Township of Kidder, PA: Malfunctioning systems.

Editor’s Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 55, Alarms, adopted 11-13-1984 by Ord. No. 42, as amended.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

Under this chapter, any device or system which conveys to the answering party information about some event the device or system is designed to monitor such as fire or burglary. In operation, the automatic alarm system would sense the presence of fire or unlawful entry and automatically notify the answering party of exactly what is taking place.

§ 55-2 Purpose.

This chapter would require that all automatic alarm systems which are programmed to report directly or through an agent to the Emergency Communications Center for Kidder Township be registered with the Kidder Township Police Department so that each piece of automated equipment could be properly identified.

§ 55-3 Scope.

Automatic alarm systems which are owned and operated by individuals, businesses, corporations, or other organizations but are not programmed to contact the Emergency Communications Center for Kidder Township directly or through an agent are not subject to the rules of this chapter, except as follows:

Any individual, business, corporation or other entity that is engaged in the general business activity of receiving alarm signals from automatic alarm systems of any type, and who, as a part of their relationship, understanding or contract with their customer agrees to forward all incoming alarm systems, automatically or by phone to the Emergency Communications System serving Kidder Township, shall register each piece of equipment they are monitoring, the location, and type of service provided with the Kidder Township Police Department.

§ 55-4 Malfunctioning systems.

All alarm systems or devices shall be maintained in good repair by the owner or operator. When any piece of alarm equipment transmits false alarms for a second time within any given three-hundred-sixty-day period to the Emergency Communications System directly or through any agent, the owner shall be notified by certified mail to have the equipment repaired within 15 days. Said three-hundred-sixty-day period shall run from date of alarm.

If the condition persists after the fifteen-day allowed repair time, the owner or operator shall be charged as follows:

(1)

For the third false alarm within the said three-hundred-sixty-day period, a fee of $250 payable to Kidder Township to reimburse for costs for response to said alarm;

(2)

For the fourth time within the said three-hundred-sixty-day period, a fee of $350 payable to Kidder Township to reimburse for cost for response to said alarm;

(3)

For the fifth time within the said three-hundred-sixty-day period, a fee of $500 payable to Kidder Township to reimburse for cost for response to said alarm;

(4)

In the event an alarm monitoring company and/or the owner of the alarm system tests or activates the alarm, when there is no need for fire company services, and the Carbon County Communication Center dispatches a Kidder Township Fire Company, a fee of $500 shall be assessed to the party responsible for the activation;

(5)

In the event maintenance personnel or contractors working in the alarm protected area activate the alarm without previously notifying the Carbon County Communications Center and this activation results in a Kidder Township Fire Company being dispatched, the responsible party will be assessed a fee of $500.

(6)

All monies received from these fees shall be deposited into the Township's General Fund and after any administrative cost incurred by the Township are reimbursed shall be split between the Township Volunteer Fire Companies or shall be forwarded to the Volunteer Fire Company(s) responding to the call.

(7)

The Chief of the responding Fire Company shall notify the Township of the violation of this chapter and the Township shall issue a citation in accordance with this chapter.

(8)

In the event the fee as set out herein is not paid within 30 days of assessment of said fee by the Township of Kidder, the Kidder Township Police Department shall file a citation for violation of this section of this chapter.