Logo courtesy of CAL FIRE

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced recently that fire departments across the state are beginning the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) — a secure, cloud-based platform built to modernize how emergency incidents are reported and analyzed.

Departments across the country are onboarding to NERIS as part of a phased national rollout led by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Research Institutes. NERIS is replacing the 40-year-old National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), and will provide local agencies with timely data tools, location-based analytics, and flexible options for incident reporting at no cost to departments.

“Modernizing emergency data collection is a critical step toward strengthening public safety,” said Chief Daniel Berlant, California State Fire Marshal. “By utilizing NERIS, we are giving our departments better tools to protect our communities, manage resources effectively, and make informed decisions backed by current data.”

The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) offers several key features designed to support public fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies. The platform provides zero-cost access for all public fire and EMS departments, ensuring that every agency can take advantage of its capabilities without financial barriers.

NERIS also prioritizes local data ownership, allowing departments to maintain full control over their records and information. Its GIS-based reporting tools deliver location-specific insights that support better planning and decision-making.

In addition, the system includes actionable dashboards that enhance operational awareness and performance tracking. To make adoption easier, NERIS offers streamlined onboarding, complete with help desk support and training tools.

Departments can begin the onboarding process today by visiting the NERIS website. The process includes account setup, administrator access, and records management system (RMS) integration, if applicable. “NERIS is purpose-built for today’s fire service,” said Steve Kerber, Executive Director of FSRI. “It’s based on research and feedback from the field, and it delivers actionable information that improves emergency response and supports long-term planning and resourcing at the local, state, and national levels.”

CAL FIRE – OSFM encourages all departments to complete onboarding as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition. The current national data platform, NFIRS, will be formally decommissioned on January 1, 2026. For additional questions or technical support, departments can contact the NERIS Help Desk or the CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal directly.