Incident Reporting and Records Management Software

NFIRS

NC Departments will start using the new NERIS run form starting with January 1, 2026.  All calls prior to that date must be completed on the NFIRS run form and submitted to the state.

  • NFIRS will be decommissioned sometime in February 2026.
  • 2025 incidents must be in the system before January 15, 2026. This will allow OSFM to release the data by the January 31, 2026 deadline.
  • Webpage on USFA with resources - https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfirs/sunset/
  • OSFM will have access to 2012 to present NFIRS data via the state ImageTrend Elite database IF you have submitted it to us or use the state software.

 

NERIS

NC Departments will start using the new NERIS run form starting with January 1, 2026. All calls prior to that must be completed on the NFIRS run form.

The NERIS run form will become the standardized tool for data collection and reporting across the state. However, integration with third-party vendors remains supported, ensuring that departments can continue using the systems they are most familiar with for daily operations—including ImageTrend, ESO, First Due, Fireworks, and other third-party platforms. To verify if your current vendor is approved, please visit https://neris.fsri.org/integration-partners. This flexibility is designed to make the transition as smooth as possible.

To explore a comprehensive data dictionary featuring terms, definitions, and detailed explanations of the data structure pertaining to NERIS, please visit the NERIS Data Dictionary at https://neris.fsri.org/data-dictionary.

If you have questions about North Carolina's NERIS compliance, onboarding, or the status of the ImageTrend NERIS Run Form, please contact Monna Gillespie at monna.gillespie@ncdoi.gov.

For questions about access or account assistance, please contact NERIS.

 

NERIS Frequently Asked Questions

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The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is the nation’s primary source for comprehensive fire and all-hazards emergency post-incident data. It is designed with the fire service to make reporting easier, reduce duplication, and provide departments with actionable insights and information to inform decisions. Each department owns its own data, while contributing to a larger national picture that helps local, state, tribal, and territorial agencies improve prevention, response, and firefighter safety. By connecting incident information through modern tools and secure integrations, NERIS provides insights that support better decisions, smarter resource use, and a clearer story of the fire service’s work and impact.

All North Carolina departments should complete Phase 1 of onboarding as soon as possible, which consists of creating a login to NERIS, verifying department information/GIS/Chief contact information, and entering RMS software vendor client ID number under the enrollment tab. You should have received an email from NERIS on July 9, 2025 that included a temporary password. If you are unable to locate it, please contact NERIS at NERIS@UL.ORG.

NERIS is a voluntary reporting system, but departments receiving federal funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program must meet incident reporting requirements. While incident reporting is not a prerequisite for applying for AFG Program funding, departments that receive funding must agree to provide information to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) for the grant's performance period, beginning January 1, 2026.

For participation accommodations, AFG funding recipients should consult the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and coordinate with the Federal grant officer.

NERIS modernization efforts began in October 2021 as part of a requirement to replace the legacy National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) due to security issues and lack of adaptability. Initial communication occurred through presentations at national fire service conferences and forums in 2021–2022.

The official public launch of NERIS development efforts occurred on May 9, 2023, via a joint Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA press release. Key communication milestones included:

  • Regular national webinars
  • Prototype launch announcement in March 2024
  • Beta launch announcement in August 2024
  • Version 1 launch in November 2024

NERIS used the most current and accurate information available for its initial station lists. However, some departments may be missing or inaccurate due to the datasets used to assemble the initial list or recent organizational changes (e.g., disbandment, consolidation, mergers).

If your department's information is incorrect or missing, please contact Adam Blythe at adam.blythe@ncdoi.gov.

North Carolina OSFM will have your NFIRS data (if submitted to us) from 2012-2025 in our state database repository.

Departments using a third-party Records Management System (RMS) should confirm with their vendor that historical NFIRS data is properly stored. Departments not using a third-party system should contact OSFM for guidance on accessing or storing their NFIRS data.

An Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules enabling software applications to communicate and exchange data. The application sending a request is the client, and the application sending a response is the server. For NERIS, your CAD or RMS is the client, and NERIS is the server.

The NERIS API is a RESTful service defined by the OpenAPI schema and written in Python. Access the NERIS API documentation here: NERIS Swagger API. For additional API information, visit Additional API Information.

Authorized users and vendors integrate with the platform by generating a client ID and client secret. The client ID publicly identifies the integration. The client secret, known only to the application and authorization server, acts as the application's password. Departments can enable a vendor's integration to their NERIS node, facilitating data transfer to and from the NERIS platform.

State NFIRS Data Reporting System - Elite by ImageTrend

OSFM purchased Elite Software. There is no cost to North Carolina Fire Departments and County Agencies.

What is Elite?

Elite is an internet based comprehensive NFIRS 5.0 compliant records system developed by ImageTrend.

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  • Free to all NC
  • Nothing to download or install
  • Automatically reporting to the state
  • We take care of exporting to FEMA
  • You can use any device anywhere if you have internet service

  • NFIRS Data reporting
  • Inventory Management
  • Training/Certifications Tracking
  • Preplans
  • Hydrant log
  • Investigations
  • Field Inspections

  • CAD Integration
  • Continuum
  • Slate

What if I use a different third party software?

Departments using third party software ( i.e. Emergency Reporting, Fire House, Fire Programs..) for NFIRS reporting may continue by following exporting instructions provided by OSFM. You must send the reports to the NC Fire and Rescue Commission via email to NCDOI.OSFMNFIRS@ncdoi.gov. 

Departments who are using the USFA Data Entry - Online Reporting Tools must to switch to the Image Trend Elite software.

The Administrative Code requires all departments be NFIRS compliant to pass the fire department ratings inspection. All reports are to be submitted quarterly to meet the 120-day state submission rule as per 11 NCAC 05A.0910 Incident Reporting.

Failure to comply will result in probation for a period of time.

Further non compliance can result in the department failing their ratings inspection.

If you have any questions about incident reporting, please call Monna Gillespie at 1-800-634-7854 or 919-647-0088 or email monna.gillespie@ncdoi.gov. 

NC Fire Bridge Incident Reporting Status

Graph representing NC Fire Bridge Incident Reporting Status

 

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