Latest News
NFIRS 5.6.0 Client Software Maintenance Release: December 31st, 2008
To All NFIRS State Program Managers and USFA Client Software Users
The USFA NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.6.0 client software maintenance release has been released as of today instead of January 2nd to ensure that the 2009 edit and rule changes take effect as of midnight tonight. Applying the update does not require a full uninstall and reinstall for users of previous versions 5.5.0, 5.4.0, 5.4.1, and 5.4.2.
On-line Users of the USFA Software
After the Version 5.6.0 release is made available, upon login to the on-line system users of the USFA NFIRS software Version 5.5.0, 5.4.0, 5.4.1, and 5.4.2 will be prompted to update to the new version. After the update is applied, when the user opens the Data Entry Tool, a DHS system security notice will be displayed, and the user will click OK to agree to its terms and access the Data Entry Tool.
Off-line Users of the USFA Software
To obtain the update for Version 5.6.0, an Internet connection will be required. The user will change to the On-line mode and obtain the Version 5.6.0 software update. To complete the version update process, the user must change to Off-Line mode and perform User Injection.
Release Contents
The primary focus of the release of version 5.5.0 of the NFIRS software is the implementation of the 2008 edit and rule changes. These edit and rule changes are delineated at the end of the Specification Changes and Corrections document found on the Design Documentation page.
Please note in particular the following change:
NFIRS 4.1 formatted incidents (4.1 transaction file format and 4.1 master file format) with an incident date later than 12/31/2008 are rejected from conversion/import with a critical error. Any converted 4.1 incidents with an incident date later than 12/31/2008 are rejected from import with a critical error.
This information was posted on December 31, 2008
Maintenance Window Complete: December 31, 2008
The maintenance window is complete and the NFIRS 5.0 System is available.
This information was posted on December 31, 2008
NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Availability: December 31, 2008
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line system will be unavailable beginning Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 6AM EST until approximately 10AM EST as part of the preparation for the USFA NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.6.0 client software maintenance release that is scheduled to occur on the morning of January 2nd, 2009.
Users are asked to log off the system prior to 6AM EST and remain off the system until a notice is posted on the NFIRS 5.0 Home page that the maintenance window is complete and all services are available.
This information was posted on December 23, 2008
January 2009 Specification Cycle - Documentation Corrections
To All NFIRS 5.0 Vendors:
A number of corrections have been made to the preliminary Specification Cycle documents were released on Monday September the 29th. Preliminary Change #324 had an error where the Cleared Time and the Arrival Time were transposed in the second section of the two referenced edits. In addition, some of the "Change Dates" erroneously showed a year of 2007 instead of 2008. These issues have been corrected and the preliminary specification files have been reposted for download.
The new files have been given unique names (NFIRS_Spec_Changes_History_2009_R1.pdf and NFIRS_Spec_Tables_2009_R1.xls) so that they can be easily differentiated from the originals.
This information was posted on October 1, 2008
January 2009 Specification Cycle - Documentation Release
To assist Vendors in preparing for the January 2009 Specification Cycle Release, the Preliminary Specification Changes and Corrections Log (filename:
NFIRS_Spec_Changes_History_2009.pdf) and the Specification Tables (filename: NFIRS_Spec_Tables_2009.xls) have been updated to include the
changes that will be implemented in the January 2009 Specification Cycle.
The updated documents are posted in a separate section on the NFIRS 5.0 Design Documentation page.
The changes identified in the January 2009 Preliminary Changes and Corrections Log and Spec Tables will not be implemented in the live system until January 1, 2009.
This information was posted on September 29, 2008
NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool Back Online: Sept. 24th, 2008
To All NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool users:
The technical issues effecting the NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool earlier today have been resolved and the tool is again available for use. Please note that reports that were submitted earlier today may have been lost and will need to be rerun if so.
This information was posted on Sept. 24th, 2008
NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool Availability: Sept. 24th, 2008
To All NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool users:
Due to technical issues the NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool is again unavailable. NFIRS maintenance engineers are working to address the situation and notice will be posted once the issues have been resolved.
This information was posted on Sept. 24th, 2008
NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool Back Online: Sept. 22nd, 2008
To All NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool users:
The technical issues effecting the NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool earlier today have been resolved and the tool is again available for use. Please note that reports that were run after Saturday the 20th have been lost and will need to be rerun.
This information was posted on Sept. 22nd, 2008
NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool Unavailable: Sept. 22nd, 2008
To All NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool users:
Due to technical issues the NFIRS Summary Output Reporting Tool is currently unavailable (as of the morning of Monday Sept. 22, 2008.) Notice will be posted once it is back online.
This information was posted on Sept. 22nd, 2008
NFIRS 5.0 Web Reporting Availability: June 10th, 2008
To All NFIRS Web Reporting users:
NFIRS Web Reporting will undergo maintenance from 6:00AM EST until as late as 12:00PM EST on Tuesday June 10th, 2008. Any reports submitted between 4:00AM and 6:00AM that morning that have not completed processing by 6:00AM will need to be resubmitted once the Web Reporting system is back online. Additionally, while NFIRS Web Reporting may periodically appear to be available during the maintenance period any reports that are submitted during this time have a high likelihood of not completing. As such, please refrain from submitting reports until after 12PM on the 10th.
A notice will be posted on the front page of the NFIRS website once the maintenance period has completed.
