Overview

The Location section captures comprehensive location data for accurate incident mapping and analysis. Locations in NERIS do not require an address. If the address is not available, you can add a polygon on a map defining the area of the incident.

Disclaimer 

NERIS is currently under development by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). This guide reflects the system as implemented in EPR FireWorks. Functionality may evolve as NERIS continues development toward full national implementation by January 2026.

To define location information, follow these steps:

1. Complete location info
2. Add exposures.
3. Select the location type and subtype.

Completing Location Info

To define the incident address or polygon, follow these steps:

1. Determine whether the incident location is associated with a parcel address.
2. If you answered Yes, complete the location details below. If you answered No, skip this step.
3. If you marked No, do as follows. If you answered Yes, skip this step.

1. Using the toggle bar, select Pin or Area 
   for the type of location you are going to mark on the map.
   
   

2. Mark the location on the map.

1. If you selected Point, click the location on the map.
2. If you selected Area., click the edges of the polygon you are marking up. When finished, click Save Polygon
   .
   
   

Adding Exposures

Exposures in NERIS are defined as property or structures damaged or destroyed by the originating source of the hazard. An incident can include multiple exposures.

Example: The structure fire spreads to vehicles in the parking lot. Each vehicle is regarded as an individual exposure.

To add exposures, follow these steps:

1. to the right of Location Info
   , click Add Exposure.
   
   

2. Define the Exposure Type (Internal/External).
   
   

3. Complete the following exposure fields:

3. Type of Property
4. Was There Damage
5. Exposure Apt. Suite (if applicable)
   
   

4. Click Show Map
   . Mark the exposure on the map.
   
   

5. Repeat steps 1-4 for all exposures related to the incident.

Selecting Location Type

1. Select the appropriate Location Type and Subtype 
   for this incident. The location types and subtypes are described in the tables below.
   
   

2. Answer the following questions:

1. Is the location in use?
   If you answered No, select the reason for vacancy.
2. Were people present?
3. Is the location used as intended?
   If you answered No
   , define whether the secondary use impacted the incident response.
   
   

3. Select a secondary location type and subtype (if applicable).
   
   

4. Record the number of people displaced by the incident (if applicable).
   
   

Location Types