Currently each location is granted one "false, nuisance, or malicious alarm" in any rolling 2 month period. The department wants to change that to zero and massively increase the amount they bill in 2011.
The service wants to bill $1,050 for each alarm that they classify as "false, nuisance, or malicious". I have yet to find a definition for these.
Last year the department brought in over 5 Million dollars in 2009, they project that the new program will increase revenues to just under $11 Million dollars. They expect to be so busy they have budgeted for a 95k per year analyst and two 75k per year assistant accountants to deal with all the increased invoicing.
This policy is wrong for many reasons, not the least of which is properties that have a malicious alarm problem or a system that is wonky....may try to stop having every alarm reported, until they confirm it is a fire....this could result of course in increased property damage and loss of life....as every second counts when fighting a fire. So the problem for owners is just not theirs...they have to worry about their neighbors.
Things to do are to review your fire alarms and causes for the last 3 years.....make sure you have your vendor take action to correct any deficiencies or problems. If you have problems with malicious alarms, consider how you provide coverage to those areas with cameras and signage.
Don't forget to adjust your budgeting for 2011, so you don't get caught.....the document is here...
http://bit.ly/hIKUT1
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