How can I trust your company-- especially now when many businesses are struggling?
Emergency Reporting is a financially stable and growing company based on a proven successful business model. The owners are involved in daily operations and have been since the beginning.

Emergency Reporting serves some 30,000 first responders world-wide serving fire-rescue departments, EMS agencies, USMC, Navy, Army, nuclear power facilities, airports, CDC, NASA, ambulance companies, and oil refineries.  The technical and customer support capabilities required to handle strong customer growth and demand for years to come are already in place.

Emergency Reporting has many references convinced of our services, some of the references are listed on the references page.  We will also provide additional references on request.

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 beneficiaries; customers have the option of being named a beneficiary. 

How does our department do business with Emergency Reporting?
Our approach is to make the process of working with us as simple as possible. For instance, we are committed to responding to your calls and emails as soon as possible, providing system demonstrations and training, writing and posting custom reports, creating general "how-to" videos, and bringing your agency online as fast as possible upon agreement. 

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. 

How can I learn even more about the company?
For more information, visit our blog.

What is "web-based software"?
Emergency Reporting hosts the system, a 2,000 page 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, in order for customers world-wide to utilize the system.  There is no software installation required on the user's computer (other than a web browser) and the system is accessible from anywhere via the internet.

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 secured by locked-doors requiring fingerprint ID to access; security cameras and other precautions and systems are in place to make certain the Data Center functions safely.

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 at the company's discretion. 

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 for a fee based on programming time, 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 agencies world-wide on improving the system. 

For more information visit our blog.

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.

We have a set up fee and a monthly subscription fee based on the number of active (or staffed) fire or EMS stations, not computer stations.  You may have unlimited users within your agency, each with a unique login and password, access the system with varying security and access privileges.

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.

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 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.

For more information visit our blog.

With the economy so tight now, why should we move to your services?
The fact operating budgets are tight is the main reason to move to Emergency Reporting. We offer unlimited user accounts per agency, so you do not pay for additional license fees or have to worry about "sharing" the account; the system also allows your authorized users to utilize different parts of the system at the same time. 

The web-based system transfers all of the hard costs associated with maintaining hardware and software to Emergency Reporting. The old fire software model requires you to maintain the hardware, network, software and pay for the technical support and maintenance. These costs are often overlooked.

If your agency is using an old fire software program, talk to us about the financial advantage of using Emergency Reporting. In many cases our customers are able to utilize our services for the same fee (or less) than their annual "technical support" or "licensing" fee.

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, within the system on the Support page.

Besides the User Manual, what other materials and support services are there?
Emergency Reporting has many support materials posted in the Support section of the system. This includes videos and print documentation. We also offer training services ranging from free online "Virtual Thursday" sessions covering different parts of the system, to onsite, online and regional training workshops.

We work very hard to see customers receive fast and friendly service.

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.

For more information visit our blog.