How does our department do business with Emergency Reporting?
Emergency Reporting works very hard to see that the process of working with us is very easy for you.  Specifically, we respond quickly to your questions about the system, and provide ample opportunity to review the system, without obligation. 

Upon becoming a customer, we provide all updates to the system, for NFIRS and NEMSIS / NHTSA upgrades, at no cost to you. 

If you decide to leave Emergency Reporting, for any reason, we will export all data in comma delimited format for your use in other applications.  Finally, you should expect all of this to occur at a competitive price and within very reasonable terms. 

How can I trust your company?
Ask Emergency Reporting customers about our credibility and the trust we've earned with them.  Contact us by email or telephone to discuss your concerns; an onsite technology audit of our data center and management is welcome.  Also, in the unlikely event Emergency Reporting is not able to continue operations, the software source code, which is held in escrow, will be distributed to all beneficiaries. All customers have the option of being named a beneficiary. 

How long have you been in business?
Emergency Reporting was incorporated in January 2003 (Reporting Systems, Inc) as a Washington State corporation. 

Is the company public or privately held?
Emergency Reporting is privately held by two officers, both are involved in daily operations.

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.

What is "web-based software"?
Emergency Reporting hosts the system, or fire / EMS records management and reporting software, at a secure Data Center.  The Data Center provides exceptional access to the Internet, in order for customers world-wide to access.  Emergency Reporting users access the system from anywhere using the Internet; no software is required on a users computer, other than a standard Internet Explorer web-browser.  The web-based software is also available for installation on a department's network. 

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 web-browser (free - standard Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater) on your computer to operate.  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 sensitive information. 

Is the Data Center secure?
Yes.  The Data Center hosting the Emergency Reporting system is arguably safer than your department's hosting environment. 

We want to inspect the Data Center and do a technical audit, is that possible?
Yes.  Onsite technical audits are available to prospects and customers of Emergency Reporting, upon discretion of Emergency Reporting.

What kind of computer and Internet connection do we need?
Any computer that can operate an Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher web browser, with 56k or higher access to the Internet, is sufficient to operate the system effectively.  A free demo of the system from your computer will quickly determine if your system meets the standard.

How often is the system down?
Less than .1% of the time!  In the event of a system failure, backup procedures are in place to ensure system data is not lost, and the system is made available as soon as possible.  Emergency Reporting does perform system upgrades and maintenance, with proper warning to all customers, where the "downtime" is minimal, usually around 15 minutes.

Do you make changes to the system?  How do I know?
Yes, Emergency Reporting continues to refine the system by adding features and improving the way it works for customers.  When updates are visible, we'll send you an email detailing the changes.  Otherwise, modifications not seen by the user are not announced.  

Can data from other fire or EMS software be imported in Emergency Reporting?
Yes, Emergency Reporting can import data from other software, provided the data is made available in XML, SQL, Access or a comma-delimited format.

Can Emergency Reporting interface with our CAD?
Most likely.  If the CAD can export data in XML, or a comma delimited format, we can import the data.  There is a fee for our service and there will be a fee from your CAD provider.

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. 

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 access the system—at the same time.

Can I really do a fire report from anywhere?
Yes, you can access the system ANYWHERE accessible via the internet!  This includes at home, at your fire house, hotel, public library, or atop Mount Everest.

What if we have ideas for making the system better?
Tell us your ideas!  Emergency Reporting continues to expand based on our working knowledge of what first responders and administrators need, and the suggestions of our customers from all across the country. 

Our department has special requirements for fire and EMS software, can you help us?
Let's hear what you have in mind; we work with departments from all over the country on improving the system.  We even develop custom software to meet the specific needs, if there is demand for the system.

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.

Why should we use your system instead of the others?
To name a few reasons: simple usability of the system, unlimited concurrent user capability, free updates, free tech support, very competitive cost, NFIRS + NEMSIS data integration, free wireless capability and superior customer support! We also suggest you read "Why Choose Emergency Reporting" on this web site.

How accessible is our data to us for reports, 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 ER system includes commonly requested reports for immediate use. You can also export your entire account's data into a Microsoft Access file to run special custom reports offline.

What does it cost?
The fee is based on the size of a fire department or EMS agency. Emergency Reporting charges a flat fee for the type of package your department orders, and the number of physical fire or EMS stations within your department or agency.

How long of time period does a standard contract last?
Emergency Reporting allows a department to set the contract length. We have agreements running month to month up to five years.

Do we own the entered data?
Yes, the data is legally yours.

Is the system HIPAA compliant?
Yes.

Can your system handle Incident photos?
Yes, the system will store incident photos as well as a host of others, Personnel, Apparatus, Equipment, Inspection, etc.

What about links to our EMS billing company, can you help?
Yes, most likely. We provide the technical parameters to your billing software company and a link is established. There is an additional fee for this service; Emergency Reporting will provide a quote for this service if we know the billing software company and their technical specifications for receiving data.

Can we connect TeleStaff to our Emergency Reporting account?
Yes; Emergency Reporting will provide an electronic link from TeleStaff to the system; this service requires a fee from both TeleStaff and Emergency Reporting.

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 us for a demo on how this will work and the price format.

What is VISION risk assessment software, and what's in it for me?
Emergency Reporting partnered with the Commission of Fire Accreditation International to create the software for fire departments and municipalities to provide risk assessment analysis and comparative analysis with departments of similar size around the country. VISION is a web-based system and can be fully integrated with the Emergency Reporting system. Request a demo account at www.emergencyreporting.com

What is the NEMSIS or NHTSA 2.2 standard and are you compliant?
Emergency Reporting meets the data set standards established by NEMSIS (www.NEMSIS.org). When updates to NEMSIS are announced, Emergency Reporting will update the system, at no cost or effort to the user.

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. 

Is there a User Manual?
Yes. You may access the User Manual, in PDF format, on the Support page. Access of the User Manual requires Adobe Acrobat Reader (download a free version at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)

How do I report my NFIRS fire reports to the state?
Emergency Reporting handles monthly or quarterly data submission – processing, validating, and delivery – to your NFIRS state authority, while each department controls when monthly reports are ready for submission.  Use the NFIRS Export List table, available in the Administration module, to track the number of Incidents in your system ready for export to the state, and which reports need to be reviewed.  Only REVIEWED calls from your account are sent on to the state.  Only perform one export per month, instead of export multiple times for one month.

How do I report my NHTSA EMS reports to the state?
Currently, Ohio is the only state ready to accept EMS files according to the NHTSA 2.2 file format.  Ohio customers with EMS included in their Emergency Reporting account control when NHTSA files are submitted to the state with the NHTSA Export List table, available in the Administration module.