NERIS Apparatus / Unit Types

NERIS Apparatus / Unit Types

Purpose Statement

This guide provides Fire/EMS personnel with a comprehensive understanding of NERIS apparatus and unit types. The system enables accurate identification and reporting of emergency response equipment by standardizing unit classifications across all departments. This ensures proper resource tracking, improves mutual aid coordination, and supports compliance with federal reporting requirements.

Background Information

NERIS delivers precise classifications for apparatus and unit types, including modern fire service teams and emergency vehicles. These updates are designed to support accurate and actionable data collection that reflects today's operational realities.


1. Understanding Primary Categories

NERIS unit types are organized by primary discipline:

  • Structural Firefighting: Traditional fire apparatus and equipment
  • Wildland Firefighting: Specialized wildland response units
  • Medical: EMS and medical response equipment
  • Specialized Unit Types: Hazmat, decontamination, and investigation units
2. Selecting Appropriate Unit Types

Choose the most specific unit type that accurately describes your apparatus:

  • Review the definition and editorial description
  • Match your equipment capabilities to the NERIS value
  • Consider operational use rather than just physical characteristics
3. Entering your NERIS Apparatus Type

Access the apparatus record from the Apparatus Overview or Apparatus List and select the appropriate type from the dropdown of the NERIS Apparatus Type field





All NERIS Apparatus/Unit Types

DefinitionNERIS Value
 Engine (Structural)ENGINE_STRUCT TENDER
 Water Tender/TankerTENDER
 Engine (Wildland Interface) CREW
 Hand Crew CREW_TRANS
  Fire / Rescue Boat, Small (Craft Length of < 20 feet) BOAT
  Fire Boat, Large (Craft Length of 20+ feet) BOAT_LARGE
  Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder < 75' No Suppression CapabilityLADDER_SMALL
 Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder < 75' Suppression CapableLADDER_QUINT
 Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder 75'+ No Suppression CapabilityLADDER_TALL
 Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder 75'+ Suppression CapableQUINT_TALL
 Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder 75'+ Suppression CapablePLATFORM
 Elevated Platform, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder > 75' with Suppression CapabilityPLATFORM_QUINT
 Tractor-drawn Aerial unitLADDER_TILLER
 ARFF Response Vehicle ARFF
 Foam TenderFOAM
 Helicopter, Multiuse
 HELO_GENERAL
 Helicopter, Fire Suppression
 HELO_FIRE
 Helicopter, Rescue/EMS 
 HELO_RESCUE
 Drone/UAV - Fire Suppression
 UAS_FIRE
 Drone/UAV - Recon or Situational Awareness
 UAS_RECON
 Fixed Wing, Fire Suppression
 AIR_TANKER
 Ambulance, ALS
 ALS_AMB
 Ambulance, BLS
 BLS_AMB
 EMS Response Vehicle (Non-Transport)
 EMS_NOTRANS
 EMS Supervisor
 EMS_SUPV
 Medical Ambulance Bus (MAB)
 MAB
 Chief/Staff/Command Officer
 CHIEF_STAFF_COMMAND



Structural Firefighting Units

Definition
NERIS Value
Engine (Structural)
ENGINE_STRUCT TENDER
Water Tender/Tanker
TENDER
 Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder < 75' No Suppression Capability
LADDER_SMALL
Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder < 75' No Suppression Capability
LADDER_QUINT
Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder < 75' Suppression Capable
LADDER_TALL
Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder 75'+ No Suppression Capability
QUINT_TALL
Ladder or Truck, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder 75'+ Suppression Capable
PLATFORM
Elevated Platform, Rear or Mid-Mount Ladder > 75' No Suppression Capability
PLATFORM_QUINT
Tractor-drawn Aerial unit
LADDER_TILLER
Foam Tender
FOAM
Chief/Staff/Command Officer
CHIEF_STAFF_COMMAND
Privately Owned Vehicle
POV
SCBA Support Unit
SCBA
Air and Light Unit
AIR_LIGHT
Rehabilitation or Canteen Unit
REHAB
Fire investigation Unit
INVEST
General Purpose/Utility Unit
UTIL




Wildland Firefighting Units

DefinitionNERIS Value
Engine (Wildland Interface)ENGINE_WUI
Hand CrewCREW
Crew TransportCREW_TRANS
Helicopter, MultiuseHELO_GENERAL
Helicopter, Fire SuppressionHELO_FIRE
Drone/UAV - Fire SuppressionUAS_FIRE
Drone/UAV - Recon or Situational AwarenessUAS_RECON
Fixed Wing, Fire SuppressionAIR_TANKER
Fixed Wing, Recon or OtherAIR_RECON
Mobile Command PostMOBILE_ICP
Mobile Communications EquipmentMOBILE_COMMS
Bulldozer / DozerDOZER
Other Ground EquipmentOTHER_GROUND
All Terrain Vehicle, Fire SuppressionATV_FIRE
General Purpose/Utility UnitUTIL




Medical Units

DefinitionNERIS Value
Helicopter, Rescue/EMSHELO_RESCUE
Fixed Wing, EMSAIR_EMS
Ambulance, ALSALS_AMB
Ambulance, BLSBLS_AMB
EMS Response Vehicle (Non-Transport)EMS_NOTRANS
EMS SupervisorEMS_SUPV
Medical Ambulance Bus (MAB)MAB
All Terrain Vehicle, EMS/RescueATV_EMS




Rescue Units

DefinitionNERIS Value
Drone/UAV - Recon or Situational AwarenessUAS_RECON
Rescue Unit, Multi-Function, HeavyRESCUE_HEAVY
Rescue Unit, Multi-Function, MediumRESCUE_MEDIUM
Rescue Unit, Multi-Function, LightRESCUE_LIGHT
Rescue Unit, US&RRESCUE_USAR
Rescue Unit, US&RRESCUE_WATER
All Terrain Vehicle, EMS/RescueATV_EMS





Specialized Unit Types

DefinitionNERIS Value
Hazardous Materials UnitHAZMAT
Decontamination UnitDECON
Rehabilitation or Canteen UnitREHAB
Fire investigation UnitINVEST
Hazardous Materials UnitHAZMAT
Decontamination UnitDECON
Privately Owned VehiclePOV
Rescue Unit, Multi-Function, HeavyRESCUE_HEAVY
Rescue Unit, Multi-Function, MediumRESCUE_MEDIUM
Rescue Unit, Multi-Function, LightRESCUE_LIGHT
Rescue Unit, Water RescueRESCUE_WATER
SCBA Support UnitSCBA
Air and Light UnitAIR_LIGHT
Rehabilitation or Canteen UnitREHAB
Mobile Command PostMOBILE_ICP
Mobile Communications EquipmentMOBILE_COMS
Bulldozer / DozerDOZER
Other Ground Equipment
OTHER_GROUND
All Terrain Vehicle, EMS Rescue
ATV_EMS
All Terrain Vehicle, Fire Suppression
ATV_FIRE
Fire Investigation Unit
INVEST
General Purpose / Utility Unit
UTIL

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