Calif. Fire Dept. to Charge for False Fire Alarms

Sept. 10—False fire alarms take up time for firefighters who respond, and soon will literally cost money for those who may be responsible for the alarms.

Beginning Oct. 1, the Alameda Fire Department will bill residents, as well as owners and occupants of commercial buildings, for false alarms that demand a response from firefighters.

The department defines a false fire alarm as "any fire alarm sounding situation where fire suppression activities are not needed upon arrival."

Last year, the department responded to more than 400 false alarms, which it said caused lengthier response times to actual emergencies.

The City Council approved the fines in July.

For homes, there is no charge on a first false alarm. But for the second alarm, it is $236; the third and fourth alarms are $296; and for each additional alarm $606.

There also is no charge after the first false alarm at a commercial building. A second alarm will cost $296 and result in a fire inspection. The fine for a third alarm will cost $606; and each additional alarm will cost $606.