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Fire False Alarms

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1. Why is the fire department implementing these fees?

The fees imposed by the fire department are in response to the Common Council’s decision to control property tax increases for the City of La Crosse. Through a combination of reducing city expenditures and charging for certain services the council is balancing the needs for services and the costs for such services.

2. Is the fire department the only department charging fees?

No, all city departments were instructed to identify potential fees and submit them to the Common Council for approval.

3. How do I find out what the fees are?

All of the fees that the city charges are listed on the city’s web site

4. Is La Crosse the only city that charges fees for services?

No, many of the comparable cities to La Crosse charge similar fees and amounts.

5. What fees does the fire department charge for?

The department charges fees for conducting semi-annual fire inspections, false alarms, vehicle fires, retail sale of fireworks and recreational fires.

6. What is the fee for false alarms?

There is no fee for the first false alarm in a calendar year. You will be charged for $50.00 for the second and third false alarms; $200.00 for the fourth, fifth, and sixth false alarms; and $400.00 for seven or more false alarms in a calendar year.

7. What constitutes a false alarm

A false alarm is basically defined as the activation of a fire alarm or detection system not by a fire or other hazard.

8. What if my building’s alarm system activates as a result of a thunderstorm?

This would not be considered a false alarm and not counted towards the calendar year calculation of false alarms for your building. Alarms systems that activate as a result of power outages, thunderstorms, tornados, or other acts of nature are not counted as false alarms.

9. What if a resident burns food on the stove and the smoke activates the building’s fire alarm system?

Because the smoke alarm system activated as a result of the detection of smoke from the burned food, the alarm operated properly and this would not be considered a false alarm.

10. What can I do to prevent false alarms?

The automatic fire sprinkler/standpipe or alarm system manufacturer will provide you with recommended scheduled maintenance to assure that your system remains in optimum performance. If you don’t have this information you should contact the manufacturer to obtain this important information.

11. Can I remove the alarms system to prevent false alarms?

No, removal of the alarms system is not permitted under state and local building and fire codes. These systems are designed to alert the building occupants to a life threatening situation and/or hold the fire in check until the fire department arrives to assist occupants and extinguish the fire.

12. Can I silence the alarm or instruct people not to call the fire department if the alarm sounds to prevent a false alarm?

Alarm and detection systems are considered life safety systems. Silencing the alarm or telling people to silence the alarm or not to call the fire department is prohibited. There may be legal ramifications to you for silencing or instructing people to silence alarms or not call the fire department in the event of alarm activation.

13. How often should I test my alarm system to prevent false alarms?

As per state and local fire codes, all fire alarm systems should be tested monthly by the building owner or his/her designee, and annually by a certified fire alarm contractor. You need to determine if your alarm system is monitored by an alarm monitoring company. If so contact them and tell them that you are going to test the alarm system; this will stop the alarm company from notifying the fire department when they received the alarm signal. Be sure and inform them when you are finished testing the alarm.

14. If my alarm system activates can I simply call the fire department and tell them not to respond?

Unfortunately when the fire department is notified of an alarm we simply cannot cancel and ignore the alarm. Typically only one unit will arrive at your location to verify that the alarm was false.

15. Is there additional information available for the prevention of false fire alarms?

Yes the fire department has published a checklist for the prevention of false alarms on our web site, www.cityoflacrosse.org/fire. We would also encourage you to contact the alarm manufacturer or the installer for recommendations as well.

16. Who do I contact if I have more questions concerning false alarms?

You can contact the La Crosse Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at 608-789-7260 should you have more specific questions.