NFIRS Coding Help
NFIRSGrams provide coding help to fire department personnel using the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
These short bulletins address frequently asked questions and common mistakes made when completing incident forms.
Coding Questions Guide
The Coding Questions Guide PDF contains instructions on how to code NFIRS 5.0 incident reports in a question-and-answer format.
If you have a question about NERIS, please contact their Help Desk at Helpdesk – Jira Service Management.
Latest NFIRSGram articles
March 9, 2020Updated: June 18, 2024
UPDATEDThe difference between reported and estimated fire data
Data Analysis
Learn how national fire estimates are calculated using reported incident data and NFPA estimates.
More NFIRSGram articles
- Topics:
- Basic Module (19)
- Battery Safety (2)
- Coding (19)
- Data Analysis (3)
- Data Quality (9)
- Other Modules (10)
Nov. 29, 2023
How to document wildfires
Coding, Data Quality, Other Modules
It is important to document wildfires in NFIRS completely and accurately to better understand the impacts they have in our country. Tips on how to code wildfires.
Nov. 29, 2023
How to code fire incidents involving lithium-ion batteries
Basic Module, Battery Safety, Coding, Data Quality, Other Modules
Learn how to code a NFIRS report for a fire incident in a vehicle, structure or equipment where a lithium-ion battery is present and involved.
Sept. 25, 2023
Using NFIRS to document smoke scares in other jurisdictions
Coding
Learn how to use the 'Incident Type Code 641 - Vicinity alarm' correctly, to document smoke scares in other jurisdictions.
Aug. 14, 2023
How to complete incident location/address fields
Basic Module, Coding
Learn how to complete incident location/address fields.
June 29, 2023
Documenting confined structure fires
Basic Module, Coding, Other Modules
Learn how to document confined structure fires.
June 22, 2023
Exposures and when to include them on your incident report
Coding, Other Modules
Learn when to include exposures on your NFIRS incident report.
June 21, 2023
Report remarks - telling the story
Basic Module
Lean how to enter beneficial content into the Remarks field.
June 21, 2023
3 reasons why the NFIRS is important
Data Quality, Data Analysis
3 reasons why it's important for your fire department to use NFIRS.
June 19, 2023
Dispatched and canceled en route
Basic Module, Coding, Data Quality
Learn how to correctly use the 'Incident Type Code 611 — Dispatched and canceled en route' when writing an NFIRS report.
June 19, 2023
Aid given or received
Coding, Basic Module, Data Quality
Learn how correctly use the 'Aid Given' or 'Received field (Block D)' in the Basic Module when submitting an NFIRS report.
June 13, 2023
Documenting casualties on an NFIRS report
Basic Module, Coding, Other Modules
Learn how to document firefighter and civilian casualties.
June 7, 2023
CAD systems and autopopulated fields
Basic Module
How to ensure that your CAD system is populating the correct data.
Aug. 18, 2022
Community Paramedicine
Coding, Other Modules
Learn how to code community paramedicine incidents.
Aug. 16, 2022
CSST installation as a contributing factor in a fire
Coding, Other Modules
Learn how to document confined structure fires.
Dec. 17, 2020
Documenting incidents when the time changes
Basic Module, Coding
Learn how to document times for incidents that occur during a time change.
Dec. 17, 2020
Documenting fire death incidents without a fire department response
Basic Module, Coding, Other Modules
This bulletin advises local fire departments not to report fire death incidents to the National Fire Incident Reporting System if the department doesn't respond.
Dec. 17, 2020Updated: Sept. 25, 2023
UPDATEDDetermining property use at the incident location
Basic Module, Coding
How to complete the Mixed Use Property and Property Use fields.
Dec. 17, 2020
Why getting the incident type right matters
Basic Module, Data Quality
Understand why getting the incident type field right matters.
Dec. 17, 2020
When is an incident not an incident?
Basic Module
Learn how to determine which fire department activities are not reported to NFIRS.
Dec. 17, 2020
Coding an electronic cigarette fire
Battery Safety, Coding, Other Modules
Learn how to code an electronic cigarette fire.
Dec. 17, 2020
Documenting equipment involved in ignition
Coding, Other Modules
Learn how to document equipment involved in ignition when the heat source is operating equipment.
Dec. 17, 2020Updated: Oct. 25, 2023
UPDATEDData quality
Basic Module, Data Quality
Learn how internal data quality checks are performed by the National Fire Data Center to identify data errors and to assist in fixing them.
Dec. 17, 2020
Understanding the 20-minute response warning message
Basic Module, Data Quality
Understanding the 20-minute response warning message.
June 6, 2020
Formatting your incident numbers
Basic Module, Coding, Data Quality
Options for coding dates into your NFIRS incident numbers.
Sept. 26, 2018
The use of plus-one codes
Coding, Data Analysis
Learn how to create and define plus-one codes.
Nov. 2, 2016Updated: May 6, 2024
UPDATEDCalculating fire loss on NFIRS forms
Basic Module
Learn how to calculate fire loss to accurately document a fire incident.
Oct. 5, 2016Updated: Sept. 25, 2023
UPDATEDDocumenting your response to a natural disaster
Basic Module, Coding
How to complete a report for response to a natural disaster or large-scale event.