Kensington looking to cut down on false fire alarms

The Town of Kensington is considering whether it needs a false fire alarm policy. According to a report compiled by staff, false alarms have comprised 32 per cent of the total calls to the fire department so far this year.

During Monday’s committee of council meeting there was a general discussion about how false alarms inconvenience firefighters and wear on equipment.

This is a followup discussion from a policy the town adopted earlier this year, allowing it to issue $200 fines to commercial properties whose alarm system repeatedly sends out false signals, tying up police services and costing the town money. The community is now considering whether it wants a similar policy for the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department.

Adding to the discussion was a letter Mayor Rowan Caseley read from the community’s deputy fire Chief Rodney Hickey on the subject.

Hickey questioned the need to potentially fine businesses as, he noted, fire alarm systems can be touchy and can be triggered accidentally, despite the owner’s best efforts.

“As long as the building owner can prove they are doing everything possible to stop these alarms, I would think it would be very hard to present them with a bill,” wrote Hickey.

Still, many councillors expressed a desire to do something to reduce the number of false alarm calls.

Councillors decided, at least initially, that the town would start sending information letters to businesses whose fire alarms prove to be repeat false alarm offenders.