False Alarms in the Future Could Cost You [Audio]

(Hannibal, Mo)—The Hannibal City Council is considering a proposal that would establish fines for repeated false alarm calls to the Fire Department.  Chief Bill Madore says the legislation is a proactive approach…

This legislation is to reduce the amount of unwanted or nuisance fire alarms, meaning activations of a fire alarm that brings a fire department response and we find out it is a false alarm.  The goal is proactive fire prevention- to make sure smoke detectors and fire alarms are installed, tested, and maintained accordingly."

Madore says some false alarms are not within the scope of the new ordinance...

A lot of times we'll have alarm activations during severe weather, obviously that can't be helped; its not the scope of this intent here.  Quite honestly, if we have a smoke detector or alarm system that we feel is constantly being activated due to improper maintenance, we can work with those individuals, or, worst case scenario, we can attach a monetary fine to that".

Chief Madore says his department receives 100 to 150 false alarm calls a year.