The transition from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is a major shift for fire departments across the U.S. The launch of NERIS represents the culmination of extensive collaboration among federal agencies, local fire and emergency services, and non-governmental partners. Designed to support approximately 27,000 fire and EMS departments, this modernized system equips agencies with advanced data tools to navigate an increasingly complex risk environment. With emerging threats like lithium-ion battery fires, wildland-urban interface incidents, and extreme weather-related emergencies, NERIS enhances fire department capabilities by providing real-time data analytics, interoperability, and risk assessment tools to improve emergency response and community safety.
After a successful beta testing phase involving over 60 fire departments, NERIS Version 1 will expand its rollout to an additional 105 departments by the end of 2024. Beginning January 2025, a nationwide 12-month implementation will onboard all local fire and EMS agencies, enabling them to transition from the outdated NFIRS system. By 2026, NERIS will become the primary incident reporting platform for fire and EMS departments across the United States, ensuring standardized, data-driven decision-making and enhanced emergency response coordination.
One of the biggest challenges in this transition is the readiness gap among fire departments. According to a recent 2025 NERIS Readiness Report, over 500 agencies are actively working to upgrade their reporting infrastructure, but many are struggling with the complexity of onboarding. The report highlights that departments must validate current workflows, train staff on new data entry processes, and ensure their systems are equipped for API-based submissions to avoid errors and reporting delays. Without proper preparation, agencies risk inefficiencies and gaps in reporting that could impact emergency response effectiveness.
With a full implementation deadline of January 1, 2026, agencies must prepare now to avoid workflow disruptions and compliance challenges. Unlike NFIRS, which relies on outdated reporting methods, NERIS enables real-time data submission, improves interoperability through API integrations, and enhances data accuracy with automated validation checks. However, many departments face hurdles, including adapting to new software, training personnel, and ensuring data accuracy for seamless migration.
EPR Fireworks simplifies this onboarding process by automating key steps and reducing the burden on fire departments. Its integration capabilities ensure that agencies can transition seamlessly without data loss or extensive manual reconfiguration. EPR Fireworks also provides real-time validation and troubleshooting tools, significantly minimizing errors during the initial implementation phase. Additionally, its training modules help departments familiarize personnel with NERIS’s new reporting structure, cutting the learning curve.
Understanding NERIS: Key Differences Between NFIRS and NERIS
The transition from NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System) to NERIS (National Emergency Response Information System) marks a significant leap in how fire departments collect, analyze, and utilize emergency response data. Unlike its predecessor, NERIS is designed to streamline operations, enhance data accuracy, and provide real-time insights for improved decision-making.
- Elimination of Numeric Codes for Incident Types
NFIRS relied on a complex system of numeric codes to classify incidents, making data entry time-consuming and prone to errors. NERIS replaces these codes with a more intuitive, standardized classification system that simplifies reporting and improves accuracy
- Enhanced Dashboard with Geospatial Mapping
One of NERIS’s standout features is its interactive dashboard that integrates real-time geospatial mapping. This upgrade enables fire departments to visualize incidents, resource allocation, and response patterns more effectively, leading to quicker and more strategic decision-making.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration Features
NERIS introduces seamless multi-agency collaboration, allowing fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies to share data efficiently. By integrating API-based submissions, NERIS eliminates redundant data entry and ensures all stakeholders can access the most up-to-date incident information, enhancing coordination during emergencies.
Adopting NERIS doesn’t have to be overwhelming. EPR Fireworks ensures a smooth transition by providing automated data migration, real-time error validation, and user-friendly training tools. Our fire RMS software seamlessly integrates with NERIS, reducing manual workloads and minimizing reporting errors. Additionally, EPR Fireworks’ intuitive dashboard and API capabilities ensure that departments can adopt NERIS without operational disruptions, making compliance effortless.
NERIS Rollout Timeline: What to Expect
The transition from NFIRS to NERIS is a multi-year process to modernize fire incident reporting and improve data-driven decision-making. With a full adoption deadline for January 1, 2026, fire departments must navigate key milestones to ensure compliance and operational efficiency. By offering a clearer picture of emergency response effectiveness, NERIS helps departments secure grants and budget approvals with data-backed justifications.
