LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The city of Louisville has launched an education campaign aimed at promoting alarm system maintenance to reduce the number of false fire alarms.
The Louisville Fire Department is partnering with suburban fire departments, the Louisville Metro Emergency Management Agency and alarm industry groups in launching the program called “Accidental Alarm Reduction Makes Sense.”
According to statistics, one-fourth of fire dispatches in Louisville are false alarms generated by fire alarm systems due to user error or a system malfunction.
A statement from Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson says the initiative includes having firefighters and alarm companies distribute a new brochure about how to reduce false alarms. The statement says public safety announcements for radio and television are also being produced.
“It’s estimated that false alarms cost the fire service throughout this community — all 18 suburban fire departments as well as the urban department — between $1 million and $3 million annually as a result of false alarms,” Abramson says.
