National Fire Incident Reporting System Program Management NFIRS PM-Student Manual 3rd Edition, 1st Printing-November 2007 FEMA/USFA/NFA NFIRS PM-SM National Fire Program Incident Reporting November 2007 3rd Edition, 1st Printing System Program Management National Fire Incident Reporting System Program Management NFIRS PM-Student Manual 3rd Edition, 1st Printing-November 2007 NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY FOREWORD The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was established in 1979. FEMA's mission is to focus Federal effort on preparedness for, mitigation of, response to, and recovery from emergencies encompassing the full range of natural and manmade disasters. FEMA's National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, includes the United States Fire Administration (USFA), its National Fire Academy (NFA), and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). To achieve the USFA's legislated mandate (under Public Law 93-498, October 29, 1974), "to advance the professional development of fire service personnel and of other persons engaged in fire prevention and control activities," the U.S. Fire Administration has developed an effective program linkage with established fire training systems which exist at the State and local levels. It is the responsibility of the USFA to support and strengthen these delivery systems. The field courses of the USFA's National Fire Academy have been sponsored by the respective State fire training systems in every State. The USFA's National Fire Academy is proud to join with State and local fire agencies in providing educational opportunities to the members of the Nation's fire services. iii NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM PROGRAM MANAGEMENT iv NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Foreword ............................................................................................................................................ iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................... v Goal of the Course.............................................................................................................................. ix Student Outcomes............................................................................................................................... ix Target Audience ................................................................................................................................. ix UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION..................................................................................... SM 1-1 UNIT 2: THE NFIRS SYSTEM.............................................................................. SM 2-1 UNIT 3: NFIRS QUALITY ASSURANCE............................................................ SM 3-1 UNIT 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS....... SM 4-1 UNIT 5: MANAGING NFIRS................................................................................. SM 5-1 v NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM PROGRAM MANAGEMENT vi NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM PROGRAM MANAGEMENT COURSE GOAL Use NFIRS and evolving technology to assist the fire service and information partners in making better decisions that address fire and life safety issues. STUDENT OUTCOMES 1. Shape the future of the fire service and fire service response to community needs through the effective use of information. 2. Understand the roles and responsibilities of players involved in NFIRS. 3. Identify and explain the benefits of collecting and compiling incident data through NFIRS. 4. Apply code strategy principles to better document incidents. 5. Understand and apply proper data analysis and data presentation techniques. 6. Select and use proper methodologies to support the decisionmaking process using NFIRS data. TARGET AUDIENCE Administrative fire officers, systems operations (data entry/support staff), and system management/ administration staff. Individuals who need the knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage a reporting system vii NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM PROGRAM MANAGEMENT viii NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM PROGRAM MANAGEMENT COURSE SCHEDULE DAY 1: Unit 1 Computer Lab DAY 2: Unit 2 Computer Lab DAY 3: Unit 3 Computer Lab DAY 4: Unit 4 Computer Lab DAY 5: Unit 4 (continued) Computer Lab DAY 6: Computer Lab Unit 5 ix NFIRS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Module 1 – Introduction MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION Prerequisites Students are required to meet the following prerequisites before participating in this Module: Successfully complete the two-day Introduction to NFIRS Course; or Successfully complete the Introduction to NFIRS Self-Study Course; or Successfully complete an equivalent course offered through their State NFIRS Program Manager Terminal Objectives The students will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of the NFIRS program manager at the state and local level. Describe how the NFIRS program manager can impact the fire and emergency services issues in their state or community. Describe how the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) can have an impact on fire and life safety decisions. Describe the resources that help the program managers do their job. Enabling Objectives The students will: Identify the roles and responsibilities for managing the NFIRS program and how these are accom- plished in their respective jurisdictions. Describe the current level of involvement in their jurisdiction. NFIRS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Module 1 - Introduction Create an action plan to identify future initiatives to enhance participation. Identify opportunities for collaboration and organi- zational commitment that contribute to the success of NFIRS at the local state and national levels. Demonstrate the use of resources that help manage NFIRS. References Student Manual Your Student Manual (SM) includes a narrative text for you to highlight key points for some of the content and also can be used to make notes. During several of the units, you will be using your SM as a guide (or map) to the source documents. The SM will be your primary reference material once you return to your department. Page references to the source documents you will be using throughout the course are included in the SM. NFIRS Complete Reference Guide The NFIRS Complete Reference Guide is a line-by- line guide to the completion of the incident report modules. The handbook includes all of the code conventions. NFIRS Data Entry Tool Guide The NFIRS Data Entry Tool Guide is a guide for the entry, maintenance, and validation of incidents, as well as a detailed explanation and steps on how to use each tool. NFIRS System Administration Tool Guide The NFIRS System Administration Tool Guide is a guide for system administrators setting up and maintenance of group and users. SM MODULE 1-2 NFIRS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Module 1 - Introduction NFIRS Configuration Tool Guide The NFIRS Configuration Tool Guide is a guide for the setup of user options and local database access. NFIRS Web-Based Reporting Tool Guide The NFIRS Web-Based Reporting Tool Guide includes step-by-step instructions to generate, retrieve, and print reports from the Web-Based Reporting Tool. SM MODULE 1-3 NFIRS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Module 1 – Introduction SM MODULE 1-4 NFIRS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Module 1 – Introduction MAKING NFIRS WORK Fire department data collection has had a positive impact on citizen safety. Reports of fires in consumer products have led to investigations and recalls of certain coffee makers, televisions, and heating appliances. The success of the system is dependent on commitment at four levels. The first, and most important, is the local level. The success of the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) begins with the commitment of the local fire department and its personnel to the collection of accurate data in a timely manner. At the state level, the State Fire Marshal, or another agency that manages NFIRS, must support the efforts of fire departments that participate in the system and encourage the participation of non- reporting departments. The federal agency that administers NFIRS is the United States Fire Administration (USFA), and the National Fire Academy (NFA) provides NFIRS training opportunities. Working at the local fire agency level, the NFIRS Program Managers play a vital role in the system's success. Their responsibilities include managing the system, ensuring quality reports, providing feedback to their department, and increasing participation in NFIRS. Whether you have the title of NFIRS Program Manager or are involved in some other capacity, you can make a difference in the system. For instance, clerical and administrative personnel can influence the way NFIRS is managed. In order to influence (and improve) NFIRS, regardless of the title you hold, you must understand the big picture, from the mechanics of data collection to the importance of data to decision-makers at all levels of government. This course is designed to help you meet these challenges. We will use the five basic NFIRS program management functions listed below throughout the course: Planning Administration Training SM MODULE 1-5 NFIRS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Module 1 – Introduction Operations Communications COURSE OVERVIEW Course Goal Use NFIRS and evolving technology to assist the fire service