2024: Early Adoption and Initial Department Onboarding
This year marks the start of NERIS early adoption, with select fire departments beginning their transition. Initial steps include the following.
- System preparation: Agencies validate data structures and train personnel.
- Software integration: Departments ensure their reporting platforms are NERIS-compatible.
EPR Fireworks has assisted early adopters by providing automated migration tools, real-time data validation, and custom training programs. Our fire records management system ensures that fire departments onboard smoothly without disrupting daily operations.
2025: Hybrid Reporting Phase and Gradual Migration
During this phase, fire departments will operate under a hybrid model, where NFIRS and NERIS reporting structures run parallel. This approach allows agencies to test and refine their NERIS workflows while complying with existing NFIRS standards.
Our strategy for phased department onboarding and vendor collaboration.
- Gradual adoption: Departments transition in stages to minimize disruptions.
- Vendor partnerships: EPR Fireworks collaborates with software providers to ensure smooth API integrations.
- Training support: Our interactive training modules update personnel on evolving NERIS requirements.
2026: Full NERIS Adoption and NFIRS Decommissioning
By January 1, 2026, NFIRS will be fully decommissioned, making NERIS the national standard for fire incident reporting. At this point, all departments must complete their migration to avoid compliance issues.
With EPR Fireworks, fire agencies can confidently meet the NERIS adoption deadline. Our compliance tracking system notifies departments of missing elements, while our 24/7 support team helps resolve last-minute issues.
Preparing for NERIS: A Step-by-Step Guide with EPR Fireworks
Transitioning to NERIS requires a structured approach to ensure a smooth implementation without disrupting daily operations. With EPR Fireworks, fire departments can streamline the process, leveraging automation, training tools, and seamless integrations to make the shift effortless.
- Assigning a NERIS Data Lead
A designated NERIS Data Lead is essential for overseeing the transition and ensuring all team members follow best practices. This individual is responsible for data validation, training coordination, and compliance tracking.
We provide role-based training tailored for Data Leads, offering in-depth guidance on data migration, workflow adjustments, and troubleshooting within the NERIS framework.
- Assessing RMS Compatibility
Fire departments rely on a fire records management system (RMS) to store and manage incident data. Ensuring your RMS is NERIS-compatible is a crucial step in the transition process.
Our platform integrates with leading RMS providers, allowing a frictionless transition without requiring manual data re-entry. This ensures data integrity and seamless interoperability between systems.
- Hands-On Training for Firefighters
To maximize NERIS adoption, firefighters and command staff must be familiar with the new reporting structure. Effective training minimizes confusion and prevents operational slowdowns.
We offer live training sessions, interactive simulations, and self-paced learning modules. These resources allow personnel to gain hands-on experience with NERIS workflows, ensuring they are prepared before full implementation.
- Ensuring Compliance & Data Accuracy
Accurate and timely reporting is critical for compliance. Departments must ensure that incident data is correctly categorized and submitted without errors.
Our built-in validation checks automatically flag inconsistencies and missing data before submission, reducing compliance risks and preventing reporting errors. Additionally, our compliance dashboard helps departments track progress toward full NERIS adoption.
By following these steps with EPR Fireworks, fire departments can confidently navigate the transition to NERIS, ensuring a seamless, efficient, and fully compliant implementation.
Conclusion: Prepare for NERIS & Future-Proof your Fire Department with EPR Fireworks
As the fire service transitions to NERIS, departments need a trusted, efficient, and scalable solution to ensure a seamless migration. The shift from NFIRS to NERIS represents more than just a reporting change—it’s a transformation in data accuracy, operational efficiency, and multi-agency collaboration. To stay ahead, fire departments must embrace technology-driven solutions that simplify compliance and optimize workflows.
EPR Fireworks eliminates friction in the onboarding process by automating data migration, integrating with RMS providers, and offering real-time validation tools. By reducing manual entry, enhancing reporting accuracy, and providing hands-on training, EPR Fireworks ensures departments transition without operational disruptions while maximizing data efficiency.
Get started with EPR Fireworks today and experience a faster, smarter, and fully compliant NERIS transition—so your department can focus on what matters most: saving lives and protecting communities. To know more, contact us for a demo.
