Tips From the Field (FH 5)

This column details different ways our clients have put FH 5 to work for their department. We encourage clients to submit tips and suggestions for future FireVISION articles.

Sending Files to Your State

The steps to export NFIRS incidents are detailed in the ‘Operations’ chapter of the User Guide Tutorial section.

You select the method of sending a NFIRS or EMS incident transaction file from the NFIRS 5.0 Export Wizard form (NFIRS) or the EMS Export Wizard form. The same methods are also available for states with custom EMS reporting. All options copy a transaction file or files to a specified drive (usually in the FH root directory in a folder named NFIRS or EMS):

• Select No, just leave the file on the hard drive if you do not submit transaction files.
• Select Yes, copy the file(s) to the removeable disk in drive to send the transaction file(s) to the specified removable media drive. This is the method to select if you mail diskettes to your state. 3 ½ inch diskettes are typically used. Check Wipe Disk to erase the diskette contents before copying the transaction file(s).
• Select Yes, transmit the file(s) to an internet or intranet site via FTP... to send the transaction files using File Transfer Protocol (FTP), a standard protocol used to share data on TCP/IP network. If you know that an FTP site is available, this method allows you to transfer files from your local workstation to a remote computer (for example, the state Fire Marshal’s office) via an internet connection.
  • Press FTP Setup... to specify information about the remote site where your local files will be sent.
  • Type address for the FTP Server. FH technical support does not have this information. The FTP information must be obtained from the owner of the remote computer.
  • Type the User Name. This is the FTP account user name assigned by the owner of the FTP site.
  • Type the Password. This is the FTP account password assigned by the owner of the FTP site.
  • Check Save above values as default settings for FTP to reuse the Server, User Name, and Password next time you transfer files from FH.
  • Press Add to select a file to transfer.
  • Specify Local Path and File.
  • Specify Remote Path and File.
  • Select a Transfer Mode.
  • Select a Transfer Action.
  • Press OK to add file.
  • Press OK to return to the export wizard.
• Select Yes, transmit the file(s) to and send an e-mail message... to email the transaction files.
  • Press E-Mail Setup... to specify details.
  • Type the Server address of the email server that accepts email from this workstation. Contact your ISP or network administrator for details if you are not sure what to put in here.  FH technical support does not have this information.
  • Check Save Server, From, and To e-mail settings to use the Server, From, and To values for other email messages sent from FH.
  • Type the From email address. If the recipient of the email address replies to the email, the From email address is used.
  • Type the To email address. The email will be sent to this email address.
  • Department name and general information are automatically inserted into the Subject. Change only if necessary.
  • Type additional information to include in the body of the email in Message Text.
  • Attached files are listed. Press + and select additional files to attach to the email if needed, or highlight a file and press – to remove.
  • Press OK to save email information.

Dial-Up Connections: If this workstation is connected to the internet via a dial-up connection, the internet connection must be active at the time the email message is sent.

After making your completion selection, complete the wizard and the transaction file is created.