FARA Achievement Award:
Honorable Mention
Baltimore County, False Alarm Reduction Program
Nominated by: Steven Heggemann
Rationale: Baltimore County’s False Alarm Reduction Program, like most mature alarm reduction programs, has significantly reduced both the number of false alarms and the false alarm rate. In 2000, the residential and commercial false alarm rate stood at 0.92. By 2005, the false alarm rate was cut by more than half to 0.44.
What sets the Baltimore County Alarm Reduction Team apart is that significant reductions were achieved in spite of the County’s decision in 2001 to:
- reduce the fee schedule for false alarms by nearly 50%;
- move from a “look back” 365 day period for determining false alarm fees to a calendar year;
- allow an annual waiver of one false alarm when the alarm system is tested and inspected;
- increase the deadline for filing an appeal of a false alarm from 30 to 90 days
- extend the due date for invoices from 30 to 90 days
In 2006, less than 15% of commercial and 3% of residential alarm system users were charged a fee for false alarms. Clearly, the significant reduction in false alarm rates has not been achieved by relying solely on financial penalties. Members of the Alarm Reduction Team seek out and use each personal contact with alarm system users as an opportunity to increase their understanding of the dangers and hidden costs of false alarms. Although very time consuming, these educational/outreach initiatives have proven to be highly effective tools in motivating residential and commercial alarm system users to further reduce their false alarm rates.
Baltimore County’s Alarm Reduction Team actively develops and maintains partnerships to advance and support initiatives, programs and legislation that would not be possible if acting alone. Recent partners include: The Maryland Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, IQ Certification Program, False Alarm Management Professionals in the Mid Atlantic Region, vendors and numerous alarm companies.
Baltimore County’s Alarm Management program has benefited immeasurably from its association with F.A.R.A.
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