This information was posted on June 5th, 2008
NFIRS 5.0 Web Reporting Availability: April 25th, 2008
To All NFIRS Web Reporting users:
NFIRS Web Reporting will be down for maintenance from 6:30AM EST until approximately 7:30AM EST on Friday April 25th, 2008. Any reports submitted between 4:00AM and 6:30AM that have not completed processing by 6:30AM will need to be resubmitted once the Web Reporting is back online. As such, please wait to submit reports until after 6:30AM on the morning of the 25th if possible.
This information was posted on April 24th, 2008
NFIRS 5.0 BIU Operating Normally: Friday April 11th
To All NFIRS Bulk Import Utility users:
As of approximately 5PM EST Friday April 11th the Bulk Import Utility has worked through its queue of pending import requests and is now current. If you submitted an import request through the Bulk Import Utility in the last six days and have not receive notice of its completion it is recommended that you resubmit the request.
This information was posted on April 11th, 2008
Continuing NFIRS 5.0 BIU Processing Delays: Friday April 11th
To All NFIRS Bulk Import Utility users:
Due to continued technical issues the queue of unprocessed bulk import requests remains unusually large. Bulk Import is again working its way through pending request queue. The bulk import requests continue to be processed in the order in which they were received. You may still experience a delay of upwards of a day or more before you receive notice of the completion of your request. A notice will be posted once bulk import has caught up on processing requests.
This information was posted on April 11th, 2008
NFIRS 5.0 Bulk Import Utility Processing Delays: Monday April 7th
To All NFIRS Bulk Import Utility users:
Due to technical issues encountered on Monday April 7th the queue of unprocessed bulk import requests grew unusually large. The technical issues have since been resolved and the bulk import requests are being processed in the order in which they were received. Due to the size of the queue there may be a delay of upwards of a day or more before you receive notice of the completion of your request.
This information was posted on April 9th, 2008
NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Availability: April 6th, 2008
The maintenance window that was previously scheduled for the evening of April 3rd has been canceled. A new maintenance window has been scheduled to take its place later in the week.
As such, the NFIRS 5.0 On-line system will be unavailable beginning Sunday, April 6th, 2008 at 9PM EST until approximately 5AM EST Monday morning for system maintenance.
Users are asked to log off the system prior to 9PM EST and remain off the system until a notice is posted on the NFIRS 5.0 Home page that the maintenance window is complete and all services are available.
This information was posted on March 31, 2008
Release of Vendor Validation Tool 4.11
To All NFIRS 5.0 Vendors:
The Vendor Validation Tool 4.11 is available on the NFIRS web site after successful login on the Vendor Section login. Instructions are available on the Vendor Downloads page.
The following rule and edit changes were incorporated into the Vendor Validation Tool in accordance with the January 2008 Specification Cycle:
- The Fire Module is now required for Incident Type "100" (Fire, other.)
- If any Age field value in any module < 0, a critical error is generated.
- If Incident Type is "112" (Fires in structures other than in a building), the Structure Type field entry on the Structure Fire module cannot be 1 or 2.
- If Property Use is "464" (Barracks, dormitory) then the Mixed Use Property field is required.
- If Arrival Time is 20 minutes or more after the Alarm Time then a warning is generated.
- The Time Arrived at Patient on EMS module may now be earlier than the Basic Module Arrival Date and Time to support situations where non-department care is provided.
- Upper entry range of the following fields are limited to the current year + 1: the "Mobile Property Year" and" Equipment Year" of the Fire Module and the "Mobile Property Involved in Release Year" and "Equipment Involved in Release Year" of the Hazmat Module.
- The amount of loss that triggers an "excessive losses" warning for Property Loss or Contents Loss has been increased from $500,000 to $2,000,000.
- The code "87" (Investigate fire out on arrival) has been added to Action Taken codes.
- The code "V" (the fifth) has been added to Name Suffix codes.
- The code "28" (Ethanol) has been added to the Fire Module's Type of Material First Ignited codes.
- The code "49" (Criminal Activity) has been added to the HazMat Module's Factors Contributing to Release codes.
- The code "877" (Novelty lighter) has been added to the Fire Module's Equipment Involved in Ignition codes.
Additionally the following bug fixes were instituted:
- To bring the Vendor Validation Tool into compliance with the existing NFIRS Design Documentation the Vendor Validation Tool now requires that the Controlled Date and Time on the Basic Module be filled out when the Wildland Module is used.
Note: Although the above rule should have been active in previous releases the requirement takes effect for all incidents that have alarm dates on or after 01/01/2008. The change is not retroactive in the Vendor Validation Tool because the tool shares its incident validation logic with the Data Entry Tool. If the change was retroactive to all incidents it would have invalidated previously valid incidents. Vendor software should continue to interpret the rule correctly as of the time it was first incorporated into the NFIRS Design Document.
- The "Database Mode" in the validation report now reads "Not Applicable" instead of "On-Line".
This information was posted on January 7, 2008
The maintenance window is complete and the NFIRS 5.0 System is available. Please see the previous notice below for information on obtaining and installing the new NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.5.0 client software.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR AUTOMATIC UPDATE USERS: Automatic Update updates your current v54 Data Entry Tool installation. As such the installation will not change places on your computer (the default location is C:\Program Files\NFIRSv54) or within your Start menu (the default Start menu item is NFIRSv54). When the Data Entry Tool is started following an automatic update however it should report that it is running version 5.5.0 of the software.
This information was posted on January 2nd, 2008
NFIRS 5.5.0 Client Software Maintenance Release And Accompanying Maintenance Window: January 2nd, 2008
To All NFIRS State Program Managers and USFA Client Software Users
The USFA NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.5.0 client software maintenance release is currently in the final test phase and will be released on January 2nd, 2008. The new NFIRS client software will be made available immediately following a period of maintenance from 6:00AM EST until approximately 10:00AM EST on January 2nd, 2008 during which the NFIRS on-line system will be unavailable. Applying the update will not require a full uninstall and reinstall for users of previous versions 5.4.0, 5.4.1, and 5.4.2.
