For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM PERMIT. A permit issued by the county allowing the operation of an alarm system within the county.
ALARM SIGNAL. A detectable signal, either audible or visible, generated by an alarm system, to which police, fire or rescue is expected to respond.
ALARM SYSTEM. Any assembly of equipment or devices, mechanical, electrical or electronic, arranged to signal the occurrence of an illegal entry or other activity requiring immediate attention and to which police, fire or rescue personnel are expected to respond, but does not include alarms installed in motor vehicles or fire alarms.
ALARM SYSTEM COORDINATOR. A Code Enforcement Officer who is designated by the County Judge-Executive to administer this subchapter.
ALARM USER. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, proprietorship, governmental or educational entity, or any other entity owning or leasing an alarm system, or on whose premises an alarm system is maintained for the protection of the premises.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE. An AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE or an automatic telephone dialing alarm system which, upon activation, is programmed to select one or more predetermined telephone numbers and transmit an emergency message by tape or electronic signal indicating a need for police, fire or rescue response.
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER. The County Central Dispatch Communications Center.
COUNTY. Oldham County, Kentucky.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. Any rescue/ambulance service serving the county.
EMERGENCY PERSONNEL. Police, fire or rescue as defined.
EXCESSIVE FALSE ALARMS. It is hereby found and determined that three or more false alarms within a consecutive 12 month period is excessive and constitutes a violation of this subchapter.
FALSE ALARM. The activation of any alarm system resulting in the notification of law enforcement, fire or rescue, where it has been determined that there was no evidence of the kind for which the alarm system was designed to give notice.
(1) Exceptions to definition of FALSE ALARM.
(a) The term FALSE ALARM shall not include a signal which can be reasonably determined to have been caused or activated as a direct result of external events such as unusually violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstance not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user.
(b) An alarm activated during an alarm system testing procedure shall not be considered a FALSE ALARM if the user first notifies and receives permission from the users alarm company (or designee) and the Alarm System Coordinator, to test the system.
(2) Criteria for determining FALSE ALARM. An alarm is false within the meaning of this subchapter when, upon inspection by responding emergency personnel, evidence indicates that no unauthorized entry, robbery or other crime was committed or attempted in or on the premises, or fire or rescue needed which would have activated a properly functioning alarm system.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. Any fire agency serving the county.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. Any law enforcement agency serving the county.
RESCUE. County Emergency Services or any other volunteer ambulance service servicing in the county.
(Ord. KOC 15-320-001, passed 2-18-2015)