For a few years now, Fire Chief has reported on the National Fire Incident Reporting System and its lack of timely statistical support for the fire service. The logjam, however, appears to have broken and interesting pictures are starting to flow.

How did the logjam of data finally break loose? Three things: The FIRE Act stipulates that if you accept grant money, you also must submit your department's incidents; the U.S. fire service is desperate for statistics to support its demands for much-needed funding; and someone high enough put his foot down and said, “Now!”

A year ago, I met with Charlie Dickinson to discuss the history of problems with NFIRS. Dickinson is a gentleman and he listened. He was committed to do something about it, and we promised to help get the word out to support any efforts in this area.

Dickinson kept his word, and now each fire department must do its part. Whether you're a metro department or a rural department, we ask you to review your internal procedures and submit your incident reports where they need to go — most likely your state fire marshal's office.

According to Alex Furr, division director for the USFA National Fire Data Center, more states are becoming involved in the reporting process, and all 50 states are now reporting at some level. One problem with the process is that a fire department's contact information changes frequently. “A lot of e-mails from the volunteer segments change,” Furr said, advising volunteer fire departments to use an e-mail address that can continue to be checked even when a chief or officers are replaced.

Cultural changes at the NFDC have resulted in valuable data being posted directly on the USFA's Web site in a more timely manner. According to one USFA spokesperson, “In the past we have waited to have all states release their data for our use prior to reporting, but at the request of the U.S. Fire Administrator, we are now taking snapshots with the data that has been released by the states. Currently, approximately 40 states have released their data for our use. To this end, we can now take snapshots of the data we currently have, as long as the requesters remember the data set is only through the time the data has been requested and as of the date requested.”

This timely release of statistics from the NFDC also means we can get down to the business of looking at what's really happening in the fire and emergency services. Hopefully, it will mean that there were will be cold, hard numbers to put before Congress when it comes time to ask for money.

If you are a state fire marshal, take a good, hard look at the state-level reporting system as it relates to NFIRS. Furr explained, “The timeliness of the data is greatly dependent on how long it can take for departments and states to collect the data, and in some cases perform initial checks, make corrections as necessary.”

State participation in NFIRS is voluntary, but this is a definite way to be heard at a national level when you add your incidents to those of thousands of fire departments across the country. States retain control of their data even when using the federal server; states choose to release data for use when they are ready. Make your department's incidents count!

More good news! This issue includes information on the 2004 Fire Chief of the Year Award on page 87. We're very pleased to announce that the awards have a new sponsor, Pierce Manufacturing.

Our 2004 Station Style Design Awards are also calling for entries. Entry forms are available at http://stationstyle.firechief.com or by calling Award Administrator Connie Fonseca at 312-840-8414. Rules and details on the entry fee required for judging are also on the Web site. The awards will be presented at the FIERO Station Design Conference, Oct. 8-9 in Charlotte, N.C.

Finally, May 5 is Congressional Fire Services Institute Day in Washington, D.C., culminating in the CFSI dinner that evening. Please consider this opportunity to participate in the programs on Capitol Hill and meet with your state representatives to show support from the fire service.