How to use the Bulk Import Utility (BIU)
Our step-by-step reference guide, Using the Bulk Import Utility (PDF), shows departments how to self-submit their vendor software incident reporting data files in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) provides free training and how-to videos.
If a department self-submits data files, they do not need to email their data to the TEXFIRS section. Data files must be from vendor software.
NFIRS 5.0 guide and design documentation
The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) documentation provides users step-by-step instructions for submitting fire incident information to NFIRS. It also provides third-party vendors specifications for developing compatible software.
Resources
- Important TEXFIRS / NFIRS Information for entering data about fires involving children or youth (PDF).
- NFIRS/TEXFIRS Field Collection Sheet. Use only as a field worksheet, not as an approved incident report form.
- Incident coding reference sheet (PDF).
- NFIRS Step by Step Guide to finding your Incident Type (PDF).
- USFA training and how-to videos.
Understanding Your Role in Fire Incident Data
This is a recommended NFIRS training that addresses the root causes that contribute to the NFIRS reporting gap, and presents a training solution to assist fire departments across the nation with stronger reporting practices. The training is available at NASFM's training portal.
Alternate Location Specification – Latitude / Longitude Finder
Various online tools can help provide the alternate location of an incident, such as Mapquest Developer.
Self-Study Course
An introduction to NFIRS 5.0 course is offered on the National Fire Academy (NFA) online course website. This self-study course provides an overview of the data collection system, its modules and data conversion issues. Coding scenario exercises are also included. Students can complete the self-paced course 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or college credit are available for most NFA courses.
National Fire Incident Reporting System 5.0 Self-Study course (when you get to the webpage, scroll down to see the "Sign up now" button).
Instructions on completing an NFIRS report (PowerPoint)
This NFIRS PowerPoint training presentation can be used to support any local fire department basic NFIRS report-writing classes. This presentation has multiple modules in separate PowerPoint files and because of its size you will be downloading a zipped file, which you will have to unzip using the automatic unzip utility that comes with Windows or Mac OSX.
Instructions on completing an NFIRS report (PDF)
NFIRS 3 – Structure Fire Module
NFIRS 4 – Civilian Fire Casualty Module
NFIRS 5 – Fire Service Casualty Module
NFIRS 8 – Wildland Fire Module
Other NFIRS Training and Coding Help
The U.S. Fire Administration provides free NFIRS training to help fire departments and communities take full advantage of the benefits the system offers.
Incident Coding Reference Sheet – Listing of the NFIRS incident type, property use and actions taken codes for quick data entry reference.
NFIRS Coding Help – NFIRSGrams are short bulletins that provide coding help to fire department personnel using NFIRS. They explain:
- How to complete incident location/address fields
- How to code a hoverboard fire
- The use of plus-one codes
- Calculating fire loss
- Coding an electronic cigarette fire
- Documenting casualties on an NFIRS report
- Documenting equipment involved in ignition
- Documenting your response to a natural disaster
- Exposure: when to include them on your incident report
- Using the Summary Output Reports Tool to fight fire with facts
- Documenting confined structure fires
VERSION 5.0 Reporting System Class
Presented by the State Fire Marshal's Office
This eight-hour training session gives attendees hands-on experience completing incident reports on paper forms using the new TEXFIRS/NFIRS 5.0 system.
Fire departments interested in hosting a training class should contact TEXFIRS@tdi.texas.gov