Following a series of unheeded warnings, the City of Flin Flon will begin fining residents for false fire alarms that could have been averted.
The announcement targets owners of home security systems that at times needlessly summon firefighters.
“We can’t keep sending out men for that,” said Mayor George Fontaine.
At the discretion of Fire Chief Jim Petrie, the city will now levy false-alarm fines of $500 to home owners and $750 to business owners.
Forgotten code
Petrie said most security-system-related false alarms involve homeowners who cannot remember the code that tells the system firefighters are not really needed.
These false alarms can stem from burning toast, accidents or electrical malfunctions, he said.
Petrie said false-alarm fines can also be imposed for the malicious act of pulling a building’s fire alarm as a prank.
But both Petrie and Fontaine stressed that fines will not apply to residents who believe they see signs of fire even if it turns out there are no flames.
“That’s not a false alarm, that’s an honest judgement from the individual and we would never criticize someone that feels something could be wrong and calls us,” said Petrie.
As of mid-last week the city had not issued any false-alarm fines in recent times, but the policy allowing fines to be charged is not a new one.
Petrie said it’s important that home security systems be monitored even when the owner is away.
If the system summons firefighters and no one is home, he said, firefighters must break into the house to determine the root of the alarm.
“We consider all calls as real until proven otherwise, obviously,” Petrie said.
Though the fine amounts of $500 and $750 won’t normally recoup the full expense of a false alarm – the deployment of firefighters usually costs $1,000 or more – it is hoped they will be a sufficient deterrent.
