A. False Fire Alarm Service Charge:
1. An alarm user shall be charged when an alarm signal is transmitted, which indicates the existence of an emergency when, in fact, no such emergency exists. This includes any alarm signal generated by a protection system by whatever means, but excluding alarms from the causes listed below: Systems shall include but are not limited to elevator call buttons, carbon monoxide detection (excluding stand-alone residential detectors), carbon dioxide detection, fire protection systems, fire detection systems (excluding stand-alone residential detectors), fire alert systems, medical alert systems, etc.
2. False alarm: An alarm signal which indicates the existence of an emergency when, in fact, no such emergency exists, including any alarm signal generated by a protection system by whatever means, but excluding alarms from the following causes:
a. Fire causing damage to the protected premises verified by the Fire Department;
b. Flooding to a protected premise;
c. Lightning caused physical damage to the protected premises;
d. An electronic malfunction at the Village's central station (DuComm);
e. Electrical service interruption;
f. Plumbing or electrical malfunctions unrelated to the fire protection system;
g. Physical damage to property caused by earthquake, high winds or other natural/man-made disaster;
h. Alarms activated by the malicious conduct of a third person;
i. Accidental activation during testing so long as the testing has been reported to the Fire Department Alarm Office (DuComm) prior to the accidental activation.
ANY ALARM RESET PRIOR TO FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVAL, LEAVING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT UNABLE TO INVESTIGATE ITS ORIGIN, MAY BE SUBJECT TO PENALTY DESPITE THE CAUSATION LIST ABOVE.
3. Billing:
a. Residential: Per calendar year: 0-1 no charge; 2 - warning of upcoming fees; 3-5 $100 each; 6-8 $200 each; 9+ $400 each.
b. Commercial: Per calendar year: 0-1 no charge; 2 - warning of upcoming fees; 3-5 $250 each; 6-8 $500 each; 9+ $1000 each.
4. Failure to notify: Any commercial alarm user whose alarm system generates a false alarm as a result of work or testing being done to the system without prior notification to their alarm monitoring provider shall be assessed a failure to notify fee as per the following schedule: $250 per occurrence (alarms of this origin shall not count toward false alarm totals).
B. Security Service Monitoring Charge: Each person subscribing to a security service which is monitored by the village shall pay a monthly charge effective October 1, 2009, of twenty dollars ($20.00) to the village, with a three percent (3%) yearly escalation increase starting January 1, 2011. Said charge may be paid to the agency supplying the monitoring board, provided that said agency promptly remits the monthly fee to the village.
C. Liability Of Village Limited: The village assumes no liability for:
1. Any defects in the operation of an alarm system.
2. Failure or neglect to respond appropriately upon receipt of an alarm.
3. Failure or neglect of any person in connection with the installation, operation or maintenance of an alarm system.
4. The transmission of alarm signals, prerecorded alarm messages or the relaying of such signals and messages.
(Ord. G-329, 9-28-1982; Ord. G-486, 4-14-1992; Ord. G-898, 9-8-2009; Ord. G-911, 12-8-2009; Ord. G-1219, 11-10-2022; Ord. G-1245, 12-12-2023)