FAQ's

Purpose

This article is designed to answer some of the more frequently asked questions surrounding NERIS.

What is NERIS?

The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is an all-hazards platform designed to equip the fire and emergency service community with the data and tools needed to improve decision-making and enhance incident preparedness. NERIS is a secure, cloud-based platform that integrates external data sources to augment baseline incident data. It enables local fire and emergency service agencies to access and utilize their own data, in near real-time, to inform mission-critical decisions.

When will my department switch from NFIRS to NERIS?

NERIS will be rolling out by regions across the United States and its territories. For specific information on when your state is going live, please refer to our NERIS Rollout Schedule article.

When I convert to NERIS, will I be able to go back to NFIRS?

Can I access NERIS before converting to it?

Yes. First Due customers can access NERIS in Beta. To see how your department can access NERIS, please refer to NERIS - Fire Incident Documentation

What differences are there between NERIS and NFIRS?

Feature	NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System)	NERIS (National Emergency Response Information System)
Purpose	Fire incident reporting and related emergencies	All-hazards emergency response and decision support
Data Scope	Fire and EMS incident data	Multi-agency data including fire, EMS, law enforcement, and public safety
Technology Platform	Legacy system with web portal; primarily static data entry	Cloud-based platform with real-time data integration and APIs
Data Standards Supported	NFIRS 5.0	NFIRS 5.0+, NEMSIS v3, HL7, and other modern data standards
User Experience	Focused on incident documentation and static reports	Enhanced analytics, dashboards, and data-driven decision support
Integration Capability	Limited interoperability within fire departments	Multi-agency interoperability with RMS vendors and external data sources
Update Frequency	Periodic updates	Continuous updates via cloud deployment
Access & Availability	State-based portals with variable access controls	Nationwide secure cloud access with role-based permissions
Reporting Features	Static incident-level reports	Near real-time reporting, benchmarking, and situational awareness
Community Risk Tools	Limited	Integrated community risk reduction and standards of

To preview the differences between NERIS and NFIRS fields, check out our article on differences: NERIS vs. NFIRS Differences 

I have existing data reports built out in my account. Will they work with NERIS data?

In most cases yes, your existing NFIRS-based reports will continue to work after switching to NERIS. First Due has taken steps to integrate data between the two forms, and the Incident Report data source in Ad Hoc - along with all of its associated Child data sources - will contain data from both NFIRS and NERIS. This will enable retrospective reporting that crosses over your NFIRS/NERIS transition date.

Users should, however, be aware that some fields in the NFIRS form are deprecated or fundamentally changed in NERIS. In these cases, since the documentation field as a whole does not exist in NERIS, reports will only run correctly on Incident Report data that was generated during time periods the NFIRS form was used.

Any Report currently in use that relies on NFIRS Incident type codes will have to be fundementally examined.  We suggest you examine the criteria in your reports as soon as possible after converting so that you can identify any issues.  (First Due is in the process of building NEW FDR and Canned Reports to reflect the changes needed.)

I have custom questions built in my system. Will they carry over to NERIS?

Yes. Any custom questions you have built will remain after the transition.

Will I have to change any user permission settings in my account for NERIS?

Will the Incident Type Codes be the same as they were in NFIRS?

No, the Incident Type Codes in NERIS are updated and expanded compared to NFIRS. While NERIS maintains compatibility with NFIRS 5.0 codes to ensure continuity, it also incorporates additional codes and categories to cover a broader range of incident types across all hazards. This expansion allows for more detailed and accurate incident classification, supporting enhanced data analysis and decision-making.

How are accredited agencies handling the transition to NERIS?

They are aligning their incident, resource, and risk data with NERIS-compatible standards such as NFIRS 5.0+, NEMSIS v3, and HL7. Because accredited departments already prioritize clean, standardized data for accreditation purposes, this process is a natural extension of their existing practices.

Accredited fire departments often use structured change management processes aligned with their accreditation efforts. This includes staff training, data audits, stakeholder engagement, and pilot testing—allowing for a smooth rollout without major service interruptions.

NERIS provides a centralized, high-quality data platform that supports key accreditation activities, such as community risk reduction, standards of cover, and performance reporting. The system complements the performance metrics and evidence-based strategies required for CPSE accreditation.

Many accredited departments are serving as regional mentors, offering guidance and support to smaller or non-accredited departments. They often host training sessions, share data templates, and help align mutual aid practices with NERIS requirements.

What are the biggest benefits for accredited departments using NERIS?

• Improved data accuracy and interoperability

• National-level benchmarking

• Enhanced transparency and reporting

• Support for accreditation compliance and standards

• Easier access to federal support or funding tied to NERIS participation
  
  

If I am a new customer onboarding before my region goes live, will I be onboarded to NFIRS or NERIS?

As you begin to onboard as a new customer speak with your Implementation manager and discuss it.  There are variables depending on your state.  Your Implementation manger will be able to best advise you.

Do NFIRS and NERIS have the same required fields?

No. NFIRS and NERIS do not have the exact same required fields.  While NERIS maintains Backward compatibility with NFIRS 5.0 to support continuity, it introduces enhanced data structures and additonal required fileds to support modern, all-hazards reporting.

Do I still have the ability to make fields mandatory as needed for my department?

Yes. You can use the Field Customization in your Fire Incident Set Up to require mandatory fields.