HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-OR-12ORDINANCE N0.2009-OR-12
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SERVICE CHARGES FOR FALSE ALARMS
REPORTED TO JEFFERSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Jeffersonville typically responds to fire alarms when notified by
alarm companies and/or the public; and
WHEREAS, many persons who are the owners of property where fire alarms are
installed, are negligent and careless, regarding the use of those alarms; and
WHEREAS, continuous false alarms lower the efficiency and prepared ness of the
firemen of the Jeffersonville Fire Department, thereby causing persons with actual alarms or
emergencies to be disadvantaged; and
WHEREAS, experience has indicated that when persons are assessed penalties for
reporting false alarms that the number of false alarms decrease dramatically.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE that no person, corporation, business, private and/or not
for profit hospital, residential facility or other entity shall report a false alarm to the City of
Jeffersonville Fire Department.
"False alarm" means, in the case of a fire alarm, an alarm signal or recorded message indicating
the presence of fire or excessive smoke or heat, when it fact no evidence exists upon inspection
of the premises upon response to such alarm.
Persons who report false alarms to the City of Jeffersonville Fire Department shall be
fined as follows during any calendar year:
(1) Three false alarms shall be allowed at no penalty to the property owner.
(2) The fourth false alarm shall result in a $150.00 fine.
(3) The 5`h false alarm shall result in a $250.00 fine.
(4) The 6r~' and all other subsequent false alarms shall result in a $350.00 fine
Any company reporting an alarm as the agent for an alarm holder shall be jointly and
severally liable for the payment of fines as outlined above.
For the Fire Department, The Deputy Chief of the Jeffersonville Fire Department shall be
in charge of tracking all reported false alarms to the Jeffersonville Fire Department.
That upon the report of a false alarm the designated person above shall send notice to the
offending property owner of the fine owed by the property owner in accordance to the above
schedule of fines.
The property owner shall have 14 days in which to pay the fine.
Failure to pay the assessed fine shall result in the matter being filed in the Jeffersonville
City Court. The property owner and/or alarm company would then be subject to court costs in
addition to the appropriate fine above.
All fines collected in violation of this ordinance and in response to false alarms
responded to the Jeffersonville Fire Department shall be paid directly to the Jeffersonville Fire
Department Non-reverting Fund.
This Ordinance shall become effective thirty days after its passage upon its last reading.
Passed and adopted by the Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Clark County,
Indiana, on the f ~ ~-~" day of "~}'~ a.rc ti. , 200 ~ .
w
omas Galligan, a r
At st:
eg ilder, City Clerk Treasurer
Presented b me as Clerk Treasurer of the Cit'y.,of/~Jeffersonville this %~~ day of
"~ , 200 ~ . ~~~ L.c1,~~
This Ordinance approved and signed by me this day of , 200
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Thomas Galligan, M y r