subject: Educates Alarm Owners On The Usage Of Their Alarm Systems [print this page] A staggering 90 - 95% of alarm calls reported are false alarms. This implies that if the police and fire department of a city respond to 100 alarm calls within a period, only 10 of those alarm calls are genuine cases where the police or fire department need to take some action. The remaining 90 calls are false alarms where no actual police intervention is necessary.
The most common causes for false alarms are:
Inadequate training of people permitted access to a security system (children, neighbors, cleaning personnel, real estate agents, guests, relatives, babysitters, service and delivery personnel, etc.)
Weak system batteries
Open, unlocked or loose fitting doors and windows.
Drafts from heaters and air conditioning systems that move plants, curtains, balloons, etc.
Wandering pets.
Although at first sight this may not seem like a serious issue, be assured that it is. False alarms routinely divert police and fire department officials away from real emergencies. Responding to false alarms costs the city and public safety agencies time, resources and money. False alarms tend to desensitize communities to actual incidents of crime and fire.
If your alarm system has generated multiple false alarms over a period of time, neither neighbors nor the police will respond in a time of real emergency. And false alarms cost the alarm owners money as well. Many cities have issued alarm ordinances and charge fines and penalties to alarm owners generating excessive false alarms to try and achieve false alarm reductions.
FAMS false alarm program has been implemented in many cities across the United States to facilitate false alarm reduction.
FAMS False Alarm Management Services is an alarm tracking and billing software solution developed by PMAM Corporation, a company based in Irving, Texas; for local public safety agencies that are struggling to contain the costs associated with residential and commercial security alarm response. FAMS is a total solution that provides the technology, implementation services, and ongoing operational resources to support its users.
Yes, FAMS is a solution mainly aimed at the public safety agencies and the solution has helped many cities reduce false alarms, improve response times and increase revenues by taking over all alarm tracking and billing activities including the collection of alarm license fees and penalties. However, one aspect of the FAMS false alarm program that is not often mentioned is the services provided to citizens.
FAMS, false alarm program plays a large role in educating alarm owners on the correct usage of alarm systems. FAMS supports alarm owners with online tools and helpdesk personnel that make compliance with the citys alarm ordinance fast and easy. The FAMS system educates citizens on the alarm ordinance and proper use of alarms systems. With password protected accesses, FAMS enables online self-service to register alarms and pay the requisite fees.
The FAMS system warns citizens on the verge of exceeding false alarm limits and identifies repeat offenders, working with them to minimize their false alarms. Alarm owners can also pay their false alarm fines online using the FAMS system. A helpful and knowledgeable help desk team ensures that all clients queries and concerns are addressed promptly and correctly.
Using these measures, FAMS has been able to achieve false alarm reduction in several cities by more than 40% thereby saving the city revenue and freeing up the police and fire department resources.
If you are a resident or a business that owns or is planning to own a false alarm system, be sure to educate yourself on the correct usage of your alarm system. Remember, a few simple, routine procedures can help prevent false alarms and give the police and fire department the freedom of resources to deal with real emergencies.
