Why Your VFD Should Report to NERIS: It's Not About Perfection

“But We’re Not FDNY.” Exactly. That’s Why You Need to Report.

Let’s be direct, Chief. With the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), it’s easy to feel like it’s just one more administrative headache. You might be thinking, “We’re a small volunteer department. Our data isn’t perfect. Why take on one more pointless chore?"

That thinking, while understandable, is unfortunate. The fact is, your data is powerful. And no, it doesn't need to be perfect.

Yes, your State Fire Marshal will likely tie grants and other incentives (or penalties) to NERIS compliance. That’s a compelling reason on its own. But the real value of reporting goes far beyond checking a box for the state. It’s about telling the true, unvarnished story of the volunteer fire service in America.

Perfect is the Enemy of Good

Are you worried about not having exact timestamps for every single action on a call? Do you hesitate because you can’t capture every detail with the precision of a fully-staffed career department?

Stop.

We are not trying to be FDNY. We are trying to convey the reality of our situation. When this data is aggregated on a national level, the minor details—a minute plus or minus on a response time—fade into the background. The big picture emerges from the collective data of thousands of departments just like yours.

What matters is the trend, not the single data point. What matters is the story, the big picture.

Your Data Tells the Story That No One Else Can

Without your reports, the people making policy decisions are flying blind. They don’t know the reality on the ground for volunteer departments. NERIS is your chance to give them a clear view of what’s really happening.

Your “imperfect” data answers the critical questions:

• How many people actually respond? It documents the struggle to get enough boots on the ground for a daytime structure fire versus a weekend medical call.
• How many calls are you really handling? It proves that your “quiet” VFD is running dozens or hundreds of calls a year, providing essential services to your community.
• How much is that old engine really used? It shows the wear and tear on your apparatus, building a data-driven case for that next AFG grant application.
• How much time are individuals giving? It quantifies the incredible sacrifice your members make, translating their volunteer hours into a powerful statement of community value.

This is the information that gets buried. It’s the story that can only be told through aggregated data. If you don’t report, you are effectively silencing your department and weakening the voice of the entire volunteer fire service.

See the Forest, Not the Trees

By contributing to NERIS, you are helping to build a national picture that will:

• Identify Emerging Hazards: Is there a rise in lithium-ion battery fires in rural areas? Is CSST-related lightning damage more common than we think? NERIS data will show us.
• Highlight Systemic Strain: The data will show the true operational tempo and the immense pressure on volunteer departments nationwide.
• Inform Better Policy: When legislators and federal agencies have real data, they can make better decisions about funding, training standards, and support for the fire service.

Your department is a vital piece of that puzzle. Don’t withhold your piece because you think it’s not perfect. In the world of big data, it’s the collective story that matters.

In Short: File Your Reports

The message is simple: File your reports. Even when the data isn’t perfect. Your contribution is essential for the future health, funding, and understanding of the volunteer fire service.

Responserack helps Volunteer Fire Departments get to NERIS & thrive.

Adam Jack, Responserack

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