On-line Users of the USFA Software
After the Version 5.5.0 release is made available, upon login to the on-line system users of the USFA NFIRS software Version 5.4.0, 5.4.1, and 5.4.2 will be prompted to update to the new version. After the update is applied, when the user opens the Data Entry Tool, a DHS system security notice will be displayed, and the user will click OK to agree to its terms and access the Data Entry Tool.
Off-line Users of the USFA Software
To obtain the update for Version 5.5.0, an Internet connection will be required. The user will change to the On-line mode and obtain the Version 5.5.0 software update. To complete the version update process, the user must change to Off-Line mode and perform User Injection.
Windows Vista Platform
At this time, the Vista platform has not been tested with the USFA NFIRS 5.0 software since it is not approved for use within DHS/FEMA Agency.
Local Database Engines: Access 2007, MS SQL Server 2005
At this time, Access 2007 and MS SQL Server 2005 have not been tested with the USFA NFIRS 5.0 software for use as a local database, in the same manner of previous Access versions 97, 2000, 2002. Refer to instructions and recommendations in the readme.txt file, which is posted on the NFIRS website in the User Section.
Release Contents
The primary focus of the release of version 5.5.0 of the NFIRS software is the implementation of the 2008 edit and rule changes. These edit and rule changes are delineated at the end of the Specification Changes and Corrections document found on the Design Documentation page. The release also includes a collection of fixes to the software.
Software fixes in the USFA NFIRS Version 5.5.0 Release include:
- A Microsoft Access ODBC driver is now properly created during a "Typical Installation" of the NFIRS Data Entry Tool (DET) version 5.5.0 using the DET installer. As of version 5.4.2 the nfirsodbc54 ODBC driver was not being created when the "Typical Installation" was selected.
- To bring the Data Entry Tool into compliance with the existing NFIRS Design Documentation the Data Entry Tool now requires that the Controlled Date and Time on the Basic Module be filled out when the Wildland Module is used. This requirement takes effect for all incidents that have alarm dates on or after 01/01/2008.
- When the Import/Export tool is used to validate the contents of an import file without importing the contents into a database the "Database Mode" now reads "Not Applicable" instead of "On-Line".
- When an import file contains a software ID that identifies a vendor software that has not yet been activated within the national database the error message now reports that the vendor software "is not currently activated for use" instead of "software not certified compliant".
- A validation error message that read "Mutual Aid Resources on Allowed When Mutual Aid Received" has been corrected to read "Mutual Aid Resources Are Not Allowed When Mutual Aid Received".
- The Hazmat Module's "Units: Capacity" 3-series codes parent code 3 is no longer selectable and parent code 3's children now show up properly in the tree under parent code 3.
This information was posted on December 20, 2007
NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Availability: December 24-26, 2007
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line system will be unavailable beginning Monday, December
24, 2007 at 2PM EST until as late as Wednesday morning, December 26th, 2007 for an extended system maintenance.
This maintenance period will be used to tune the National Database to improve responsiveness and performance of the various NFIRS services.
Users are asked to log off the system prior to 2PM EST and remain off the
system until a notice is posted on the NFIRS
5.0 Home page that the maintenance window is complete and all services are
available.
This information was posted on December 19, 2007
NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Availability: December 17, 2007
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line system will be unavailable beginning Monday, December 17, 2007 at 10PM EST until approximately 4AM EST for system maintenance.
Users are asked to log off the system prior to 10PM EST and remain off the system until a notice is posted on the NFIRS 5.0 Home page that the maintenance window is complete and all services are available.
This information was posted on December 10, 2007
NFIRS On-line System Access Issue
Monday September 24, 2007 some users reported not being able to login to the On-line system at approximately 1:00 p.m. (EDT. A system issue was identified and addressed.
This information was posted on September 25, 2007
January 2008 Specification Cycle - Documentation Release
To assist Vendors in preparing for the January 2008 Specification Cycle Release, the Preliminary Specification Changes and Corrections Log (filename:
Jan2008spec_changes_table.pdf) and the Specification Tables (filename: NFIRS_Spec_Tables_2008.xls) have been updated to include the
changes that will be implemented in the January 2008 Specification Cycle.
The updated documents are posted in a separate section on the NFIRS 5.0 Design Documentation page.
The changes identified in the January 2008 Preliminary Changes and Corrections Log and Spec Tables will not be implemented in the live system until January 1, 2008.
This information was posted on September 17, 2007
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System: Brief Maintenance Window Friday, September 14, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Users:
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line system will be unavailable on Friday, September 14, 2007 from approximately 6:00 a.m. until 6:15 a.m. (EST) for system maintenance.
Users are asked to log off the system prior to 6:00 a.m. (EST) and remain off the system until a notice is posted on the NFIRS 5.0 Home page that the maintenance window is complete and all services are available.
This information was posted on September 13, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 Vendors
The documentation for the January 2008 Specification Cycle is being finalized, and when it is complete a list message will be sent to all Active and Registered status Vendors.
This information was posted on September 5, 2007
To All NFIRS On-line System Users: System Availability
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line System maintenance window is complete and all services are available.
To All USFA NFIRS Client Software Users:
The USFA Client Software Version 5.4.2 is available.
Users with versions 5.4.0 and 5.4.1 may obtain the Version 5.4.2 update automatically upon login to the On-line system. Versions 5.4.0 and 5.4.1 users who work in the Off-line mode will need to change to the On-line mode to obtain the update, then return to the Off-line mode and perform User Injection.
