FAQ
About the Company
How can I trust your company-- especially when many businesses are struggling?
Emergency Reporting is a financially stable company in which the ownership team is directly involved with daily operations.
The cloud computing business model provides unlimited potential for future growth. Currently, Emergency Reporting serves over 45,000 first responders in fire-rescue, EMS agencies, USMC, Navy, Army, Air Force, nuclear power facilities, airports, NASA, ambulance companies, oil refineries and other agencies world-wide.
Emergency Reporting has many references for our services. References are available upon request. Please note that customers may download and store all of their agency data at anytime through the export tool.
Finally, the software source code for the Emergency Reporting system is held in escrow and customers may be named as a beneficiary in the unlikely event Emergency Reporting goes out of business. Details of this option are available upon request.
How does our department do business with Emergency Reporting?
We make the process of working with us as simple as possible. For instance, we return calls and emails as soon as possible, provide system demonstrations and training, write and post custom reports, create general "how-to" videos, and activate your agency’s account, with default codes and other settings, as fast as possible upon agreement.
The first step is to complete the FREE TRIAL form and an Emergency Reporting representative will contact you with the account access information and point out some of the system highlights.
How long have you been in business?
Emergency Reporting was incorporated in January 2003 as a Washington State corporation (Reporting Systems, Inc).
Is the company public or privately held?
Emergency Reporting is privately held.
Where are you located?
Emergency Reporting is located in Bellingham, Washington, about 90 miles north of Seattle, Washington and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia.
How can I learn even more about the company?
For more information, visit our blog and facebook page.
Why should we choose you instead of Fire----- software?
Emergency Reporting has many distinct technology and support related reasons why most fire/EMS agencies would benefit from working with us.
The short list is, the cloud-computing web-based approach, simple usability of the system, NFIRS data validation, unlimited concurrent user capability, free updates, free tech support, very competitive cost, NFIRS + NEMSIS data integration to avoid duplicating data entry, free wireless capability and superior customer support!
Top
Technology
What is "web-based software" or “cloud-computing”?
Emergency Reporting hosts the fire, EMS and risk assessment records management and reporting software application at a secure Data Center. The Data Center provides exceptional access to the Internet, where authorized customers world-wide may access their respective account. There is no software installation required on the user's computer (other than a web browser).
Do I need to install software on my computer?
No. The Emergency Reporting system is completely web-based, meaning you only need to have a standard web-browser to operate it. There is no software from Emergency Reporting to install or maintain.
Is the Internet safe for transferring data?
Yes. Emergency Reporting encrypts data transferred from our Data Center to clients anywhere via the Internet. The encryption process is the same process used for securing credit card information and other confidential and sensitive information.
Is the Data Center secure?
Yes. The Data Center hosting the Emergency Reporting system is secured by locked doors requiring fingerprint ID to access. Security cameras and other precautions and systems are in place to make certain the system within the Data Center functions within a safe environment.
We want to inspect the Data Center and do a technical audit, is that possible?
Yes. Onsite technical audits are available to Emergency Reporting prospects and customers at the company’s discretion.
What kind of computer and Internet connection do we need?
Any device that can operate a standard web browser, with 56k or higher access to the Internet, is sufficient to operate the system effectively. Small devices with small screens will have trouble navigating; however, iPads and larger work fine. A free demo account for you to use will allow for a “real-world” test.
How often is the system down, outside of scheduled maintenance?
In 2010, the Emergency Reporting system operated, with scheduled maintenance included, at 99.991% uptime. There was a total down-time of 44 minutes, 17 seconds. The 44 minutes and 17 seconds of downtime included:
- Transferring the entire system to a new Data Center.
- Upgrading all of our Data Center hardware.
- Upgrading of our database from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008.
- Upgrading load balancers in the Data Center.
- 18 system uploads/upgrades.
In the event of a system failure, multiple backup procedures are in place to ensure system data is not lost and the system is accessible as soon as possible. Emergency Reporting performs scheduled system upgrades and maintenance with a posted warning to all users accessing the system.
Do you make changes to the system? How do I know when?
