What's Happening?
Fire departments in Illinois are transitioning to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), replacing the 50-year-old National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). This change, overseen
by the U.S. Fire Administration, is set to take effect on January 1. NERIS provides cloud-based tools for data collection and analysis of emergency incidents, offering features such as local data ownership, GIS-based reporting, and training tools. Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow emphasized the importance of modernizing emergency data collection to strengthen public safety. The transition to NERIS is part of a broader move towards Next-Generation 911 services, presenting business opportunities for government technology suppliers.
Why It's Important?
The transition to NERIS is significant as it modernizes the way emergency data is collected and analyzed, potentially improving public safety and resource management. By adopting advanced data tools, fire departments can make more informed decisions, enhancing their ability to protect communities. This shift also opens up opportunities for technology companies to provide innovative solutions to government agencies, potentially driving economic growth in the tech sector. The move aligns with broader trends in emergency services modernization, such as the adoption of Next-Generation 911 services.
What's Next?
Illinois fire departments will receive NERIS onboarding information via email in the coming weeks, with the state encouraging departments to begin the transition process by visiting the NERIS website. The onboarding process includes account setup, administrator access, and integration with records management systems. As more states adopt NERIS, compliance rates vary, with some areas achieving up to 99% readiness. The transition is expected to continue across the country, with departments in over 30 states indicating plans to switch to NERIS.
