Outdated NFIRS shuts down as NERIS takes over
Iain Hoey
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US Fire departments transition to cloud-based NERIS platform
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has fully launched the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) to provide fire departments with a comprehensive data platform for resource allocation and risk assessment.
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) affiliates were central to the development and rollout of this modernised, nationwide collection system.
As of 1 January 2026, NERIS serves as the primary and only fire and all-hazards data system in the United States.
Modernising data through the NERIS platform
The cloud-based system documents workload and operational risk across all-hazards responses using standardised data to inform safety policies and staffing models.
It replaces the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), which was built on outdated code and lacked compatibility with modern tools such as GIS mapping.
USFA developed the new platform in partnership with the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, and the wider fire service.
Assistant to the General President for Health & Safety Sean DeCrane said: “Accurate, comprehensive data strengthens the IAFF’s ability to protect staffing, improve safety, and secure the resources members need.
“It is critical that our members fill out the entire NERIS report.
“Inaccurate or missing data will potentially negatively impact our staffing and funding because decision makers would be acting on incomplete or false information.”
Implementation and departmental feedback on NERIS
A prototype version was tested in March 2024 by six departments, including Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and West Metro Fire Rescue, to capture information on structure fires and medical calls.
Following this pilot, NERIS Version 1 launched to 100 departments in November 2024, operating alongside NFIRS for one year before the legacy system was decommissioned.
This transition period allowed the UL Research Institute to verify the system’s capacity for high user volumes and emerging threats like lithium-ion battery incidents.
Steve Aseltine, a division chief with West Metro Fire Rescue and member of West Metro Local 1309, was instrumental in onboarding the system for his department.
Aseltine said: “The interface is designed to make it user-friendly.
“Data entry is more efficient, and the data is easier to access once it’s in the system.
“With this data, you can see trends and determine what and where the real safety risks are, and whether a deployment structure is or isn’t working.”
Dave Thorson, a battalion chief and Local 385 member with the Omaha Fire Department, added: “NERIS gathers data, not just from the incident commander, but also from individual fire companies.
“This way, there is a clear picture of what occurred with each incident.
“Departments like ours can use this data to make informed decisions.”
Regular updates are being issued based on feedback from participating departments as development continues towards a second version of the system.