NERIS Fire Reporting

Prepare for the NERIS Transition

Ensure your team is ready for the latest in emergency response data management.

What is NERIS? 

NERIS (National Emergency Response Information System) will replace NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System) as the national fire incident reporting system. It is a secure, cloud-based platform that integrates external data sources to augment baseline incident data. NERIS enables local fire and emergency service agencies to access and utilize their own data, in near real-time, to inform mission-critical decisions.

“Our ongoing mission is to ensure NERIS not only meets the current needs of the fire service community, but also adapts to the future demands as fire ground operations evolve,” said Dr. Steve Kerber, Vice President and Executive Director at FSRI, during their webinar update.

Blue circular logo with white text: "NERIS V1" and "Data Exchange Compatible." A stylized lowercase "d" and star are in the center.

Get NERIS-Ready Today

Schedule a demo of our RMS software and take the first step toward NERIS compliance.

NERIS Key Benefits & Features

Comprehensive Reporting

NERIS allows the selection of up to three incident types per emergency, providing a more detailed and accurate depiction of complex scenarios.

Modernized Actions and Tactics

Improved data on fire suppression, ventilation, search and rescue, and contamination reduction.

Emerging Hazards Module

A dynamic module to address unforeseen threats, supporting the all-hazards approach.

Enhanced Exposure Tracking

Streamlined data entry for exposure information, aiding in better understanding of fire incidents.

Real-Time Data Access

Reduced time entry burden and near real-time data availability for stakeholders.

Modular and Adaptable Design

NERIS evolves with changing risks and community characteristics.

GIS and Location-Based Data

Emphasizes the “where” of incident response for improved risk assessment and performance analysis.

Relevant Metrics for Decision-Makers

Gathers crucial data to support informed decision-making at the local level.

Screenshot of a FAQ document titled "NERIS Technology FAQs" by ImageTrend, providing information on onboarding, agency setup, and client ID location for the NERIS system.

ImageTrend NERIS Technology FAQs

Download our latest FAQ guide for a detailed look at how ImageTrend’s Elite platform supports the transition to NERIS. This resource covers configuration guidance, CAD integration, validation rules, reporting, and key timelines to help agencies prepare for successful onboarding and live data submission.

Download the PDF

Want to Stay Informed on NERIS Updates and Discussions?

The clock is ticking on NERIS! Is your team ready?

On-Demand Webinar

Get ready for NERIS. This insider session guides fire leaders through the latest NERIS updates and gives clear, practical steps to prepare for the transition. Learn how ImageTrend’s Elite Fire simplifies compliance with built-in rules, automations, and training—helping your agency modernize reporting, improve accuracy, and make smarter decisions.

Watch Now

Firefighter in full gear stands in front of stacked hoses. A flame icon is displayed on a yellow background to the left.

Frequently Asked Questions

Updating NFIRS was necessary to achieve modernization, improve data accuracy, and enhance decision-making capabilities in reporting. NERIS emerged as a solution to these challenges, conceived from an extensive, collaborative effort involving technical experts, industry leaders, and interagency partners. Features of NERIS include:

  • Cloud-based
  • Near real-time data is possible
  • Data submission by API
  • Interoperability via API

2024

  • Release Beta Schemas
  • Complete Prototype system and evaluation with 6 Beta departments
  • Onboard 50 Beta departments
  • Beta Schemas to be frozen 11/4/2024

2025

  • NERIS will onboard additional agencies
  • Will be a “hybrid” reporting year where both NFIRS and NERIS records will be accepted by FEMA
  • NFIRS Server to be decommissioned 12/31/2025

2026

  • 1/1/2026 – Only NERIS reporting will be accepted by FEMA

A chart detailing responsibility, training needs, and time commitment for configuration. It lists roles responsible, who is affected, and the training required for different site complexities.

Yes, training is available, including:

  • Data Validation:
    • Verify Users list
    • Vehicles
    • Agency Locations
      • Select headquarters
  • Review Current Usage:
    • Create list of reports currently used
    • Create list of used Supplemental Questions
  • Create list of agency-specific Validation & Visibility Rules

There will be no charge to transition to NERIS from ImageTrend. There will be an optional offering for purchase of a 4-hour program consisting of two 2-hour webinars. The sessions will guide clients through the NERIS transition process and outline the steps they need to take.

Yes

Yes

ImageTrend will provide continuity in reporting where available.

Yes

Yes

Yes, there will still be access to NFIRS data and Reports in Elite after the transition to NERIS.

There is no plan to charge for the CAD updates required for the NERIS transition. 

All CAD integrations will need to be reconfigured as all the NERIS fields are new. This will be completed during the NERIS transition for your agency.

Yes

ImageTrend Elite will be able to automatically send NERIS incidents to either that state or NERIS, depending on the requirements in your state.

Yes! When NERIS is available, your system administrator will be able to configure a DEMO AGENCY with NERIS turned on for you to use for configuration and training.

NERIS has a module called Health and Wellness that is part of the NERIS Secondary Schemas. We will incorporate this module into Elite when the schemas are finalized by NERIS. This schema is a big improvement over the NFIRS method for documentation.

Preset Values are an ImageTrend feature that work like a macro where a single button press can fill in several configured fields. ImageTrend will continue to offer this feature with NERIS, as we have with NFIRS.

Yes. NERIS is the new dataset that’s separate from the NFIRS dataset.

System Administrators will be able to enable NERIS for a demo agency on their system to start configuration and training in Q2.

Until you transition to NERIS, you will still need to manually submit your NFIRS incidents to NFIRS. After the transition to NERIS, you will be able to have your NERIS incidents automatically transmitted to NERIS via API.

Yes. With NERIS, a user can document up to three Incident Types. ImageTrend Elite will support this functionality.

Yes, the configuration and operation will be similar to the NEMSIS auto transmission of records. This is a feature we are really looking forward to implementing.

No, incidents should only be collected in one format. Once you transition to NERIS you must stop collecting NFIRS data.

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