First-time 2015 NFPA 950 provides a framework for operable information sharing for all-hazards emergency response.

Developed to support emergency response in the information age, NFPA 950: Standard for Data Development and Exchange for the Fire Service gives software developers a way to develop an accurate and compliant program for fire and emergency services. It is designed to standardize data for operable information sharing in support of the all-hazards response.

NFPA 950 describes a digital information structure and associated requirements and workflows.

NFPA 950 provides a standard framework for the development, management, and data requirements to support the fire service and enable consistent data exchange between systems. Chapters address any incident requiring sharing of data -- including disparate systems in the same department or organization.

This first-time Standard establishes:

• Requirements for data acquisition, management, and sharing of data as it pertains to fire and emergency services functions
• Policies for administration of both external data and internal data
• Minimum requirements for specific data types and information management systems

New NFPA 950 addresses the problem of system inoperability.

Software developers responsible for programming for fire and emergency services need the new NFPA 950 for confidence in the program's workability and compliance. Department members responsible for purchasing should make sure it is the Standard used for system design.