Parkland County has a False Alarm Bylaw.
Here is what you need to know:
The False Alarm Bylaw was passed on November 22, 2016. Fire Services continues working towards education and awareness of the bylaw, its associated fees, and the impacts false alarms have on the community (sending fire trucks to false alarms may endanger those experiencing true emergencies).
Why?
False alarms make up nearly 20% of the Fire Services total number of annual emergencies. These incidents have a significant financial impact on Parkland County in excess of $75,000+ a year. Fees are in place to reduce false alarms and recover costs.
Who is affected?
Parkland County businesses and home owners who have fire alarms systems that are commonly monitored by an alarm company.
What will happen?
Parkland County will recover the costs incurred by false alarms calls when Parkland County responds to:
- more than one false alarm on a parcel of land within a calendar year, or
- a false alarm from Alarm System where its Alberta Fire Code certification is more than 90 days expired;
Anatomy of a fire alarm
Definitions
False alarm |
| An alarm from an alarm system that is not caused by heat, smoke or fire, or a request for fire services where no actual emergency exists; |
Nuisance alarm |
| More than one False Alarm on a parcel of land within a calendar year; or A false alarm from Alarm System where its Alberta Fire Code certification is more than 90 days expired |
Response |
| Receipt of a call of an activated Alarm System, regardless of whether the call results in the attendance at the Premises by the County. Most County Fire Services staff are volunteers who are paid-on-call, resulting in an incurred cost whenever activated. |
Respond/responding |
| An action taken to assemble and/or deploy first responders |
Fees
Residential False Alarm Recovery |
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Commercial/Industrial - Compliant Alarm System Recovery |
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Commercial/Industrial - Non-Compliant Alarm System Recovery |
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Non Emergent Boat Recovery |
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Did you know?
An Alarm Call Costs approximately $500 in staff wages in addition to operating costs. Here are some stats from recent years:
- 2019, Fire Services responded to 162 false alarm calls. This amounts to 18.9% of the Fire Services total number incidents this year.
- in 2018, Fire Services responded to 176 false alarm calls. This amounts to 18.8% of the Fire Services total number incidents this year.
- In 2017, Fire Services responded to 145 false alarm calls. This amounts to 17.8% of the Fire Services total number incidents this year.
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