North Dakota Fire Departments Begin New Emergency Reporting System

(File image)

(KNOX) – A major shift is underway in how North Dakota’s fire departments report and analyze emergency data. The State Fire Marshal’s Office announced today that departments statewide are beginning the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) a secure, cloud-based platform designed to modernize emergency incident reporting and improve data-driven decision making.

The move to NERIS marks the first major upgrade to the nation’s fire data system in more than four decades, replacing the aging National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). 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) at UL Research Institutes, NERIS is part of a national rollout giving local departments real-time access to tools, analytics and insights all at no cost.

“For the fire departments of North Dakota this is a once in a generation opportunity to make reporting simpler, update our technology, and improve our fire data from local jurisdictions to state-wide.” Said Jon Godfread, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner.

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