Embracing NERIS reporting: Hexagon, First Due help fire departments enhance data-driven decisions
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The United States Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with multiple fire departments and fire service organizations, is rolling out the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). The existing National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) will sunset on January 31, 2026. This transition marks a new era for fire departments nationwide, bringing enhanced reporting capabilities and data-driven insights to support smarter decision-making.
Why NERIS?
NFIRS, though long trusted, has grown outdated and limited in its ability to provide modern data analysis and decision support. Its inconsistent data quality, delays in availability, and incomplete coverage have hindered agencies’ ability to make informed decisions.
NERIS was built to overcome these challenges by delivering higher-quality data, faster access, comprehensive participation, and expanded functionality. The platform also reduces the burden on agencies by streamlining reporting demands and providing a more resilient infrastructure for the future.
What is NERIS?
Developed by USFA, NERIS modernizes how fire service data is collected, analyzed, and applied. Beyond core incident data, it introduces new capabilities such as modules to capture firefighter safety and wellness information, plus deeper insights into incident response and outcomes.
Because of its streamlined incident model and integration with CAD, RMS, and GIS systems, NERIS minimizes duplicative data entry and reduces the administrative load on first responders.
HxGN OnCall: Facilitating the Transition
Hexagon’s public safety platform, HxGN OnCall Dispatch, plays a critical role in helping fire departments transition to NERIS. Designed for seamless integration, it ensures that agencies can capture and analyze data efficiently while aligning with the NERIS data model.
OnCall’s advanced analytics and intuitive interface enable fire departments to harness key data points, assess operational efficiency, and prepare compliance-ready reports. By providing real-time data, Hexagon CAD supports resource optimization, emerging risk identification, and proactive planning—all contributing to improved incident outcomes and community safety.
User-Friendly Functionality with First Due
To make the process even more streamlined, Hexagon has partnered with First Due to integrate NERIS reporting directly into customers’ CAD environments. This ensures that critical information such as incident details and apparatus response times are captured automatically.
First Due’s AI-powered documentation reduces manual entry, accelerates reporting, and increases accuracy. Compliance reports for state and local authorities can be automatically generated and exported, further reducing administrative workload.
As a cloud-based, mobile solution, First Due ensures accuracy at the point of entry with dynamic forms and real-time validation against NERIS and state requirements. This prevents common errors, saves time, and reduces the need for post-submission corrections.
In addition, First Due’s platform allows agencies to capture firefighter wellness and safety data, addressing a critical need in today’s fire service landscape. By integrating these capabilities within CAD, First Due supports a holistic approach to both incident management and responder well-being.
Safer, More Resilient Future
The launch of NERIS represents a transformative step in fire data management, strengthening prevention, response, and investigation capabilities across the United States.
With the combined support of Hexagon’s CAD systems and First Due’s reporting platform, fire departments can confidently transition into this new era—embracing data-driven decision-making that fosters safer, more resilient communities.
Explore Hexagon’s public safety platform
Christopher Carver, MPA, ENP, is director of market development for Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division. A 30-year public safety veteran, Carver served the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) before joining the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). As PSAP director for NENA, he supported improvements and operations for nearly 6,000 911 centers across the U.S.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with multiple fire departments and fire service organizations, is rolling out the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). The existing National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) will sunset on January 31, 2026. This transition marks a new era for fire departments nationwide, bringing enhanced reporting capabilities and data-driven insights to support smarter decision-making.
Why NERIS?
NFIRS, though long trusted, has grown outdated and limited in its ability to provide modern data analysis and decision support. Its inconsistent data quality, delays in availability, and incomplete coverage have hindered agencies’ ability to make informed decisions.
NERIS was built to overcome these challenges by delivering higher-quality data, faster access, comprehensive participation, and expanded functionality. The platform also reduces the burden on agencies by streamlining reporting demands and providing a more resilient infrastructure for the future.
What is NERIS?
Developed by USFA, NERIS modernizes how fire service data is collected, analyzed, and applied. Beyond core incident data, it introduces new capabilities such as modules to capture firefighter safety and wellness information, plus deeper insights into incident response and outcomes.
Because of its streamlined incident model and integration with CAD, RMS, and GIS systems, NERIS minimizes duplicative data entry and reduces the administrative load on first responders.
HxGN OnCall: Facilitating the Transition
Hexagon’s public safety platform, HxGN OnCall Dispatch, plays a critical role in helping fire departments transition to NERIS. Designed for seamless integration, it ensures that agencies can capture and analyze data efficiently while aligning with the NERIS data model.
OnCall’s advanced analytics and intuitive interface enable fire departments to harness key data points, assess operational efficiency, and prepare compliance-ready reports. By providing real-time data, Hexagon CAD supports resource optimization, emerging risk identification, and proactive planning—all contributing to improved incident outcomes and community safety.
User-Friendly Functionality with First Due
To make the process even more streamlined, Hexagon has partnered with First Due to integrate NERIS reporting directly into customers’ CAD environments. This ensures that critical information such as incident details and apparatus response times are captured automatically.
First Due’s AI-powered documentation reduces manual entry, accelerates reporting, and increases accuracy. Compliance reports for state and local authorities can be automatically generated and exported, further reducing administrative workload.
As a cloud-based, mobile solution, First Due ensures accuracy at the point of entry with dynamic forms and real-time validation against NERIS and state requirements. This prevents common errors, saves time, and reduces the need for post-submission corrections.
In addition, First Due’s platform allows agencies to capture firefighter wellness and safety data, addressing a critical need in today’s fire service landscape. By integrating these capabilities within CAD, First Due supports a holistic approach to both incident management and responder well-being.
Safer, More Resilient Future
The launch of NERIS represents a transformative step in fire data management, strengthening prevention, response, and investigation capabilities across the United States.
With the combined support of Hexagon’s CAD systems and First Due’s reporting platform, fire departments can confidently transition into this new era—embracing data-driven decision-making that fosters safer, more resilient communities.
Explore Hexagon’s public safety platform
Christopher Carver, MPA, ENP, is director of market development for Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division. A 30-year public safety veteran, Carver served the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) before joining the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). As PSAP director for NENA, he supported improvements and operations for nearly 6,000 911 centers across the U.S.
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