November 4, 2024

Gulf Shores Passes False Alarm Ordinance

GULF SHORES Ala.

An ordinance presented to the Gulf Shores City Council requesting that a fine be issued for false fire alarms has passed.

Due to the increase in calls for fire alarms and elevator entrapments, Gulf Shores City Council has passed the ordinance that will give the city the right to fine building owners for false fire alarms and elevator rescues after three warnings.

During a 60-day- period, the Gulf Shores Fire Department responded to 13 calls for an elevator rescue at 903 W. Beach Blvd, and there were also six calls for fire alarm activation at 213 W. Fort Morgan Road and four fire alarm activations at 21300 Cotton Creek Drive.

All of them proved to be false alarms which potentially tied up the fire department and prevented them from responding to true emergencies.

According to the ordinance, the fourth call for a false fire alarm would trigger a $500 fine or a $50 fine for elevator entrapment. Any additional calls after that would be a $1000 fine. The fines would be levied at the discretion of the fire chief.

“We will deal with each one of these on a case-by-case basis. Our intent is not to make money from this, but our intent is to reduce the number of calls,” said Fire Chief Mark Sealy.

There would be no fines if an alarm was triggered by a person who believed there was an emergency or was activated by lightning.