Get Ready: NERIS National Rollout and Onboarding

To prepare for the new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) rollout, the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), and the United States Fire Administration (USFA), hosted several webinar sessions.  The most recent webinar occurred on February 18, 2025, NERIS in Action: Operational Usage and the Road Ahead, and provided fire departments across the country with a clearer picture of where the system stands, how onboarding is progressing, and what to expect as the full transition deadline approaches. 

If you missed it, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here’s a recap of the major updates and what they mean for your department. 

NFIRS Retirement and the Hybrid Reporting  

Any new skill requires practice, whether it’s figuring out a new rescue tool, gaining confidence in ladder operations, or entering data in a new system. With NFIRS officially retiring on January 1, 2026, fire departments are preparing for onboarding and learning what NERIS will bring to their daily operations.  

The webinar mentioned that fire departments will be able to transition to NERIS in 2025 based on their local needs and readiness. It’s important that you work with ESO, or your RMS vendor, to establish timelines. The goal of this reporting year is to ensure that departments can onboard in a way that minimizes disruption.  

What does this mean for ESO customers?  

For ESO customers, as your RMS vendor, we can work with you to access the NFIRS system for historical data once you complete the update. 

What’s New? NERIS Features and System Improvements 

The webinar highlighted several key changes in NERIS, designed to provide more accurate data, better risk analysis, and improved operational insights. 

NERIS ID 

Say goodbye to your old FDID. A major change is the transition from FDID to a unique, alphanumeric NERIS ID. Unlike FDIDs, which were only unique within a state, NERIS IDs are geospatially based and unique across the country. It is composed of your NERIS entity type, state and county FIPS codes, and random trailing characters.  Each fire department will require their own NERIS ID to report for that agency.    

This new identifier helps standardize reporting and ensures that data can be analyzed consistently across local, regional, and national levels. However, departments can still use their FDID locally while transitioning to the new system. 

Multiple Incident Types 

NERIS introduces multi-incident type reporting, allowing departments to log up to three incident types per call instead of being limited to just one. 

For example, a single response might include: 

• A vehicle fire 

• A hazardous materials spill 

• An entrapment requiring technical rescue 

Being able to report multiple incident types gives a clearer picture of what firefighters encounter on scene and provides more detailed data for leadership and policymakers.  Departments will need to work on policies to help drive their department to how they want to list incident types.  

Improved Mutual Aid Tracking 

Mutual aid data will be more precise, capturing not only whether aid was given or received but also the specific role that outside units played. The system distinguishes between: 

• Aid given in support of another department 

• Aid given in lieu of the primary department responding 

• Aid provided under contract or acting as another agency 

This structured approach helps departments track true call volume in their jurisdictions and better understand their mutual aid relationships. 

Expanded Tactical Reporting 

From suppression techniques to ventilation efforts, the new system captures detailed tactical data for smarter decision-making. 

Fire departments can now document: 

• Ventilation tactics (e.g., vertical, horizontal, hydraulic) 

• Water application times 

• Primary search status and completion times 

• Rescues and victim outcomes 

This level of detail wasn’t possible in NFIRS and will give departments better insight into the effectiveness of their actions on scene. 

Geospatial Incident Mapping 

NERIS integrates GIS data to provide real-time incident mapping and a clearer view of response patterns. 

Departments will be able to analyze: 

• Designated response areas 

• Call density and geographic trends 

• Mutual aid coverage and gaps 

This data can support station placement decisions, resource allocation, and community risk reduction efforts. 

Real-Time Data Quality Checks 

To improve reporting accuracy, NERIS includes near real-time data validation at the point of entry for minimal rules. This helps reduce errors, missing data, and inconsistent reporting by flagging issues before a report is submitted.   

Fire departments will no longer need to rely on manual reviews or wait weeks to identify reporting errors – the system provides immediate feedback to ensure high-quality data from the start. 

The system will not capture responders and other related information. For these items, refer to your RMS vendor. 

A Phased Approach to Rollout 

Onboarding is happening in phases to ensure departments have the support they need. The transition plan includes: 

• State Fire Marshal coordination to assist with training and outreach 

• Early onboarding for small and large metro departments 

• Regional onboarding based on FEMA regions, allowing departments within the same area to transition together 

Collaboration with RMS vendors to ensure smooth data exchange for departments using third-party reporting systems.                                                                             

Next Steps for Fire Departments 

Here’s how your fire department can start preparing: 

1. Confirm Your Onboarding Timeline: Reach out to your state fire marshal or RMS vendor for your schedule. 
2. Initiate Training: Beginning in May 2025, FEMA regions will begin formally leading the onboarding process. Work with your vendor to understand the training process and when it will be available. 
3. Review Workflows: Analyze your current reporting processes and adjust them to align with NERIS standards. 
4. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on upcoming training resources, webinars, and updates to ensure you’re fully prepared. For more information on how to prepare, visit the official NERIS website. 
    

How ESO is Supporting Your Transition 

For more than a year, ESO has worked closely with FSRI to ensure we’re prepared to help you migrate to NERIS. From onboarding to data collection for reporting, our team is ready to support your transition. We’re ensuring that:   

• Your NERIS account is set up with minimal disruption 

• You receive hands-on, practical training  

• Your transition to NERIS reporting is smooth and timely 

Do you have questions about NERIS or do you need guidance on how ESO can help with your transition to the new system?  

Visit our NERIS FAQs to learn more