USFA Client Software users with older versions 5.3.x must download the NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.4.2 software and install it.
Complete information on the update and release contents are available in the Version 5.4.2 readme.txt file which is posted in the User Section of the NFIRS website, following successful User Login.
No changes to the rules and edits have made in the 5.4.2 release.
This information was posted on August 9, 2007 at approximately 10:00 a.m. (EST)
To All NFIRS On-line System Users: Scheduled Maintenance Window
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line System will be unavailable from approximately 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, August 9, 2007 for a maintenance window.
Users are asked to log off the system and remain off the system until a message stating all system services are available has been posted on the NFIRS website home page.
To All USFA NFIRS Client Software Users:
When the On-line system becomes available following the maintenance window, USFA Client Software users with versions 5.4.0 and 5.4.1 may obtain the Version 5.4.2 update automatically upon login to the On-line system. Versions 5.4.0 and 5.4.1 users who work in the Off-line mode will need to change to the On-line mode to obtain the update, then return to the Off-line mode and perform User Injection.
USFA Client Software users with older versions 5.3.x must download the NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.4.2 software and install it.
Complete information on the update and release contents are in the Version 5.4.2 readme.txt file which will be posted just prior to the release in the User Section of the NFIRS website, following successful User Login.
No changes to the rules and edits have made in the 5.4.2 release.
This information was posted on August 2, 2007
Access to NFIRS Services: Monday, July 9, 2007
The issue preventing access to the NFIRS 5.0 System has been resolved and all services are available.
This information was posted on Monday, June 9, 2007 at approximately 11:30 a.m. (EST)
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Users: Access to NFIRS Services
Monday, July 9, 2007
On Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 10:46 a.m. (EST), a certificate login issue occurred which is preventing users from accessing the NFIRS On-line system via the USFA client software (Data Entry Tool and System Admin Tool) and these NFIRS web-based services: Bulk Import Utility, Bulk Export Utility, web-based System Admin Tool and the web-based reports.
Users attempting to access these Web-based Tools receive a notice ôThere is a problem with the siteÆs certificate. Do you wish to continue?ö The prompt may be followed by a ôpage cannot be displayedö error.
Users attempting to access the system using the Data Entry Tool in the On-line mode will receive this message:
gov.fema.nfirs.client.ClientException: Server exception processing data request, exception code: 104, details.net.ssl.SSLHandshakeException exception during remote service request. Message: java.security.cert.CertificateExpiredException: NotAfter: Sun Jul 08 10:46:24 EDT 2007
This issue is currently under maintenance and a list message will be sent to all uses and a notice posted on the NFIRS web site when the site access issue is resolved.
This information was posted on Monday, June 9, 2007 at approximately 09:50 a.m. (EST)
Maintenance Window Complete: Friday, June 22, 2007
The maintenance window is complete and the NFIRS 5.0 System is available.
This message was posted June 22, 2007 7:05 a.m. (EST)
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Necessary Maintenance Window: Friday, June 22, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Users:
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line system will be unavailable on Friday, June 22, 2007 from approximately 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. (EST) for system maintenance. The maintenance includes a restart of all NFIRS web services and On-line Data Entry Tool access.
Users are asked to log off the system prior to 6:00 a.m. (EST). A notice will be posted on the NFIRS 5.0 Home page when the maintenance window is complete.
This maintenance window is a result of an issue identified on Wednesday June 20, 2007 when several users reported receiving an ôInternal Server Errorö page or similar error message when trying to access the Web-based Tools (Bulk Import Utility, Bulk Export Utility, User Login, Vendor login, and web-based System Admin Tool). The issue involved a corrupt web service and was addressed on Wednesday June 20, 2007 at approximately 11:00 a.m. (EST).
The web-based Summary Output Reports Tool was not affected.
This information was posted on Thursday, June 21, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 Web Tools Users:
Access to NFIRS Web Tools: Wednesday June 20, 2007
Several users reported receiving an ôInternal Server Errorö page or similar error message when trying to access the Web-based Tools (Bulk Import Utility, Bulk Export Utility, User Login, Vendor login, and web-based System Admin Tool). The issue which involves a corrupt web service has been addressed.
The web-based Summary Output Reports Tool was not affected.
This information was posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 Web Tools Users:
Access to NFIRS Web Tools: Wednesday June 20, 2007
Several users reported receiving an ôInternal Server Errorö page or similar error message when trying to access the Web-based Tools (Bulk Import Utility, Bulk Export Utility, User Login, Vendor login, and web-based System Admin Tool). The issue which involves a corrupt web service has been addressed.
The web-based Summary Output Reports Tool was not affected.
This information was posted on Wednessday, June 20, 2007
Preparation for the USFA NFIRS 5.4.2 Client Software Maintenance Update Release
To All NFIRS State Program Managers and USFA Client Software Users
The USFA NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.4.2 client software maintenance update is currently in the final test phase and its release is planned for early June 2007. Applying the Update will not require a full un-install and re-install for users of previous versions 5.4.0 and 5.4.1. Details of the necessary downtime will be sent closer to the release date to all Active Status users and will be posted on the NFIRS web site.
On-line Users of the USFA Software
After the Version 5.4.2 release is made available, upon login to the On-line system users of the USFA NFIRS software Version 5.4.1 will be prompted to update to the new version. After the update is applied, when the user opens the Data Entry Tool, a DHS system security notice will be displayed, and the user will click OK to agree to its terms and access the Data Entry Tool.
