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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 10 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:

• NFIRS 5.0 Forms
• Reference Guide
• Coding Questions and Answers Guide

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 must contact the Division of Fire and Life Safety ANFIRS State Program Manger to establish a username and password to access the system.

To download the program, log in with the user name and password you used to register.

• Important Notice for Windows 7 or Windows Vista Operating System Users:
• Once you have downloaded and installed the software you will need to perform the following steps:
• Step 1:
• NFIRS Version 5.9 installs two folders on a Windows 7 or Windows Vista Machine as “read only” instead of “full control.” The setting should be changed to full control.
• Follow the instructions on how to remove read-only permissions from the NFIRS 5.x client directory that are provided in the following PDF document. A user should only have to do this once.
• Download PDF document here.
• Step 2:
• Click on "Start," hover over "Control Panel," and click "System."
• In the window that opens, click on "Advanced System Settings" on the left-hand side.
• Click on the "Advanced" tab.
• In the box labeled "Performance," click the "Settings" button.
• Under the "Visual Effects" tab, click the "Adjust for best performance" button.
• Click "Apply" to apply the settings.

NOTE: This will set your computer to run at best performance for ALL programs being used. If you are a “power user” and run multiple programs at the same time on a laptop while on battery power you will most likely see a drop in battery time.

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: