Responding to false alarms for Salina Police and Salina Fire crews eats up hours of time and productivity that could be used to fight crime and fire.

Salina Fire Marshal Roger Williams tells KSAL News that at least twelve members of the fire department respond when an emergency alarm sounds.

“We treat every alarm as if it’s a real alarm and when we do that we’re sending a ladder truck, two pumpers, an ambulance, a battalion chief, a medical officer and all that equipment is rolling emergency response to that location,” Williams said.

Lt. Wayne Pruitt with Salina Police says two officers respond to commercial business alarms that sound as well.

According to the City of Salina, in 2014 police received 2,056 alarm calls of which 2,052 were false alarms. During the same year Salina Fire received 1,059 alarm calls of which 268 were deemed false alarms.

In an effort to reduce false alarms and maximize productivity of police and emergency staff, the City of Salina has enacted two ordinances to help curb the problem.

Users of burglar, robbery and panic alarm systems that signal the police when unauthorized entry in a building occurs will need to register their alarm system in order to be granted a permit.

The annual fee is $25 and must be renewed annually. The Fire Department’s false alarm ordinance is aimed at commercial business fire alarm system users and also costs $25 a year.

The city’s ordinance also includes penalties for not registering commercial alarm systems. More information can be found on the City of Salina’s website at www.salina-ks.gov.

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