Still on Track: NERIS Beta Launch and Latest Developments
Good news! The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is on track! On August 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Fire Safety Research Institute, and the U.S. Fire Administration hosted their fourth informational webinar, NERIS Next Steps: Beta Launch, API Development, and Secondary Schema Release, to update departments on the current progress with NERIS and the anticipated timeline over the next three years. Here is a recap in case you were unable to attend or need a refresher.
What is NERIS?
Set to replace the NFIRS system, NERIS is not just an update but an entirely new emergency response information system designed to consolidate industry standards and transform the fire services’ relationship with data. Game–changing for the industry, fire and emergency services will now have unprecedented access to their data. Better equipped with near real-time information and the ability to analyze and share critical information that aids decision-making and incident response preparedness, departments will be empowered at every level–federal, state, local, tribal, and more. NERIS’s ultimate goal is to save lives through the power of data, which means it will continue to evolve and improve over time to ensure the industry has what it needs to document and keep up with new and evolving threats.
What are the latest updates?
After a successful release of the Core Data Schemas in May, the USFA is well into the next phase of the NERIS transition. The current focus covers three important areas, including the NERIS beta launch, the core beta API launch, and the draft secondary schema release. Here’s what you need to know:
The NERIS beta launch
Over 350 fire departments from across the nation requested to be part of the early onboarding for this beta launch, and 50 were selected to represent the 1,378 combined fire stations from 31 different states. These departments will train on and test NERIS’s onboarding and workflows to provide feedback that helps inform the design of version 1 as the USFA moves closer to its release date. In order to ensure NERIS works for everyone, the versatility of departments within the beta group was key. The group consists of fire departments, fire authorities, fire and rescue, and more, representing metropolitan, suburban, and small rural populations with wide-ranging technological capabilities. Since this is an iterative process, the participation of the six departments that tested out the initial prototype made this beta launch possible. Their feedback represented over 957 incidents overall and provided a ton of information to help iron out some of the initial wrinkles.
Core Beta API development
Application programming interfaces (API) are a set of protocols necessary for the quick and efficient exchange of data and functionality between software applications. With API, participating CAD and RMS vendors will be able to automatically send data back and forth to NERIS. API documentation was shared using Swagger on August 5, 2024, so that end users can start to visualize and interact with NERIS’s API resources. Developers can also now test payload submissions and visualize scheme logic and structure through a provided sandbox. For any CAD and RMS vendors who are interested, you can share information and ask questions during the USFA development team’s regular NERIS office hours.
The Core Beta API launch brings several key benefits, including:
- The integration of third-party RMS and CAD into NERIS
- A set stage for future integrations
- Elimination of the need to email or upload files
- The near real-time exchange of data
NERIS draft secondary data schema release
Three new schemas that have been under development for months were made ready for public engagement and review with a 30-day engagement period from August 5, 2024, to September 4, 2024, to submit feedback. The new schemas announced are:
- Incident Analysis (fire investigation): contains data elements that detail more nuanced aspects of incident response, such as thermal runaway on battery fire or structural level damage in wildfire aftermath.
- Community Risk Reduction: allows NERIS to collect risk reduction data ahead of local emergencies, such as proactive efforts, including inspections, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm incidents, public education classes, community paramedicine, mobile integrated health programs, and more.
- Health and Wellness: establishes a standard set of data elements to be collected for tracking individual exposures, along with department procedures for mitigating occupational hazards and firefighter injuries outside of incident response.
What’s the current timeline?
The process is on track and expected to be completed by 2026. Here’s what you can expect throughout the next three years:
2024: Development and launch
It’s halfway through the year, and a lot has already been accomplished in preparation for the NERIS launch. The beta stage is currently taking place thanks to feedback from prototype testing. Here’s what has already happened and what’s just ahead:
- Release of beta NERIS Core Data Schemas and data dictionary (completed)
- Prototype testing and evaluation with the original six fire departments (completed)
- Launch of beta version of NERIS and onboarding of 50 departments (in progress)
- Completion of development and launch of v1.0 of NERIS
- Launch of phase one onboarding for fire departments nationwide
2025: Hybrid reporting year
In order to make NERIS the national system, the USFA needs enough departments onboarded to ensure there’s enough data to successfully extrapolate information. Since this is a hybrid year, some departments will still be reporting through NFIRS, while some will be transferring to NERIS. What you can expect in 2025:
- Continued NERIS development via multiple software releases
- Completion of Phases 2 and 3 onboarding for fire departments
- Planning and decommissioning of NFIRS
2026: Complete decommissioning of NFIRS
Effective January 1, 2026, all incident reporting for all departments across the United States will go through NERIS. What you can expect in 2026:
- Continued onboarding for stations who have not yet done so
- Continued development and new releases
- Complete decommissioning of NFIRS
Preparing for NERIS
To prepare for NERIS, first and foremost, identify your NERIS lead. This person should already have a deep understanding of your department’s data and organizational infrastructure. Their role will be coordinating onboarding, training, and all administrative aspects of transition.
Next, decide what CAD and RMS vendors you want to partner up with, along with your PSAP or 911 dispatch center. You should also catalog mutual and automatic aid agencies located within your response area.
Finally, gather all information on station locations, units, geographical data, such as shapefiles or maps delineating jurisdictional boundaries (call your county GIS department if needed), and other specifics such as unit capabilities, minimum staffing levels, and cross-staffing arrangements.
How ESO can help with your transition
Here at ESO, we have been preparing for the NERIS migration for a long time. We are already working with UL FSRI to support you throughout your transition. From onboarding to helping you collect the required data for reporting needs, we’ll be here throughout every step of the process to ensure you have the best possible NERIS experience.
For more information on how to prepare, visit usfa.fema.gov/nfirs/neris/.
To learn more about the NERIS progress in this last year, catch up with our other blog posts.
To see what your department needs to know about the transition, watch our video below.