§ 8-83. False/accidental alarms.

(a)

It is unlawful to call for the services of emergency assistance when the caller knows that an emergency does not exist. Provisions for negligent calls of this type are governed by Virginia Code, section 18.2-212.

(b)

Every individual, business or organization which has an alarm system which automatically reports such alarm to a public safety answering point (PSAP) or provides for notification of off-site personnel, as defined in section 8-101, shall be responsible for the proper functioning of that alarm system. Failure to do so could result in revocation of permit to operate.

(c)

Every individual, business or organization which has an alarm system, as defined in section 8-101, shall be required to notify the appropriate PSAP that an accidental alarm has been activated within two (2) minutes of the alarm sounding or such individual, business or organization may be liable for payment of a fee for response to the alarm. (Virginia Code, section 15.1-28.2.)

(d)

For those identified in paragraph (b) above, a fee will be assessed for each accidental alarm responded to where the appropriate PSAP has not been notified within two (2) minutes of the alarm activation. In the case of security alarms, two (2) accidental calls each month will be permitted with no additional charge. Beginning with the third alarm received in any given month, a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fee will be assessed for the third and subsequent alarms received during that month. In the case of fire alarms, two (2) accidental calls per year will be permitted with no additional charge. Beginning with the third alarm received in any given calendar year, a seventy-five dollar ($75.00) fee will be assessed for the third and subsequent alarms received during that calendar year. When a call is received by the central communications center within the two-minute notification period, the alarm will not be considered a billable alarm for the purposes of this section.

(e)

All fees collected as a result of this section shall be used to offset costs associated with the monitoring of alarms and to reimburse for personnel expenses incurred as a direct result of response to accidental alarms.

(f)

The Franklin County Department of Public Safety, Communications Division shall be responsible to carry out the provisions of this section.

(Res. No. 15-12-90, 12-17-90)

(Res. No. 15-12-90, 12-17-90)