Public safety reporting is on the brink of a major transformation. The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is set to replace the outdated National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), bringing a modern approach to how incident information is captured and shared. For many agencies, this change will first be felt in the Reporting Management Systems (RMS) they rely on daily. NERIS isn't just a new form; it's a new model that changes how we validate data and sets new expectations for the flow of information.
In this article, we’ll break down the practical aspects of this transition. We'll explore how NERIS is designed, how it will submit information, how RMS companies need to adapt, and the potential challenges agencies might face during this shift.
NERIS is being introduced in phases. Some early pilot agencies are already using parts of the system, while states nationwide will begin adopting it over the next few years. NFIRS won’t disappear overnight; most agencies will operate in a hybrid environment for a while.
The most significant change with NERIS is its cloud-based, modern infrastructure. Unlike NFIRS, which was developed in the 1970s and never evolved to handle today’s complexities, NERIS is designed for the realities of modern all-hazards response, featuring:
Rather than forcing everything into legacy NFIRS codes, NERIS employs a structured data model that accurately reflects what happens at incident scenes.
A critical feature of NERIS is its API, which allows RMS systems to submit data directly into the national platform. Under NFIRS, data was often submitted in batches or through state-level systems. With NERIS, the RMS will send structured data, enabling real-time checks for accuracy and completeness. This brings several key advantages:
In the long run, this means fewer reporting bottlenecks and less back-and-forth with state offices.
An often-overlooked benefit of NERIS is that it lowers barriers for RMS companies of all sizes. The previous NFIRS structure favored larger vendors due to complicated integrations. NERIS’s straightforward, well-documented API makes it easier for smaller, focused companies to connect, allowing the quality of software and customer service to shine through.
NERIS will require real changes within RMS platforms because the entire model of incident reporting has shifted. Most RMS systems were built around NFIRS’s rigid forms. NERIS introduces a new schema with relationships, optional modules, and detailed fields, necessitating a complete overhaul in how incidents are created, stored, and edited.
User interfaces based on NFIRS often force crews into a single primary incident type. NERIS allows for up to three. While NFIRS forms flatten complex incidents, NERIS encourages detail and guides users through better workflows. RMS vendors must redesign incident entry screens to be intuitive and supportive, helping users provide complete information for smooth validation.
Moving from file uploads to API submissions means RMS must:
This precision was not required under NFIRS, but NERIS demands cleaner data and immediate validation responses, prompting RMS vendors to upgrade their internal architecture.
During the transition, agencies will still need to report under NFIRS, meaning vendors must run both systems concurrently. RMS must detect which system applies to each incident and handle the data accordingly, a significant challenge for older systems not designed for flexibility.
Even with a strong RMS vendor, agencies might experience gaps during the shift to NERIS. These gaps are not failures but part of adopting a modern reporting standard.
Systems built on NFIRS codes may struggle and need major updates to support multiple incident types and new validation rules. Agencies should seek clear timelines from vendors to avoid:
NERIS introduces new fields and expectations. Agencies will need to retrain personnel on selecting incident types, entering responder and exposure data, and understanding new errors that may arise from the NERIS API. Investing in training now can prevent larger backlogs later.
Tools based on NFIRS codes won’t seamlessly transition to NERIS. Initially, agencies may see:
This is normal and will stabilize as more NERIS data accumulates.
NERIS is not simply an update to NFIRS; it's a complete replacement. Old NFIRS data will require careful planning to fit into the new structure. Agencies need clarity from their RMS vendor on:
Understanding these factors early can prevent surprises later.
NERIS marks a long-overdue modernization of public safety reporting, providing agencies with more accurate data, flexible reporting structures, and quicker access to valuable insights. It also necessitates significant changes in RMS systems. Agencies that grasp the scope of this transition and prepare accordingly will navigate the new reporting era successfully.
The journey from NFIRS to NERIS will take time, but the benefits are substantial. With effective planning and a capable RMS partner, agencies will emerge from this transition with improved information, streamlined workflows, and tools that reflect the complexities of their daily operations.
