Fire departments in Tennessee have started transitioning to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), according to the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The department confirmed that NERIS is replacing the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), which will be decommissioned on January 1, 2026.
The platform, supported by the U.S. Fire Administration and other federal partners, is designed to modernize how fire and emergency services document and analyze incident data.
According to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI), the new system offers cloud-based reporting, GIS mapping, and data dashboards that are accessible at no cost to local agencies.
TDCI Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence encouraged departments to begin the onboarding process immediately.
Lawrence said: “As Tennessee’s state fire marshal, I am committed to helping our state’s fire departments and emergency responders get the tools they need to protect their communities, manage their resources effectively, and make decisions backed by current data.
“The adoption of NERIS is a critical step toward further strengthening Tennessee’s public safety.
“I urge all Tennessee fire chiefs to get started as soon as possible on the important process of transitioning to NERIS.”
The department added that early adoption will help ensure a smoother transition process before the existing NFIRS platform is shut down.
According to the SFMO, the NERIS platform includes several features aimed at improving local data usage and operational visibility.
These include GIS-based location reporting, customizable dashboards for performance tracking, and full data ownership by each agency.
The SFMO stated that the onboarding process is designed to be straightforward, with training tools and a help desk in place to support departments through account setup, administrative access, and records system integration.
NERIS also allows departments to manage their data without third-party restrictions, the office noted.
Tennessee’s transition to NERIS is part of a wider move across FEMA Region 4, which also includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
According to the SFMO, the phased national rollout is being led by the U.S. Fire Administration, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, and the Fire Safety Research Institute, part of UL Research Institutes.
FSRI Executive Director Steve Kerber said: “NERIS is purpose-built for today’s fire service.
“It’s based on research and feedback from the field, and it delivers actionable information that improves emergency response and supports long-term planning and resourcing at the local, state, and national levels.”
Departments are encouraged to begin onboarding through the official NERIS website.
For further support, the SFMO directed departments to contact the NERIS Help Desk or Kyle Evans, SFMO Fire Data/NERIS Program Manager, via email or phone.
Tennessee fire departments have begun moving to the National Emergency Response Information System.
The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the platform replaces NFIRS, which will be decommissioned in 2026.
NERIS is supported by USFA, DHS S&T, and FSRI as part of a national rollout.
The system is cloud-based and offers tools such as GIS mapping and performance dashboards.
According to the SFMO, NERIS is free for all public fire and EMS agencies.
Departments retain ownership of their data under the new system.
TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence urged early onboarding.
Lawrence stated that using NERIS will support better decision-making and resource planning.
FSRI Executive Director Steve Kerber said the system was developed using field input.
Fire agencies in FEMA Region 4 are part of this transition.
The SFMO said onboarding support is available through NERIS and internal program staff.
