September 2024

The California Incident Data and Statistics (CalStats) Program is a statewide emergency incident data collection program that analyzes and distributes statistical information reported by fire departments throughout the state. This includes collecting National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data from each fire department in California on behalf of the United States Fire Administration (USFA-FEMA).

CalStats also manages the CAL FIRE Incident Reporting System (CALFIRS). This system captures NFIRS data for CAL FIRE’s 808 fire stations statewide. These emergencies include fires, medical incidents, rescues, floods, hazardous material release, earthquakes, and other disasters. With the CALFIRS system, CAL FIRE is able to track all incidents they respond to.

NERIS is coming!

The new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is being developed to replace the outdated National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The goal of NERIS is to empower local fire agencies and the emergency services community by equipping them with near real-time information and analytic tools that support data-informed decision-making for enhanced preparedness and response to incidents involving all hazards.

If you haven’t heard of NERIS yet, watch the introductory webinar.

The CalStats program is preparing California to be NERIS-ready!

CAL FIRE and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are proudly representing California as key members of the NERIS Technical Advisory Panel. This involvement provides California’s fire service with first-hand insight into the development process and allows us to contribute our expertise in emergency services, data analytics, and technology integration. As subject matter experts for all California fire agencies, we are also playing a vital role in assisting with the onboarding process for our state.

Why is incident reporting important?

Incident data management is vital for documenting California's fire history and shaping our narrative. This data plays a critical role in supporting operational decisions related to fire management planning, risk assessment, resource allocation, research, policy development, and much more.



Effective and accurate report writing is one of the most important responsibilities for all fire service personnel. It ensures that the information we gather contributes to the safety and preparedness of our communities and informs future strategies.

NERIS Releases Key API Infrastructure to Enable Connected Services

NERIS is advancing its mission to modernize emergency response data management with the release of a new application programming interface (API) infrastructure—the first in a series of API launches.

This initial API focuses on three core data schemas: Fire Department Specification, Computer-Aided Dispatch, and Incident Data. It replaces outdated, manual processes (like zip files sent via email) with a streamlined system that enables near real-time data sharing and retrieval.



This is a significant step toward enhancing the connectivity and interoperability of emergency response services nationwide. It lays the foundation for modernizing how fire departments and emergency services collect, manage, and exchange data.

After Successful Prototype, NERIS Expands to 50 New Fire Departments in Beta Testing

Following the initial prototype testing with six departments, NERIS expanded its efforts in preparation for a national rollout. Fifty beta departments have been selected to participate in training and hands-on testing with the beta version of NERIS.



This marks the next phase of research and development, where the NERIS team will test department onboarding processes, gather feedback, refine system workflows, and ensure the platform meets the needs of fire departments of all sizes and operational scopes.

Looking Ahead

FSRI and the NERIS team will work closely with the newly onboarded departments to ensure NERIS is fully equipped to meet the dynamic and evolving demands of emergency response data management. An additional 100 fire departments will participate in the rollout of NERIS Version 1, coming soon this Fall. This effort aims to reduce the time spent completing incident reports, making the process more efficient and streamlined.

For more information, visit the FSRI- NERIS website.

NFIRS Data Submission

Monthly NFIRS data files are due by the 15th of the following month.