Yes, Emergency Reporting continues to refine the system by making system enhancements and doing maintenance work. System modifications are posted in the Support section of the system. Please note this is a major point separating Emergency Reporting from other records management systems: When we make system enhancements, all customers benefit immediately without the need of installing patches or worrying about their computers supporting the software!
Can data from other fire or EMS software be imported in Emergency Reporting?
Yes, and for most cases it’s free! Emergency Reporting regularly imports data from NFIRS, hydrants, personnel, occupancies, apparatus and equipment files from other fire software companies. An Emergency Reporting can answer this question by reviewing an Excel file of the data to be uploaded to the agency’s account.
Can Emergency Reporting interface with our CAD?
Emergency Reporting works with many CAD vendors to transmit data directly from the CAD system into the incident report. It’s best to contact a to learn the specifics.
How hard is it to add users to the system?
Extremely easy! Have your account administrator add the new user to the system in minutes. Please note your agency can have unlimited users in the account, each with various permissions and each receiving their own welcome page.
We have several people who want to enter data at the same time, is that possible?
Yes, the system allows multiple concurrent users to complete reports, enter data and otherwise fuly access and use the system—at the same time.
Can I really do a fire report from anywhere?
Yes, you can access the system anywhere with internet access! This includes at home, at your fire house, hotel, public library, or from atop Mount Everest.
What if we have ideas for making the system better?
Tell us your ideas! Emergency Reporting continues to improve the system based on customer input and our first-hand working knowledge of first-response agencies and needs.
For more information visit our blog and facebook page.
Top
Reporting / Records Management
Is the system NFIRS compliant?
Yes. Emergency Reporting is an authorized Active Vendor recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration.
What happens when new updates are needed for NFIRS?
Emergency Reporting modifies the system to meet NFIRS requirements at no cost. The upgrades will not require you to improve hardware or install software.
How accessible is our data to us for reports and storage at our department?
You have 24/7 access to your data for exports for whatever reasons you have, including third-party software solutions.
What about "ad hoc" reports? Can we run our own special reports?
Yes. The Emergency Reporting system has 1,000 posted reports for immediate use or you can also export account data into a Microsoft Access file to run special custom reports offline.
What does it cost?
The Emergency Reporting service fee is based on the size of the agency and the type of package ordered. There is a one-time account setup fee and then a monthly service fee based on the number of staffed stations in the agency. There may be unlimited users on the agency account, each with their own access and welcome page. There are no hidden fees or costs.
How long of time period does a standard contract last?
There is no required timeframe for using Emergency Reporting services.
Do we own the entered data?
Yes, the data is legally yours and is not shared with any other party.
Is the system NEMSIS Gold compliant?
Yes. Emergency Reporting captures the data per the NEMSIS Gold data set standard; however, your state may require additional data. Please contact an Emergency Reporting to see if EMS data export to your state office is available.
Can your system handle Incident photos?
Yes, the system will store incident photos and video files. The Emergency Reporting Library module allows the agency to store all types of data files.
Can you link to our EMS billing company?
Yes, most likely we can encrypt and transfer EMS data directly from your account to the EMS billing party. In fact, we have partners who you may consider for handling your EMS billing, in which case they will pay for your agency to use Emergency Reporting services!
We have 15 different agencies in our fire district, can you service all our departments separately and collectively with reports?
Yes. Emergency Reporting is able to support multiple agencies within a fire district. Contact a for references and a demonstration of how this works.
For more information visit our blog or facebook page.
Top
Common User Questions
Now that I've signed up for the Emergency Reporting system, where do I start?
Once you've received the administrative login/password to access your department's account, you'll spend most of the initial setup time in the Administration module.
What type of support services are there?
Emergency Reporting provides telephone and email support during normal business hours. There’s also many support materials available 24/7 in the Support section of the system, including videos, print documents and an interactive support feature.
How do I report my NFIRS fire reports to the state?
This is another major advantage to working with Emergency Reporting. Once you authorize the NFIRS reports and submit, the reports are sent to the state. Any issue from that point is handled by Emergency Reporting. Because we validate the incident report, page by page, the submitted NFIRS report is accurate and your agency does not need to worry about receiving invalid NFIRS reports from the state.
