Oakmont officials have had enough of false alarms going off and draining police and fire department resources.
Council unanimously approved advertising an ordinance to address the issue Monday night.
“False alarms in any community are a challenge,” borough Manager Scot Fodi said. “This is one mechanism that we have in place to remind individuals and companies that they have a responsibility to make sure their system is up and running properly.
“It puts responsibility back on the building owner to maintain the fire alarm system just as much as they pay attention to the air conditioning and the electrical system and everything else. The goal is not to fine (the property owner). The goal is for them to keep their system in check.”
Fines can add up pretty quickly starting at $50 for the first two offenses in a calendar year in which the police department responds.
Fines jump to $75 for the third false alarm and $100 for the fourth. Each false alarm after that costs $125.
The proposed ordinance gives some leeway for fire calls with the first false alarm not resulting in a fine.
However, the second false alarm in a year in which the fire department responds could result in a $200 fine unless the owner is able to provide proof the alarm system was serviced within 30 days of the original false alarm.
Fines spike to $300 for the third false alarm, $500 for the fourth and $525 for any subsequent false alarms.
Councilman Dave Brankley said the fines are meant to be a deterrent and not a moneymaker for the borough.
Police Chief Michael Ford could not recall how many false alarms his department responded to recently, but said such alarms are more prevalent for firefighters than police.
“Most of the time, communities respond with an ordinance like this because of the business corridor,” said Fodi, who served as a firefighter for Cherry City Volunteer Fire Co. in Shaler. In this case, there have been a couple of repeat (false alarms) in the same week or the same month. As a former firefighter, when you would go three or four times at 2 (a.m.) because they won’t turn the alarm off and fix it, it becomes quite bothersome as a volunteer especially if you have to work the next day.”
The ordinance is expected to be adopted next month.
Other businesses
All motions made Monday night passed unanimously.
Council approved the final payment of $30,000 to American Ramp Co. for completion of the Creekside pump track.
A pump track is a continuous loop of berms and mounds that bicyclists can ride on without pedaling. Its name comes from the pumping motion that riders’ upper and lower bodies make as they ride around a track. It has been open to riders for several weeks.
Council rejected all bids for the arboretum trail and Riverside Park trail paving projects.
Fodi said the bids came in more than double what was expected. Senate Engineering officials are expected to further review bid and project documents.
A community blood drive is slated from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the borough building, 767 Fifth St.
Appointments are recommended but not required. Call 877-258-4825 or go to vitalant.org for more information.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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Oakmont officials want false alarms to stop - TribLIVE
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