 - Special Type Of Incident - Other
  • 6111 - Dispatched & Cancelled Before Leaving Station
  • UUU - Undetermined Incident Type (Conversion Only)
Citizen Complaint Group
  • 911 - Citizen Complaint
 
 

Every Group within ‘Incident Type’

This is the full list of all the groups and sub-groups for Incident Type. Jump to your selected group to drill down on the precise Incident Type.

Transactions containing ‘Incident Type’

A few NFIRS elements are reused accross a number of transactions, but typically the value is captured by one transaction only.

Element Specification

 Specification   Value 
Requirement Mandatory
Expected Length 3
Element Type Coded Field - The coded field relating to an entry in the code table. Most coded fields allow for Plus+ One codes. For these fields the expected length of the coded entry is depicted as (National length OR Plus+ One length). Only fields with this notation in the expected length column allow for Plus+ One definitions. If the user has not provided information, an empty field should be transmitted.
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Need more NFIRS help?

Need more help with NFIRS, or not yet found what you are looking for? Please see if these help …  

NFIRS Coding ... NFIRS Cheat Sheet ...
 
 

For more information see the NFIRS Cheat Sheet, NFIRS Coding and contact Responserack to learn about our fire department software.