[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Greenfield as amended 6-15-2011 by Order No. FY 11-103 (Ch. 9 of the 2002 Bylaws). Subsequent amendments noted
where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any device which, when activated by a criminal act, fire
or other emergency calling for Fire Department response: 1) transmits
a signal to Fire Department Headquarters; 2) transmits a signal to
a person who relays information to Police or Fire Headquarters; or
3) produces an audible or visible signal to which the Fire Department
responds. Excluded from this definition and the scope of this chapter
are devices which are designed to alert or signal only persons within
the premises in which the device is installed and devices which are
activated by the release of water from a sprinkler system.
The owner of any premises on which an alarm device is used
shall be deemed an "alarm user."
A telephone device or attachment that mechanically or electronically
selects a telephone line to Fire Headquarters and reproduces a prerecorded
voice message to report a fire or other emergency calling for Fire
Department response. Excluded from this definition are devices which
relay a digital-coded signal to Fire Headquarters.
Any firm or corporation in the business of supplying and
installing alarm devices or servicing the same.
An alarm raised without genuine cause.
An alarm transmitted to the Fire Department that does not require
the saving of human life, extinguishment of a fire, control of hazardous
situations, service, rescue, salvage or other related duties.
An automated device that transmits an alarm without genuine
cause due to said device's malfunction.
A.
Alarm device registration shall be accomplished by contacting the
Greenfield Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division, prior to the
initial start-up of the construction or renovation project. Each alarm
user shall complete a form provided by the Administrator, to include
such information concerning the identity of the prospective alarm
user and the identity of the alarm user's contractor, if any. The
Administrator shall issue the alarm user written acknowledgment of
proper registration. There shall be no fee for the registration of
any fire alarm system.
B.
It shall be the responsibility of each alarm user to notify the Fire
Department in writing of changes in registration information.
No automatic dial alarm may be installed after the effective
date of this chapter without the prior approval of the Fire Department.
When the Chief/Deputy Chief of the Fire Department determines
that the Fire Department has responded to a false alarm, he/she shall
impose a charge on the responsible alarm user according to the following
schedule:
A.
The Fire Chief/Deputy Chief shall notify the responsible alarm user
of any false alarms charged by first-class mail, postage prepaid.
Within 15 days after receiving such notice, the alarm user may file
with the Fire Chief an appeal in writing showing that the alarm was
not false within the meaning of this chapter.
B.
The Fire Chief shall consider such information, reaffirm or rescind
the false alarm charge, and notify the alarm user of his/her decision
by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Within 15 days after mailing
of such notice, the alarm user may file with the hearings officer
an appeal in writing.
Upon receipt of a timely appeal from a false alarm charge, the
hearings officer shall hold a hearing to consider it and shall mail
notice (first-class mail, postage prepaid) of the time and place of
said hearing to the alarm user making the appeal at his/her last known
address at least 15 days before the hearing. The hearings officer
may affirm or return the decision to the Fire Chief.
The Greenfield Fire Department shall act as agent to collect
said fees. All monies collected shall be turned over to the Town Treasurer
at the end of each month for inclusion into the general fund.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the Town, its
departments, officers, agents and employees shall be under no obligation
whatsoever concerning the adequacy, operation or maintenance of any
alarm device or of the alarm monitoring facilities at Fire Headquarters.
No liability whatsoever is assumed for the failure of such alarm devices
or monitoring facilities, or for failure to respond to alarms or for
any other act or omission in connection with such alarm devices. Each
alarm user shall be deemed to hold and save harmless the Town, its
departments, officers, agents and employees from liability in connection
with the alarm user's alarm device.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to alarm devices
on premises owned or controlled by the Town, nor to alarm devices
installed in a motor vehicle.
