Amherst (Mass.) Fire Dept. Wants to Charge for False Alarms
AMHERST, Mass. — The fire department chief here has proposed a false fire alarm ordinance in an effort to bring in additional revenue through fines and improve safety and efficiency during response calls.
The proposed regulation would have the city adopt the state of Massachusetts fire prevention code, reports AmherstPatch.com. Under the ordinance, first-time offenders within a calendar year would not face fines. However, alarm users would face fines if another incident occurred within that timeframe.
Single-family homes with false fire alarms would face fines of $25 for the second violation. Penalties would increase by $25 for each offense thereafter. The proposed fee schedule charges $150 per false alarm for all buildings, with the fine increasing $150 for each subsequent violation.
Offenders can appeal the fines to the Amherst fire chief, which can then be appealed to the state fire marshal.
The revenue for the fines would help reduce possible destruction to property during an emergency call, as well as provide quicker access to buildings, according to Amherst Fire Chief Mark Boynton.
The Amherst officials will review the ordinance in July. If approved, it would go into effect immediately.
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