National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS)

FAQs for NERIS

While VDFP does not manage the NERIS platform.  The following FAQs have been created by the Community Risk Reduction team to assist fire service personnel with the transition to NERIS as well as becoming accustomed to regular ad-hoc reporting.

• Access to the NERIS platform will be provided at no cost to verified fire departments, first responders and emergency response teams.

  In addition to fire department access, aggregated analytical views and API data services will be available at no cost to other authorized stakeholders, such as state and federal agencies, for research, analysis and policy development. Overall, the aim is to make NERIS a comprehensive, secure, and accessible platform for all key stakeholders. 

• Yes, but you will need to take action and export the data from eNFIRS before Jan. 31, 2026. The legacy NFIRS will be fully decommissioned, and data no longer available, starting Feb. 1, 2026.

  For instructions on how to export data from eNFIRS and other resources, visit the NFIRS Sunset page on the USFA website: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfirs/sunset. Departments using a third-party Records Management System (RMS) should confirm with their vendor that historical NFIRS data is properly stored.

• Yes. NERIS has been designed for easy data entry with a focus on a clean, intuitive and mobile-friendly user experience. The NERIS data capture app will be accessible on mobile devices, tablets, laptop and desktop computers.

  Further, to help minimize data entry by firefighters, NERIS will be able to consume data services from local CAD and RMS providers. For departments without CAD or RMS, the NERIS-provided data capture application will be available. 

• NERIS has been designed with a mobile-first approach and is compatible with various operating systems, any type of internet connection, various web browsers and is fully accessible across all types of devices including desktop and laptop computers, smartphones and tablets.

• Yes, authorized users will be able to access data in NERIS via tailored views and dashboards for their department.

  Your data will also be available as interoperable data services via APIs in multiple formats. This will allow you to perform advanced queries more easily, enabling easy integration with other software and systems you may use for analysis and reporting. Our goal is a user-friendly and efficient data access experience.

• The assignment of new NERIS Entity Identification (ID) numbers will occur through appropriate entity verification processes. For entities that are Fire Departments, issuance of a NERIS Entity ID will involve approval by the respective State Fire Marshal.

  Unlike the current state-level FDID numbers, these new IDs will offer unique identification for fire departments on a national scale. This change aims to prevent duplication and confusion, ensuring more accurate data collection.

• The NERIS Entity ID is 10-digit alpha-numeric identifier for entities in the NERIS platform. The first two digits are letters which describe the entity type. Below are two examples:
  • FD is a fire department that provides fire services and may or may not include EMS services
  • FM is a fire marshal, which may be county, state, local, or tribal
  The middle five numeric digits are a geographic identifier — the FIPS code for the headquarters location of the entity or organization. The last three numeric digits are randomly generated to ensure uniqueness and to support multiple entities of each type headquartered within the same FIPS code.

• Individual fire departments retain ownership of their data.

  The system aggregates and analyzes the data, making it available to authorized users through customized views and APIs. While aggregated data views can be used for research and decision-making, the ownership remains with the individual departments.

Overview of Onboarding Process

• • Review Onboarding Timeline: Identify your department’s rollout month based on FEMA region. (VA Region #3 September 2025).
  • Engage Leadership Early: Communicate about NERIS with your decision makers.
  • Choose Reporting Method: Select the free NERIS app or integrate with your RMS provider.
  • Confirm Vendor Compatibility: Ensure your RMS and CAD providers are ready for NERIS integration.
• • Onboarding Completed by October 1, 2026
  • Day One Reporting January 1, 2026
  • Regular Reporting to NEIRS by January 1, 2026
  • Mandatory Reporting Requirement for Aid to Localities (ATL) Grants from VDFP begins June 1, 2026