LAKEWOOD, Colo. — West Metro Fire is on the short list to test a prototype emergency system to provide firefighters with more complete response information. The system is called NERIS, which stands for 'National Emergency Response Information System'.
"It’s a game changer. The current system hasn’t been updated for over 20 years, it’s very difficult to extract information from, so we make decisions based on data," West Metro fire Division Chief of Risk Management, Steve Aseltine said.
The goal is to provide firefighters with real-time information and analytic tools that can enhance preparedness and response to emergency calls, including vulnerable populations.
“One of the areas that we can look at is, are we deploying resources of the right size? The right type of place at the right time? Utilizing the system, we will be able to recognize response performance in a much more timely manner and be able to adapt our deployment and meet the needs more efficiently," Aseltine said. "It will also track different populations and demographics within the system. So we can recognize, just by analyzing the data, are certain types of hazards or risk affecting underrepresented populations or different areas of the community that then we can adjust how we respond to."
The six fire departments use NERIS to record details after dealing with structure fires, hazmat incidents, emergency medical calls as well as future pandemic emergency preparedness.
The six fire departments selected to use the prototype version of NERIS include:
- West Metro Fire Rescue, Colorado
- Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Virginia
- Frisco Fire Department, Texas
- Orange County Fire Authority, California
- Springdale Fire Department, Arkansas
- Upper Merion Township Fire & EMS Department, Pennsylvania
“One of the cooperators in the system is NOAA, so they’ll be able to provide real-time data into the system at the same time we’re utilizing, so we can attach different weather patterns emerging into events," said Aseltine.
All six fire departments are utilizing NERIS in a limited capacity until fire crews can access the full version in the fall. By 2026, fire departments across the country will have the program available to them and it will be free.
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