Amherstburg To Target False Fire Alarm System Negligence

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The Town of Amherstburg is hoping to put an end to reoccurring false fire alarms in the town with a new bylaw.

In a report to Town Council Monday evening, Fire Chief Randy Sinasac said that in the past five years the town fire department has responded to 291 false fire alarm calls, whether they be system malfunctions, accidental activations or as a result of improper alarm use. In 2014 alone, they responded to 65 false fire alarm calls, many of which were re-occurring calls at the same address.  They have seen as many as ten false fire alarm calls at the same address in a single year.

He says there has been a growing number of re-occurring calls to the same address due to the malfunctions that are known and not being fixed. These re-occurring calls are preventable if those responsible for the alarms would properly maintain their systems.

Each call is costly to the town, as there is no way to determine they are false without sending fire personnel to the scene. As many as twenty firefighters may arrive on scene or at the fire hall before it is identified as a false alarm by the fire department.

The new town bylaw will allow three false alarm calls prior to fees being assessed to recoup costs incurred by the town.

The fees will be $410 for each truck sent, plus $50 for additional personal.