Off-line Users of the USFA Software
To obtain the update for Version 5.4.2, an Internet connection will be required. The user will change to the On-line mode and obtain the Version 5.4.2 software update. To complete the version update process, the user must change to Off-line mode and perform User Injection.
Complete instructions and the Version 5.4.2 readme.txt file will be made available prior to the release.
Windows Vista Platform
At this time, the Vista platform has not been tested with the USFA NFIRS 5.0 software since it is not approved for use within DHS/FEMA Agency.
Local Database Engines: Access 2007, MS SQL Server 2005
At this time, Access 2007 and MS SQL Server 2005 have not been tested with the USFA NFIRS 5.0 software for use as a local database, in the same manner of previous Access versions 97, 2000, 2002. Refer to instructions and recommendations in the readme.txt file, which is posted on the NFIRS website in the User Section.
Release Contents
No edit or rules changes are included in the Version 5.4.2 release.
Some of the items in the USFA NFIRS Version 5.4.2 Release include:
System Wide:
- Enhanced the Automatic Version Update feature to further support future releases of the USFA client software.
- Changed and enlarged the NFIRS client and web tools login screens to include the required DHS logo and system security notice.
- Removed the 24 hour automatic deactivation for user account resets. User accounts remain Active status for 60 days, at which time if no login has occurred, the account will be automatically deactivated. Upon account reset to Active Status, the user will have 60 days to log in (opposed to 24 hours).
System patches that address the new Daylight Savings Time schedule.
Data Entry Tool:
- A new OMB required (Office of Management and Budget) menu makes available the OMB Number and Expiration Date of the USFA Software, and makes available the Paperwork Burden Disclosure Notices for each NFIRS Module for viewing and printing in accordance with OMB regulation 5 CFR Part 1320(b)(2)(ii)(B).
System Admin Tool:
- Addressed several bugs preventing Special Studies from being created and modified.
- Increased the visible width of the email address field in the User Maintenance Window.
No edit or rules changes have been made in the January 2007 Specification cycle, or in the Version 5.4.2 release.
Monitor email for notices on the downtime window that will precede the Version 5.4.2 release.
This information was posted on May 31, 2007
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability: Necessary Maintenance Window: Saturday, March 31, 2007
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line System maintenance window is complete and all NFIRS On-line services are available.
This information was posted on March 31, 2007, approximately 7:50 a.m. EST
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability: Necessary Maintenance Window: Saturday, March 31, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Users:
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line system will be unavailable on Saturday March 31, 2007 from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 8:00 a.m. (EST) to address the issue affecting accessibility to the Bulk Import log files and Bulk Import Admin Report. The unexpected issue was identified yesterday, Thursday March 29, 2007.
Users are asked to log off the system by 6:00 a.m. (EST) and remain off the system until a message is posted on the NFIRS 5.0 home page that states system services are available.
This information was posted on March 31, 2007, approximately 10:30 a.m. EST
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability: Thursday March 29, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Users:
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line System maintenance window is complete and all NFIRS On-line services were available at 10:00 a.m. (EST), except for two services related to the Bulk Import Utility (BIU).
At this time, users can upload files successfully using the BIU, the email receipt message is sent successfully, but the user encounters an "Internal Server Error" when clicking on the link in the email in order to retrieve the log files. An "Internal Server Error" is also generated when trying to access the BIU Admin Report.
When these Bulk Import Utility services are available, a list message will be sent to all Active Status users and posted on the NFIRS home page.
This information was posted on March 29, 2007, approxiately 1:20 p.m. EST
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability: Thursday March 29, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Users:
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line System will be unavailable on Thursday, March 29, 2007 from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (EST) for a necessary maintenance window. The maintenance involves an upgrade to a system hardware component.
Upon completion of the maintenance window when all services become available, a notice will be posted on the NFIRS home page.
This information was posted on March 27, 2007, approximately 3:30 p.m. EST
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Access - Monday March 19, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Users:
Some users have reported not being able to access the NFIRS On-line system this afternoon, Monday March 19, 2007 from approximately 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. (EST). A restart of the services that handle login requests was necessary, and the login services restored. The system is being monitored.
This information was posted on March 19, 2006, 4:20 p.m. EST
Clarification on Times and Timestamps in NFIRS System Services
To All NFIRS 5.0 State Program Managers and USFA NFIRS Software Users:
As a result of the recent Daylight Savings Time (DST) change, some logging services which utilize the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) will contain a timestamp one hour earlier than the action was performed. In the USFA Client Software these services include:
- Data Entry Tool:
- Import log file (importfilename.log)
- Export log (exportfilename.log)
- Client log files (default location: C:\ProgramFiles\NFIRSv54\logs\
- System Admin Tool’s User Maintenance Window:
- (User) Last Login
- (User) Password Last Changed
The upload times and logging in the NFIRS On-line Services Bulk Import Utility and Bulk Export Utility are not affected, and all times associated with their actions are written in the log files properly.
All times are being stored in the NFIRS On-line System properly. The Incident Dates and Times are not affected during incident entry or import and save in the National Database. This includes Section A - Key Information or any of the modules (Basic, Apparatus/Personnel, EMS, Fire Service and Civilian Casualty Modules) where date and times fields exist.
The timestamps affected by the issue will continue to show the one hour earlier than the action until the release of the USFA client software Version 5.4.2, which is currently in the final testing phase. Information on the 5.4.2 release will be emailed to all users in a separate message next week.
Questions may be directed to the NFIRS Support Center
This information was posted on March 16, 2007
NFIRS 5.0 On-line Import Log Error Messages: Tuesday March 6, 2007
A corrupt thread service was identified at approximately 10:40 a.m. (EST), today, Tuesday, March 6, 2007 which may have affected some NFIRS 5.0 file imports.
