Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Implementation is taking place department by department throughout the U.S. Regardless of size, your department can use the system. The NFORS modules and analytics have been designed to be user friendly, encourage accurate and timely data capture, and allow data exchange with systems like FireCARES.

The NFORS project was developed in parallel and is linked to the Fire Community Assessment Response Evaluation System (FireCARES) Project (www.firecares.org)

Please contact us to schedule a demo. You will need to provide your department's information as well as the primary POC and technical POC's information prior to the demo. Contact us to register for an NFORS demo via this link.

NFORS is designed to exchanged data with virtually any other data system.
The Analytics Module can be connected via your CAD, RMS, or in some cases - other data systems.
Data flow into the NFORS system (powered by StatEngine) and analysis is immediate. Results are displayed on your departments customized dashboard. Your dashboard is then ready for your live interaction. You can filter and drill down into your data for operational insights.
The Exposure Module connects with the Analytics module and with your staffing software or MDTs to provide the same immediately available data input and display for individual firefighters and paramedics. Read more about the Exposure Module here.

The Analytics Module can be connected via your CAD, RMS, or in some cases - other data systems. Please contact us to discuss the best method of data access for your department.

NFORS is comprised of three modules.
NFORS Analytics Module - Available Now
Firefighter Exposure Module – Available Now
Incident/Investigation Module - Coming Soon
Each module is stand alone with its own analytics but also connected with the other modules. All data are encrypted both in transit and at rest.

Both the Analytics and the Exposure Modules are available NOW.

The first module is known as NFORS Analytics. This module is implemented by connecting with a fire department's CAD, RMS (Records Management System), or data warehouse, for automatic extraction of operational data for ALL TYPE responses. The NFORS Analytics may require minimal programming modification to a local CAD to assure that the appropriate operational data elements are captured. As operational data flow from a local fire department CAD system into the NFORS Analytics Library, they are immediately analyzed and available for use in local department reporting. The data are updated as often as the department desires (usually every 5 minutes) and dynamic reports are continually updated. These data are also prepared for use in the fire department's FireCARES page.

The NFORS Firefighter Exposure Module is also available. This module is set up to operate on individual firefighter's and/or paramedic's personal device. The module is downloaded and then connects with the NFORS Analytics Module to cue responders to complete the exposure module following an incident response. If there is no exposure, then the firefighter clicks 'no exposure' and the incident is recorded in the diary. If there is an exposure, then the appropriate section in the app is completed with a few clicks and the data are recorded both in the national database and on the firefighter's personal device.
The Incident/Investigation Module is under construction coming soon. Once available, this module will complete the NFORS series. This module will add powerful insight for community risk reduction.

To get started implementing NFORS in your department, please send an email to contact us. A helpdesk ticket will be created and you will be contacted within 24-48 hours to set up a conference call to discuss implementation.

You may also schedule a DEMO right on the website. Select a data and during the demo we will show you the full capability of NFORS and discuss the technical aspects of getting connected. The DEMO will include a GoToMeeting session for a live demo of NFORS modules and analytics.

For the Demo, please include the Chief of Department, Operations Chief, IT expertise (and/or CAD Administrators), data administrators and/or accreditation manager as you deem appropriate. The entire process takes less than 1 hour.

Once the call is scheduled, please have everyone in the same room with a computer/projector setup with high speed internet connection - google chrome preferred.

If everyone is not in the same room, they should be at their own computer with an internet connection and Google Chrome.

Special Note: If desired, the same call can include a live walk through and a "hands on" demo of FireCARES so that you can learn as we go. If you want the FireCARES/NFORS combined demo, please go to firecares.org to get a login before the demo. The Chief can get a login first and then authorize others by adding their emails to the system.

Starting May 1, 2021 - for all fire departments with initial contact and NFORS demonstrations, NFORS Integration and sustainment costs include the following:

One-time base implementation cost includes $6,000 to connect with a CAD or RMS via dedicated API or NFORS integration partner. Base integration cost also includes one year of historical data, up to six data enrichments, and set up and onboarding of all personnel onto the Exposure Module.

Departments may also choose to add additional years of historic data. Costs for historic data is dependent on whether the data are from the same source as the integration connection and whether significant data cleaning is needed. Estimates will be provided following discussion at the initial NFORS meeting.

Following implementation there is a 30-day trial period. During the trial, users will receive initial training and additional support for rolling out the Exposure Tracker to field responders.

Following the 30-day trial, a subscription fee will be instituted based on population covered:

• Up to 100,000 population = $8,000
• 101,000 - 250,000 population = $12,000/year (paid annually)
• 251,000 - 500,000 population = $17,000/year (paid annually)
• 500,001 - 1 million population = $25,000/year (paid annually)
• Greater than 1 million population = $32,000/year (paid annually)

(All prices in USD)

NFORS Support Plans are available. The IPSDI offers 3 tiers of support plans for individual fire departments that offer additional support for the NFORS data system. The 3 tiers are titled Basic, Basic Plus, and Flex Plan.

NFORS is owned by the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI). The International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI) is the leading research, development, and training organization focused on using data science to provide analytical tools and information to the public safety sector. IPSDI procures, assembles, analyzes, and reports information from fire, rescue, and law enforcement data. IPSDI provides live dashboards for local public safety agencies to assure usable information about their operations.

Local Fire Departments still own their data. All data are also accumulated into a national database that lives on Amazon Web Services (AWS) in a secured environment. The data are curated and managed by the FireCARES/NFORS Project Team. This is the same group of fire service partners that conducted the NIST Residential and High-Rise Studies.

• Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
• The Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI)
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
• Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM)
• The University of Texas at Austin
• Urban Institute
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI)
• United States Fire Administration (USFA)

Local Fire Departments can always access their own data real time. Additionally, bonafide researchers can request access to aggregate deidentified data for exploratory and surveillance studies. Researchers should send an email through the 'Contact Us' portal for consideration. A data use agreement is required and will be provided. Researchers seeking to work with select individual fire department data, must have the permission of the fire chief to use the data. Data use agreements can be requested through the IPSDI.

FireCARES and NFORS are parallel projects both funded by the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants. NFORS is a data gathering application (software) that links with a fire departments CAD or records management system (RMS) to ingest operational data directly without additional firefighter input. That data can then be analyzed with in the NFORS system for instant reports and it can be loaded into the FireCARES system for use in calculating and updating a fire department's Performance Score and Safe Grade.

NFORS can be used regardless of whether your department chooses to continue entering data into NFIRS. NFORS Analytics Module uses technology to link with the departments CAD, RMS, or other data resources to automatically upload data so no data entry is required. The Firefighter Exposure App (Module) requires minimal individual entry to create a career diary and provide exposure data for firefighter cancer surveillance projects. Since costs are low, NFORS is a great option for high level, live, real time analytics.