posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 11:52 AM
by
klehan
Canandaigua (NY) City Council Passes Law to Fine for False Alarms
The Canandaigua (NY) City Council passed a new law that will bring in additional revenue: a fee to residents or business owners who have more than two false fire alarms per year.
But the excessive avoidable alarm law isn’t designed primarily to raise money, said Fire Department Chief Matthew Snyder. The goal, he said, is to reduce the number of false fire calls, which drain firefighter time and resources.
“If we’re busy chasing down a false alarm and get a real call, we’re going to be delayed,” said Snyder.
He said he hopes the fines encourage the owners of businesses and multi-family homes to prevent false calls. Snyder said 33 businesses have alarms that ring directly into the department; numerous others contract through a private alarm system. Those private systems eventually ring into the department, as well.
Given the number of avoidable alarm calls this year — caused by anything from a malfunctioning alarm to excessive cooking smoke — the city expects to take in $2,500 in 2009 from the fees.
Following the third avoidable alarm in a calendar year, the city will charge the business $100. Any additional calls will be charged $150, said City Manager Kay James.