Users are asked to review their import log files from imports performed during this period: on Tuesday March 6, 2007 from 10:20 a.m. through 11:45 a.m. (EST).
If an error in the .log file refers to "Refcursor value is invalid (Database SQL Error)," or "Protocol violation (Database SQL Error)," users must re-import the file, with Overwrite Existing Incidents specified.
This information was posted on March 6, 2007 (EST) at approximately 12:35 p.m. (EST)
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability: Monday March 5, 2007
The scheduled maintenance window for Monday March 5, 2007 has been completed successfully and all NFIRS On-line services are available.
This information was posted on March 5, 2007 (EST)
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability:
Thursday March 1, 2007 and Monday March 5, 2007
Two necessary maintenance windows have been scheduled to prepare for the upcoming Daylight Savings Time change in the NFIRS On-line system.
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line System will be unavailable on Thursday, March 1, 2007 from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (EST) for the first scheduled maintenance window. A second maintenance window is scheduled for Monday, March 5, 2007 from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (EST).
Following each maintenance window, when all services become available a notice will be posted on the NFIRS Web site home page.
This information was posted on Tuesday February 27, 2007 at approximately 4:00 p.m. (EST)
NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Availability: February 15, 2007
Access to all NFIRS on-line services has been restored. The services were inaccessible as a result of weather-related site power outages and network issues.
This information was posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at approximately 3:20 p.m. (EST)
NFIRS 5.0 On-Line System Availability:
February 14 and February 15, 2007
On Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at approximately 2:20 p.m. (EST) severe weather conditions caused a site power outage and network disruption which is preventing users from accessing all NFIRS On-line services.
When all NFIRS services are restored, a list message will be sent to all users and will be posted on the NFIRS web site.
This information was posted on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at approximately 9:00 a.m. (EST)
Summary Output Reports Tool Maintenance Window:
Friday February 2, 2007
The Summary Output Reports Tool (web-based reports) will be unavailable today, Friday February 2, 2007 from approximately 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST for necessary hardware maintenance.
When the maintenance window is complete, a message stating the Summary Output Reports Tool (web-based reports) availability will be posted on the NFIRS home page.
This information was posted on Friday, February 2, 2007 (EST)
NFIRS Summary Output Reports (Web-based reports) Availability:
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Summary Output Reports (web-based reports) are available.
Users may have encountered an Apache 404 or 500 error while attempting to generate a Summary Output Report today, Tuesday January 30, 2007 between the period of 12:05 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. (EST)
An issue involving the web-based reports hardware was identified and is being addressed, and will be closely monitored.
This information was posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007, approximately 3:50 p.m. (EST)
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Errors:
Friday, January 12, 2007 through Monday, January 15, 2007
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Users:
An issue was identified that prevented incidents from being saved to the NFIRS National Database during this period:
- Friday, January 12, 2007 from 4:26 p.m. (EST) through Monday, January 15, 2007 at 5:10 p.m. (EST).
On-line Users of the USFA software’s Data Entry Tool encountered the message: "Exception Saving Incident… " upon each save.
Users importing files in the On-line mode using the USFA Data Entry Tool or the web-based Bulk Import Utility will find this error in the import’s log file:
- Unable to import incident due to an error that occurred while saving incident data: ORA-00604: error occurred at recursive SQL level 1
- ORA-01000: maximum open cursors exceeded (Database SQL Error).
Or:
- Message: Server exception processing data request; exception message: Database SQL Error, details: ORA-00604: error occurred at recursive SQL level 1
- ORA-01000: maximum open cursors exceeded
Users must re-import the file if this error is found in the import log file.
The issue was resolved Monday, January 15, 2007 at approximately 5:10 p.m. (EST)
This information was posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2007
NFIRS 5.0 On-line Import Services Error Messages:
Wednesday October 18 and Thursday, October 19, 2006
To All NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Users:
A corrupt thread service was identified at approximately 4:15 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, October 19, 2006 which may have affected NFIRS 5.0 file imports. Users are asked to review their import log files from imports performed during this period:
- from Wednesday October 18, 2006 at 4:45 p.m. (EST) through Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 4:15 p.m. (EST).
These two errors indicate the corrupt thread was encountered in the import:
- Server exception processing data request; exception message: Database SQL Error, details: Io exception: Broken pipe
- Or
- An Exception of type java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException with the message: -1 occurred while performing an add operation.
Users should reimport the file if these errors are indicated in the import log file, with Overwrite Existing Incidents specified.
This information was posted on Friday, October 20, 2006
January 2007 NFIRS Change Cycle Notice
To All NFIRS Vendors:
There will be no changes to the NFIRS system for the upcoming NFIRS specification change cycle release scheduled for January of 2007. The January 2007 cycle release will instead consist entirely of documentation corrections and updates.
This information was posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006
To All NFIRS Bulk Import Utility and Bulk Export Utility Users:
Email Notifications from: NFIRSBulkImport@dhs.gov and NFIRS root@dhs.gov
From approximately 12:00 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, August 10, 2006 through approximately 5:00 p.m. on Saturday August 14, 2006 at (EST), an issue between the FEMA network and email servers prevented the return correspondence to users who uploaded files to BIU or made requests for data using Bulk Export Utility.
There were no issues with the NFIRS system itself and data being processed or saved, only the email receipts being sent to the user.
Users who did not receive a regular confirmation email which contains the hyperlink to the Bulk Import Utility log files or to Bulk Export data files may contact the NFIRS Support Center (NSC).
