Alaska
National Fire Information Reporting System (ANFIRS)
The Alaska National Fire Inicident Reporting System (ANFIRS)
objective is to help Alaska develop fire reporting and analysis capability for
our own use, and to obtain data that can be used to more accurately assess and
subsequently combat the fire problem at a State level. After we compile the data
from Alaska fire departments, we forward it to the United States Fire
Administration (USFA) where they gather and analyze information on the magnitude
of the Nation's fire problem, as well as its detailed characteristics and
trends.
There are many objectives of ANFIRS. The information provides data that is
utilized in development of methods of reducing deaths and injuries as well as
loss to personal property. It provides a measuring tool for comparison of areas
in the state and states throughout the United States.
Although paperwork may seem to have little to do with fire protection,
firefighters who carefully document the causes of fires and the make model and
serial numbers of products involved in fires help identify how similar fires can
be prevented in the future.
With the implementation of the new
Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) in 2000, the Division of Fire and
Life Safety upgraded it's reporting system to meet this new standard.
With the transition to the new system the Division of Fire and Life Safety
implemented the following policies:
The State began using the new NFIRS 5.0 software on January 1, 2000. Incident
reports in the 4.1 format was accepted through December, 2000. By that time all
departments must have transitioned to the new format. The state will not accept
any incidents reported in other formats other than NFIRS 5.0. If a fire
department reports their incidents by any other means, their incidents will not
become part of the State statistics and the fire department will be considered
as "not reporting".
The NFIRS 5.0 reporting system is designed to be a computer based reporting
system.
The Division of Fire and Life Safety will furnish paper forms for incident
reporting but only to the departments that have less than 50 calls per year. All
fire or related incidents must be reported to the Division of Fire and Life
Safety on a form approved by the Division of Fire and Life Safety (13 AAC
52.020). All others must report electronically.
The NFIRS 5.0 forms, Reference Guide, and coding questions and answers can be
downloaded below:
In an effort to assist fire departments, the Division of Fire and Life Safety is
allowing the use of the Federal Client Tool, a software program for Version 5.0.
NOTE: Internet connection will be necessary. This will be distributed to fire
departments upon request and is being distributed at no cost to fire departments
but with the understanding that each department will be responsible for
installation and systems support issues.
- Departments interested in the program need to
register as a user with NFIRS. You will be notified when your account is
activated and given access to download the program.
- To download the program,
log in with the user name and password you used to register. In many cases a
third vendor's program may better meet a department's needs for training and
system support.
- For additional information about the Federal Client Tool, please check
NFIRS web site.
Registered fire departments must
report fires and related incidents as per
13 AAC 52.020. Departments not reporting as required may loose their
registration status.
The Division of Fire and Life Safety publishes statewide fire statistics once a
year. These statistics include a list of all communities reporting up to that
time and fire loss data yearly.
For further information please contact:
Marie Collins
5700 E. Tudor Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99507
Phone: (907) 269-5625
Fax: (907) 269-0102
