The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal is implementing the FEMA Student Identification (SID) number as a unique identifier for Fire and Rescue personnel in OSFM 24.

Why is OSFM using FEMA SID?

Accurately identifying personnel is important for maintaining certification, qualification, training, and testing records. Names, addresses, email addresses, and agency affiliations can change over time, and multiple individuals may have similar or identical names.

A FEMA SID provides a unique identifier that remains associated with an individual and is already used nationally for FEMA training and other emergency services programs. Using FEMA SID will help improve the accuracy and consistency of OSFM records while also preparing OSFM 24 for future system integrations and improvements.

Using FEMA SID in OSFM 24 will help OSFM:

  • More accurately identify individual personnel records.
  • Reduce duplicate or incorrectly matched records.
  • Improve the accuracy of certification, qualification, training, and testing records.
  • Provide a consistent identifier that can support future system improvements and integrations.

Who needs a FEMA SID?
All Fire & Rescue personnel with an OSFM 24 account will be required to have a FEMA SID associated with their personnel record.

What should I do now?
Before October 1, 2026, locate your existing FEMA SID or register for one if you have never received a FEMA SID. Once the FEMA SID field is available in OSFM 24, make sure your complete 10-digit FEMA SID is entered on your Account Information page.

FEMA SID Requirement

Beginning October 1, 2026, Fire and Rescue personnel using OSFM 24 will be required to have a FEMA SID associated with their account.

All FEMA SID numbers must be entered in OSFM 24 as 10 digits. If your FEMA SID contains fewer than 10 digits, add zeros to the beginning of the number until it contains 10 digits.

Example
FEMA SID: 1234567
Enter in OSFM 24 as: 0001234567

Already have a FEMA SID but don't remember it?
Do not create a new FEMA SID. Use FEMA's SID lookup page to retrieve your existing number: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/account/find

Don't have a FEMA SID?
If you have never been issued a FEMA SID, register for one through FEMA: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/register

Entering Your FEMA SID in OSFM 24
Log in to OSFM 24 and visit your Account Information page to enter your FEMA SID.

Users who do not have a valid 10-digit FEMA SID associated with their account will be directed to the Account Information page when they log in to OSFM 24. A valid, unique 10-digit FEMA SID must be entered before continuing to the Dashboard.

FEMA SID Assistance
FEMA SIDs are issued and managed by FEMA. OSFM staff cannot create a FEMA SID, look up your FEMA SID, reset your FEMA SID account, or make changes to your FEMA SID information.

Questions or problems related to obtaining, retrieving, or managing your FEMA SID must be handled through FEMA.

FAQs

FEMA SID provides a unique identifier for each individual. Using a consistent identifier helps OSFM accurately maintain personnel, certification, qualification, training, and testing records and reduces the potential for duplicate or incorrectly matched records.

No. Do not create a new FEMA SID. Add leading zeros to your existing FEMA SID until the number contains 10 digits.

For example, 1234567 should be entered as 0001234567.

Do not register for another FEMA SID. Use FEMA's SID retrieval service to locate your existing number: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/account/find

You will need to register for a FEMA SID through FEMA's registration system before entering it in OSFM 24: https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/register

Do not create another FEMA SID. Contact OSFM Fire & Rescue for assistance so the existing record can be reviewed.

Log in to OSFM 24 and enter your FEMA SID on the Account Information page.

No. FEMA SIDs are issued and managed by FEMA. OSFM staff cannot create a FEMA SID, look up your FEMA SID, reset your FEMA SID account, or make changes to your FEMA SID information. Use FEMA's SID lookup or registration services for assistance with your FEMA SID.

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