Key Dates
Pre-2024
NERIS Development
USFA and FSRI develop the NERIS standard with fire service input. Pilot testing with early-adopter departments.
2024
Voluntary Adoption Opens
Departments can begin submitting NERIS data. RMS vendors begin NERIS module development. State fire marshal offices start implementation planning.
January 1, 2026
NERIS Mandatory
All fire and EMS departments required to submit incident data through NERIS. NFIRS accepts no new submissions.
February 2026
NFIRS Sunset
NFIRS is permanently closed. No rollback. Departments operating without NERIS capability have no compliant incident reporting pathway.
Ongoing
State Implementation Variations
States implement NERIS requirements on their own timelines and with their own guidance. Implementation maturity varies significantly by state.
Where Departments Stand Now
As of early 2026, departments fall broadly into three categories:
Actively submitting
Department has NERIS access through RMS, is submitting incident data, and is working through officer training and report quality challenges.
Technically compliant, quality issues
Department has NERIS submission capability but report completeness and accuracy vary by officer. MEI gaps are common.
Still transitioning
Department is waiting on RMS vendor NERIS module, state implementation guidance, or has not yet begun NERIS training.
What Station Draft Addresses
Station Draft is designed for departments in all three categories — and most useful for those in the second and third. For departments submitting but struggling with officer report quality, Station Draft reduces the per-report burden and surfaces MEI gaps systematically. For departments still transitioning, the pilot provides early access as they get their NERIS workflow established.