Questions on email received from NFIRSBulkImport@dhs.gov and NFIRS root@dhs.gov may also be directed to the NSC.
This information was posted on Wednesday August 16, 2006
NFIRS 5.0 Bulk Import Tool Availability
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
The NFIRS 5.0 Bulk Import Tool will be unavailable on Tuesday August 1,
2006 from approximately 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. (EST) while maintenance is performed.
The maintenance includes a correction which will allow the Bulk Import to better handle files containing certain exceptions and import change requests.
This information was posted on Thursday July 27, 2006 10:20 p.m. (EST)
NFIRS 5.0 Summary Output Reports Tool Availability:
Thursday July 27, 2006
The NFIRS 5.0 Summary Output Reports Tool (Web-based Reports) will be unavailable on Thursday July 27, 2006 from approximately 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. (EST) while maintenance is performed.
The maintenance includes a correction to the ad hoc filter generation on the web based reports; specifically, where some numeric ad hoc filters were not being picked up on the reports.
This information was posted on Tuesday July 25, 2006 12:20 p.m. (EST)
Release of Vendor Validation Tool 4.10 and Clarification on 2006 Edits
The Vendor Validation Tool 4.10 is available on the NFIRS web site after successful login on the Vendor Section login. Instructions are available on the Vendor Downloads page.
Clarifications
- Specification Changes and Corrections Log item # 284: Apparatus/Personnel Number of People Field:
A Warning level error, not a Critical level error, will be generated for 2006 incidents in which the value in the Apparatus/Personnel Module’s Number of People field does not equal the number of Personnel records (1810) contained in the incident.
- Validation of Fire Module’s Cause of Ignition Code: 0, Other:
As stated in the Specification Corrections and Changes Log, item #7, the Cause of Ignition code 0, Other may only be used for conversion or when the incident is an Exposure fire. In the 2007 Specification Cycle, an edit will be implemented that does not allow base incidents to have Cause of Ignition 0, Other.
Relational Edit # 51 that references the Cause of ignition field has not changed: If Exposure Number > zero (0) this element should be set to Other.
- Currently, no Warning validation error is being generated for Relational Edit #160: If Incident Type = 1xx (fire) then generate a validation warning if either the Property or the Contents Dollar Loss value is greater than $500,000. In the 2007 Specification Cycle, a Warning will be implemented if Property or Contents losses exceed $500,000.
This information was posted on March 30, 2006
NFIRS 5.0 Complete Reference Guide Corrections
The Complete Reference Guide posted on February 17, 2006 did not consistently reflect the requirements for the Fire Module’s Factors Contributing to Ignition and Human Factors fields in the form and examples in Section 4 and the Forms in Appendix A.
The corrected Complete Reference Guide and the Forms for Appendix A have been posted on the Reference Guide page.
This information was posted on March 29, 2006
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability - Wednesday March 15, 2006
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line system will be unavailable on Wednesday March 15,
2006 from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. (EST) to allow for the NFIRS system to be transitioned to a larger network bandwidth in order to improve system performance.
Users are asked to log off the NFIRS system before 6:00 a.m. (EST) and remain off the system until a message stating the operational status is posted on the NFIRS 5.0 Home page.
The maintenance includes a DNS entry change. Since the DNS entry must populate the DNS servers on the Internet, in some cases the caching for the new entry could take up to 24 hours.
This information was posted on March 9, 2006
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability
On-line System Availability - USFA Client Software Update 5.4.1 Release
The NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.4.1 software is available on the NFIRS 5.0 Download Software Page, which can be accessed after successful login in the User Section. After successful login, in the sidebar locate and click on the link: Download Software to go to the page where the software executables are posted.
Refer to additional update information in the message below.
This information was posted on March 1, 2006, 1430 hrs EST
NFIRS 5.0 On-line System Availability: Rules Adjustment and
USFA Client Software Update 5.4.1 Release
To All NFIRS 5.0 Users and Vendors:
The NFIRS 5.0 On-line System will be unavailable from approximately 0600 to 0800 (EST) on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 to prepare for the USFA NFIRS 5.0 client software version 5.4.1 release and to address the following rules validation issues:
- A time zone bug that caused the inappropriate version of rules to be applied to Central Time zone incidents who Incident Date was between 12/31/2005 10:00 p.m. and 12/31/2005 11:59 p.m.
- The implementation of Relational Edit #53, which states: If Cause of Ignition is 3 or 4 (Failure of Equipment or Heat Source, Act of Nature) then Block E2 (Factors Contributing) is required (none is valid answer). The Human Factors field will not be required if Cause of Ignition equals 3 or 4.
- Rules Versioning change for 2005 fire incidents: the fields Factors Contributing and Human Factors will not be required for incidents from 2005 or earlier.
- The Warning Validation Edit for the Apparatus/Personnel Module’s Number of People field will be adjusted. The Warning will be generated only when at least one Personnel module is filled out, and the value in the Number of People field does not equal the count of Personnel modules (1810 records).
- Import and conversion of 4.1 data will result in incidents that are automatically Released status, and not validated against 5.0 rules.
These adjustments will be incorporated in the Vendor Validation Tool 4.10 which will be released shortly.
When the maintenance window is complete and the On-line system and the updates are available, a message will be posted on the NFIRS 5.0 web site home page.
This information was posted on February 27, 2006
Validation Error Associated with Apparatus/Personnel Module’s Number of People Field
To All NFIRS 5.0 Users and Vendors:
A Critical validation error was associated with the 2006 Specification Change Number 284, which states:
- Added a new system validation edit to ensure that the number of persons entered on the Apparatus module matched the number of Personnel module records entered for the incident (if the personnel module is used).
