Fire Report Request - Instructions

How to Request Fire Department Records for Fires and Non-Medical Incidents

Below are the instructions for obtaining records related to Fire Department responses to fires and other non-medical incidents.

Types of Fire Reports Available

• Fire Incident Report (NFIRS/NERIS): 
  This report is completed by the Incident Commander in accordance with the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) guidelines. While NFIRS has long been the standard for documenting U.S. fire department responses, it is being replaced by the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) and will be retired on January 31, 2026. 
• Fire Investigation Report (FIR):  

  A report created when SFFD Fire Investigators conduct an origin and cause investigation.

  • Availability: To check if a FIR is available, contact the SFFD Bureau of Fire Investigation.
  • Processing Time: FIRs may take weeks or months to complete, depending on the complexity of the incident.
  • Disclosure Restrictions: In certain cases, FIRs may not be disclosed pursuant to California Government Code §6254(f) and SF Administrative Code §67.24(d).

How to Request a Fire Report

To request a copy of a Fire Report:

1. Download the Fire Report Request Form:

2. Complete the form with the required details. 

Required Information for All Requests

All requests must include:

• The address of the fire or incident.
• The date of the incident.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the SFFD Bureau of Fire Investigation.

Submission Options

• By Mail:
  SFFD Bureau of Fire Investigation
  Attn: Custodian of Records
  1275 Third Street
  San Francisco, CA 94158

• By Email:
  Email the completed form to: FireRequests@sfgov.org