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​​​​Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System (PennFIRS)

PennFIRS is the statewide system utilized by fire departments in PA to report and manage incidents. The OSFC is responsible for reporting that data for inclusion in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Fire departments must use NFIRS 5.0-compliant software to report incidents into PennFIRS to be eligible to receive any OSFC grant money.

 We are currently engaged in a vendor selection process for PennFIRS Online reporting. Here is the current status (updated 3/21/24):

  1. The OSFC is continuing to research and evaluate reporting vendors that will be NERIS-compliant as the US Fire Administration updates its requirements for reporting, which are expected to launch in Fall 2024.
  2. The OSFC is still in the procurement process and no final decisions have been made.
  3. Until we reach an agreement with a vendor for baseline PennFIRS reporting modules, Emergency Reporting will continue to remain in service.
  4. Additional updates will be provided as the process develops.
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PennFIRS Online: NFIRS Software

NFIRS reporting is done electronically, so the USFA has developed a standard NFIRS package that includes incident and casualty forms and a coding structure consistent with the National Fire Protection Association Standard 901, Uniform Coding for Fire Protection. NFIRS 5.0 expands the collection of data beyond fires to include the full range of fire department activity on a national scale. It is a true all-incident reporting system.

Fire departments can use any NFIRS 5.0 compliant software to submit their reports. Beginning July 1, 2015, the Office of State Fire Commissioner will make available a new product, Emergency Reporting (www.emergencyreporting.com) that our office calls PennFIRS Online. Emergency Reporting will provide to each department a free PennFIRS package (including maintenance agreements) to any fire department in the state wishing to participate. PennFIRS On-Line meets all the basic National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS 5.0) criteria. All data entered by a fire company/department should be submitted to OSFC and in turn will be forwarded to NFIRS. Modules provided free of charge include the incident module, reports module, my profile module, library module and administration module. Additional modules may be purchased directly from Emergency Reporting.

  • NOTE:  Effective July 1, 2015, current users of FH.Net (Firehouse Software) will be responsible for all costs associated with continued use of Firehouse products. For technical support, contact Firehouse Tech Support directly.

  • NOTE:  OSFC no longer has the ability to help with questions/issues with Firehouse including resetting of passwords.  Any issues, please contact Firehouse Support directly at 1-800-921-5300 ext. 2.

Reporting Requirements

Departments wishing to apply for and receive a grant under the Fire Company Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program (FCVAS) beginning with the 2017-18 grant period must:

"The fire company shall also agree to participate in the (by fiscal 2016) and report (by fiscal 2017) information (incidents) using the Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System (Penn FIRS)" (Grant Guidelines)

After the 15th of each month, OSFC will post an "Incident Count Report by Month" for departments to check to ensure proper compliance. This monthly report and a report for the previous year are below:

Online User Registration

Email Ra-pennfirs@pa.gov to register for PennFIRS online.​

  • County
  • Fire Department Identification Number (FDID) (5-digit number only)
  • Fire Department/Company Name
  • Fire Department Street Address (No PO Box)
  • Fire Department/Company Mailing Address
  • Department Phone Number
  • Contact Name
  • Contact Phone Number
  • Contact Email Address
  • What incident software are you currently using

OSFC will verify your information and create your fire company/department account. Your designated contact will receive an email with instructions on how to set up a program and receive training. All submissions to this office will be verified prior to establishment of PennFIRS Online account activation.

Fire Department Identification Number (FDID)

To participate in NFIRS fire departments must have a fire department identification number (FDID). This is a five-digit number assigned to each department. In Pennsylvania, FDIDs are assigned by the state fire commissioner.

PA FDID’s are five-digit numbers consisting of a two-digit number for the county and a unique three-digit number assigned to the department by a county agency or association. This three digit number could be a company, station, zone, or district number.

Departments should always check with OSFC or your county EMA/911 agency before beginning to use an FDID. You can access a current list of FDID numbers (PDF) (updated Jan. 25, 2023).​