An adjustment has been made in the validation process to generate a Warning level error instead of a Critical level error for Change Number 284.
Warning level errors do not make an incident’s status "Invalid."
On-line Users of the USFA NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.4.0 Software:
No action is necessary. The change of the error level from Critical to Warning for the Number of People field will be reflected when incidents are saved or imported to the On-line database.
Off-line Users of the USFA Software:
To update the local NFIRS 5.0 Version 5.4.0 database validation process, perform User Injection or Remote Synchronization. A connection to the Internet is necessary.
Note:Users of previous versions must update to Version 5.4.0 to access the On-line database. To download the most current version from the NFIRS 5.0 website, after login at the Users Section click on the sidebar link for Download Software.
NFIRS 5.0 Vendors:
The update for the Warning level of error in change Number 284 will be included in the Vendor Validation Tool 4.10, which will be released shortly.
This information was posted on February 8, 2006
Updated NFIRS 5.0 Complete Reference Guide
The NFIRS 5.0 Complete Reference Guide (CRG) has been updated and posted in the Documentation Section’s Reference Guide page. The revised CRG is consistent in content with the January 2006 Specification Cycle and is intended for use by NFIRS users beginning January 1, 2006. This version of the document supercedes all previous versions.
The CRG is made available in PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
This information was posted on February 1, 2006
On-line System Availability - January 2, 2006 - Implementation of 2006 Specification Cycle
The January 2006 Specification Cycle Rules have been implemented in the On-line system. Version 5.0 Incidents with an Incident Date of January 1, 2006 or later will be validated under the 2006 cycle rules.
USFA Software Users:
The NFIRS 5.0 Client Software Version 5.4.0 is necessary to access the NFIRS National Database in the On-line mode.
The USFA NFIRS 5.0 client software Version 5.4.0 is posted on the Download Software page in the Users' Section. To access the Download Software page, go to the User Section and login. After login, click on the sidebar link: Download Software.
This information was posted on January 2, 2006
Reminder: On-line System Availability on January 2, 2006
and Implementation of 2006 Specification Cycle
On Monday, January 2, 2006 from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 p.m. (EST), the NFIRS On-line system will be unavailable.
This maintenance window is necessary to implement the January 2006 Specification Cycle changes.
USFA Software Users:
After the maintenance window, USFA Software users must download and install the NFIRS 5.0 Client Software Version 5.4.0 to access the NFIRS National Database in the On-line mode. Upon On-line login attempt with any previous USFA Software version, users will receive a message similar to the following:
Request failed (gov.fema.nfirs.service.NFIRSVersionControlServiceDB). Reason: Your application (version 5.3.4) is out of date. Please download and install the latest version (5.4.0).
This information was posted on December 29, 2005
To All NFIRS 5.0 Vendors
To assist Vendors in testing the rules and edits that have been posted in the January 2006 specification release documentation, an Update has been posted which may be applied to the Vendor Validation Tool 4.09.
The Vendor Validation Tool 4.09 must be installed on the PC to run the update. Complete instructions on installation are available after successful login in the Vendor section.
Due to the holiday weekend and support staffing, the changes incorporated in the 2006 Specification Cycle will not take effect in the NFIRS On-line system until January 2, 2006.
Documentation which outlines the changes for the 2006 Specification Cycle is posted on the Design Documentation page in the Preparation for January 2006 Specification section.
This information was posted on December 21, 2005
Preparation for 2006 NFIRS 5.0 Specification Changes
To All NFIRS 5.0 Vendors:
To assist Vendors in preparing for the January 2006 Specification Cycle Release, the Specification Changes and Corrections Log (filename: jan2006spec_changes_table.pdf) and the Specification Tables (filename: NFIRS_Spec_Tables_2006.xls) have been updated to include the changes that will be implemented in the January 2006 Specification Cycle.
Some of the changes in the January 2006 Specification include:
- Some rules and edits have been modified in effort to capture more detail of fire incidents.
- Several new codes, including new Mobile Property Make codes for Farm Vehicles
- Several clarifications for edit and field requirements.
- The Structure Fire Paper form has been modified to reflect updates.
The changes identified in the January 2006 Changes and Corrections Log and the Specification Tables will not be implemented in the live system until January 1, 2006.
The updated documents are posted in a separate section on the NFIRS 5.0 Design Documentation page so vendors may preview and prepare for the changes. A Vendor Validation Tool will be made available shortly to test flat files in accordance with the upcoming January 2006 changes. When it is released, a list message will be sent to all Active and Registered status Vendors.
This information was posted on September 30, 2005
Release of USFA NFIRS 5.0 Vendor Validation Tool Version 4.09
The USFA Vendor Validation Tool which incorporates the edits, rules and code changes identified in the July 2002 - January 2005 specification cycle, is available on the NFIRS Vendor Downloads page.
To access and download the USFA Vendor Validation Tool Version 4.09, login to the NFIRS Vendor Login page, and locate the click on the link: NFIRS Vendor Validation Tool.
The complete NFIRS 5.0 Design Documentation is available on the Design Documentation page.
This notice was posted on January 26, 2005
To All NFIRS 5.0 Vendors: January 2005 Design Documentation
The January 2005 NFIRS 5.0 Design Documentation has been posted on the Design Documentation page. This release incorporates all rule changes, system relational edits, and transaction file record layouts which had been identified since the January 2004 documentation release.
The Specification Changes and Corrections log has been updated to incorporate the January 2005 release items and is posted with the corresponding revision date.
USFA encourages vendors to review the documentation completely for changes.
This notice was posted on January 7, 2005
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