The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is updating its information and analytics. The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) will integrate data from multiple federal data sets, computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and other authoritative live data sources.

The platform will contain information on community risks including vulnerable populations, the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), drought areas and flood plains. It will also support rapid data capture from hostile event response, including response to structure fires, emergency medical incidents and hazardous materials events.

The new NERIS platform will replace the legacy data system with a secure, cloud-hosted platform that will fulfill the USFA’s National Fire Data Center’s (NFDC) obligation under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974.

Once NERIS is developed and operational, USFA will work to migrate fire and emergency service departments onto the new platform. The legacy system will remain operational throughout the transition process so all fire and emergency services departments should continue to use the current data system and maintain status quo until migrated to the new platform.