False Alarm Rate Decreases In New York City
The number of false alarms turned in in New York City has decreased by nearly 40 percent in the first six months of this year as compared to the first half of last year.
Mayor Edward I. Koch and Fire Commissioner Augustus A. Beekman have attributed the decrease “largely to the success of the modified response plan, which has been gradually expanded since it began last December 4.”
Under the plan, now in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, fire apparatus is no longer dispatched to answer a call from a voiceoperated (ERS) fire alarm box unless a voice is heard requesting help.
“We have saved at least 60,000 (responses) to ERS boxes,” the Mayor said, “and during that time, we know of only four actual fires where an ERS box button was pushed but no voice was heard.”
Commissioner Beekman also noted that “other factors in the downturn of false alarms and fire incidents besides the modified response plan include a growing community awareness of the dangers of fire to life and property, the increasing use of easily available smoke-detectors, changes in welfare procedures involving fire-relocation payments and in insurance law involving arson for profit, and increased news media interest and other suggestions made in the fire safety program.”
