US launches NERIS platform to modernise fire and EMS incident data
Iain Hoey
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NERIS: New cloud-based system to enhance data collection for emergency response
The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) has launched to advance incident data collection for fire and EMS departments across the United States.
As reported by the Fire Safety Research Institute, this new cloud-based platform is designed to provide near-real-time data and analytical tools for fire service leaders.
NERIS, created in partnership with the American fire service, aims to enable more accurate, timely responses to community emergencies, while improving post-incident data access for local and national agencies.
NERIS Version 1 will support nearly 27,000 fire and EMS departments by capturing data that helps these agencies make informed decisions, adjust resource allocation, and respond effectively to evolving threats such as lithium-ion battery fires, wildland-urban interface fires, and extreme weather events.
New platform replaces NFIRS as primary reporting tool
NERIS is set to replace the legacy National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), which will be phased out by early 2026.
After completing beta testing with over 60 departments, NERIS will onboard an additional 105 departments by the end of 2024.
A full nationwide rollout will follow in January 2025, spanning 12 months to cover all fire and EMS departments.
The platform has been developed through a collaborative effort involving the Fire Safety Research Institute, the U.S. Fire Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate.
NERIS is designed to streamline data reporting, enhance accuracy, and improve ease of use for firefighters and first responders.
Key benefits of NERIS for fire and EMS services
NERIS offers several advantages that directly support fire and EMS departments.
Among the platform’s core features is its ability to help departments better understand and articulate their operational needs, based on comprehensive incident data that reflects various hazard types.
The system will also assist in resource allocation decisions, including staffing and equipment deployment, by providing insights on mutual and automatic aid usage.
In addition, NERIS will support risk assessment by establishing a consistent, nationwide understanding of local hazards.
It will enable fire service agencies to track and measure mitigation efforts and improve response performance by identifying areas for service enhancement.
Leaders emphasise importance of real-time data in fire service evolution
According to Dr. Steve Kerber, Vice President and Executive Director of the Fire Safety Research Institute, NERIS will mark a significant shift in fire service data usage.
Dr. Kerber stated: “NERIS represents a new era for the fire service. It will put actionable data in the hands of our firefighters, giving them the tools to better protect their communities and use resources more effectively.”
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator, highlighted how NERIS will influence the future of fire service: “NERIS is about finally understanding our fire problem and shaping the future of our fire response.
“By providing our departments with meaningful access to more accurate near real-time data – it will set the foundation for innovations that will transform how we protect our communities for many years to come.”
US fire departments to transition from NFIRS to NERIS in 2025
In 2025, NERIS will be offered at no cost to fire and EMS departments across the U.S. as they transition from NFIRS.
This transition period will allow departments to continue using NFIRS while gradually integrating NERIS into their systems.
All departments are advised to maintain current reporting standards in NFIRS until they are fully transitioned to NERIS by early 2026, ensuring consistent data continuity throughout the changeover.
US launches NERIS platform to modernise fire and EMS incident data: Summary
The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), a cloud-based data platform, launched this week to serve fire and EMS departments across the United States.
Developed with input from the American fire service, NERIS Version 1 aims to improve data collection and analysis, offering tools for timely, data-informed decisions in emergency response.
NERIS is designed to replace the existing National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) by 2026, with a nationwide rollout scheduled to begin in January 2025.
Key benefits of NERIS include enhanced resource allocation, risk assessment, and performance review capabilities.
Dr. Steve Kerber of the Fire Safety Research Institute and U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell highlighted the importance of real-time data in modernising fire service practices.
