Ensure NERIS Fire Reporting Compliance
Maintain compliance with the NERIS Emergency Reporting System
The latest in emergency response data management went into effect in January 2026.
What is NERIS Fire Reporting?
NERIS (National Emergency Response Information System) replaced NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System) as the national fire incident emergency 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 fire reporting 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.
Ensure Your Agency is Compliant with NERIS Today
Schedule a demo of our RMS software and to ensure NERIS compliance.
NERIS Fire Reporting Key Benefits & Features
Comprehensive Emergency Reporting System
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.
ImageTrend NERIS Reporting Technology FAQs
Download our latest FAQ guide for a detailed look at how ImageTrend’s Elite platform ensures your agency is compliant with NERIS fire reporting. This resource covers configuration guidance, CAD integration, validation rules, reporting, and key timelines to help agencies navigate NERIS
Want to Stay Informed on NERIS Fire Reporting Updates and Discussions?
- Sign up for the official NERIS notifications under “Stay Informed”
- Join our monthly Client Connection for Elite Fire Users
- Check our blog for updates from ImageTrend
NERIS Transition Series: Ongoing Updates to Support Your Agency
On-Demand Webinar
Regardless of whether your department has already transitioned or is currently in the planning stages, this on-demand webinar is designed to keep you updated on upcoming changes. By attending this session, you will gain a clearer understanding of future requirements and learn how to leverage available tools to optimize your agency’s NERIS workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions for Agencies Still Transitioning to NERIS
Why did NERIS reporting replace NFIRS?
Updating NFIRS was necessary to achieve modernization, improve data accuracy, and enhance decision-making capabilities in reporting. NERIS fire reporting emerged as a solution to these challenges, conceived from an extensive, collaborative effort involving technical experts, industry leaders, and interagency partners. Features of NERIS reporting include:
- Cloud-based
- Near real-time data is possible
- Data submission by API
- Interoperability via API
What was the timeline for the transition from NFIRS to NERIS emergency reporting system?
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 reporting 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 fire reporting will be accepted by FEMA
Will Elite Fire agencies receive NERIS training?
Yes, training is available, including:
- Step-by-step guide in Help/University
- Recorded videos
- NERIS Education Package (available for purchase)
What can my agency do to prepare for this NERIS fire system transition today?
- 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
Will there be a cost to transition to NERIS from ImageTrend?
There will be no charge to transition to NERIS reporting from ImageTrend. There is an optional offering for purchase of a 4-hour program consisting of two 2-hour NERIS training webinars. The sessions guide clients through the NERIS transition process and outline the steps they need to take.
Will ImageTrend support Plus 1 codes with NERIS?
Yes. ImageTrend will continue to support the use of Plus 1 codes within the NERIS reporting framework. This ensures that agencies can maintain the level of data detail they currently rely on for local tracking while remaining fully compliant with the new national standards.
Will ImageTrend support custom fields with NERIS?
Yes. ImageTrend is committed to ensuring that agencies can maintain their unique data collection requirements alongside the new national standards. Custom fields are supported within the Elite platform to allow for the continued gathering of agency-specific information.
Will there be continuity in reporting between NFIRS and NERIS?
ImageTrend will provide continuity in reporting where available.
Will ImageTrend still support 2025 and older reports to obtain pre-2026 data?
Yes, there will still be access to NFIRS data and Reports in Elite after the transition to NERIS reporting.
Will customers be charged for a new CAD integration?
There is no plan to charge for the CAD updates required for the NERIS fire reporting transition.
Our agency is currently sending CAD data to Elite. Will that change with the new NERIS reporting system?
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.
Will ImageTrend automatically export to NERIS when fire reports are completed in Elite?
ImageTrend Elite is able to automatically send NERIS incidents to either that state or NERIS, depending on the requirements in your state.
Will we be able to test NERIS in a demo agency?
Yes! Your system administrator can configure a DEMO AGENCY with NERIS turned on for you to use for configuration and training.
How is NERIS changing or handling civilian/firefighter exposures?
NERIS has a module called Health and Wellness that is part of the NERIS Secondary Schemas. We incorporated this module into Elite when the schemas were finalized by NERIS. This schema is a big improvement over the NFIRS method for documentation.
Is NERIS going away from the current Preset Values?
Preset Values are an ImageTrend feature that works like a macro where a single button press can fill in several configured fields. ImageTrend continues to offer this feature with NERIS, as we have with NFIRS.
Will current external Data Mart customers get the new NERIS Data Mart as well?
Yes. NERIS is the new dataset that’s separate from the NFIRS dataset.
When will the demo be available?
System Administrators will be able to enable NERIS for a demo agency on their system to start configuration and training in Q2.
Will we still need to manually submit our NFIRS fire reports to the State?
Until you transition to the NERIS emergency reporting system, 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.
NERIS stated that users could have multiple incident types. Will that functionality be available?
Yes. With NERIS, a user can document up to three Incident Types. ImageTrend Elite supports this functionality.
Will the automatic process of sending incidents to NERIS be triggered on specific items like it was for ePCRs?
Yes, the configuration and operation are similar to the NEMSIS auto transmission of records. This is a feature we were happy to implement. .
If we waited to go live until after 1/1/26 instead of an earlier date, will we still need to collect data in two formats?
No, incidents should only be collected in one format. Once you transition to NERIS fire reporting you must stop collecting NFIRS data.

