[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Manchester as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Noise — See Ch. 229.
[Adopted 12-14-2010 by L.L. No. 2-2010]
A. 
It is the purpose of this article to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town of Manchester and emergency responders that provide valuable emergency services to the residents of this community.
B. 
Avoidable fire alarms and improperly maintained fire alarm systems contribute to ineffective utilization of public safety manpower and equipment and an unnecessary burden on volunteer firemen and other emergency responders.
C. 
In addition, all alarms require immediate and rapid response from first responders. Avoidable alarms place first responders in unnecessary harm's way and may contribute to higher accidents or injury and possible delays to genuine emergencies.
D. 
It is the intention of the Town of Manchester Town Board to encourage proper maintenance of fire alarm systems at all times, but establish penalties for those property owners who fail to do so, thereby creating a public nuisance and/or public safety violation.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have meanings as indicated:
AVOIDABLE ALARMS
The activation of a fire alarm or fire alarm system of components through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, negligence, tampering, or other avoidable cause of the owner, employee or agent of the owner, tenant, lessee, occupant, or custodian that by any cause indicates that an emergency situation exists requiring an emergency response when, in fact, an emergency situation does not exist.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
An emergency response is created when a fire department is dispatched via the Ontario County Emergency Dispatch Center (or other means) to respond to the alarmed premises. An emergency response will continue to exist until such time as the fire department investigates the alarm activation, and either abates or determines the conditions safe.
EMERGENCY SITUATION
An event or chain of events that, if left unabated, has the potential to cause injuries, loss of life, or damage to property.
Any person, entity, home, business, establishment or institution that incurs in excess of three avoidable alarms during any three-hundred-sixty-five-day period will be fined $250 for the fourth avoidable alarm and $250 for each and every subsequent avoidable alarm after the fourth avoidable alarm that occurs within a three-hundred-sixty-five-day period. Payment of the fine or fines is due immediately to the Town of Manchester.