Setting off alarms by cooking? Fire department could send you a bill

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Burned toast or steaming hot showers setting off fire alarms could cost Edmontonians starting next year as the fire department hopes to cut down on a spike in unnecessary calls.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Service (EFRS) plans to start charging locals who repeatedly trigger frivolous false alarms, intentionally or by mistake, if firefighters are sent out but find no real danger when they arrive. Homeowners can be fined around $100 after one warning, and up to around $1,000 for the fourth unnecessary alarm in one year. Fines for other property owners would range from about $400 to $1,500.

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Calls triggered by fire alarms have gone up about 60 per cent in the last five years, city council’s community and public services committee heard on Monday. There were 13,914 alarm calls so far in 2024, about 90 per cent unnecessary.

Fire leadership was at city hall asking council to support bylaw changes meant to reduce unnecessary calls for service that are putting pressure on firefighters and equipment.

“If no real danger exists in 90 per cent or more of alarm calls, we can confidently say that these calls negatively impact response from EFRS and create complacent public behaviour toward potential emergencies,” Deputy Chief Tiffany Edgecombe told councillors. “There is a need to change behaviour and change our process.”

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Fire officials will follow up with property owners after a false alarm with advice, or lay a fine if the problem continues. But the hope is property owners take action to prevent the issue from happening again.

“By directly encouraging owners to prevent unwanted alarms, behavioural change is more likely,” Edgecombe said.

“More importantly, it will be another step in managing the mental and physical health of frontline personnel that have been challenged with increasing workloads in recent years.”

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Property owners can file an appeal to dispute a bill.

The new approach will reduce call volumes and allow firefighters to focus on responding to emergencies, she said. It will ultimately save fuel costs, reduce wear-and-tear on equipment and trucks, and allow for firefighters to spend more time on prevention and training.

EFRS will launch a public awareness campaign in early 2025 if the bylaw update is approved.

Changing definitions and fines

This is a marked departure from the current rules, though officials say it’s in line with recommendations from national and international firefighting groups

At present, “false alarms” carry a fine when triggered by something other than heat, smoke or fire, or if there’s a request for fire services when there’s no actual or potential danger to people, property or the environment.

If council approves the bylaw amendment at the next meeting, Edmonton’s fire department will instead bill for “unwanted alarms,” sending homeowners owners an invoice if alarms are unnecessarily triggered more than once in 12 months.

“Unwanted alarms” include nuisance calls such as smoke detectors set off by cooking, mistaken activations while doing maintenance or leaning on an alarmed door, alarms purposely set off by mischief-makers, and for any other reason including malfunctions.

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Acting Fire Chief David Lazenby said false alarms have been happening his entire career. But the recent spike in calls has been putting a lot of pressure on the department.

“It’s just that constant call volume. And (firefighters) don’t complain, they step up — they signed up, they want to protect the public,” he said. “But it’s that cumulative effect of call, after call, after call, after call. When you get an unwanted alarm at three o’clock in the morning, then four o’clock in the morning, and you’re there, and they’re mindful they’re not protecting other people that have a much greater need, it takes its toll eventually.

“It’s hard for first responders in this city.”

While there are different reasons for this spike, Lazenby suspects the rise in new home monitoring systems in single-family homes partially explains it. Some aren’t set up properly and have smoke alarms installed in the wrong locations.

“It’s the opportunity to save money, but there’s obviously a consequence for us in terms of these detectors not being placed correctly,” he said. “There are a range of behaviours that contribute to the overall increase in alarms, and we have to challenge all of those.”

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Lazenby warned property owners shouldn’t expect leniency if they’re attempting to appeal a fine.

“It will be the exception, and not the norm, that somebody’s appeal will be approved,” he said. “This is about encouraging people to take their responsibility seriously and see a positive change in behaviour.”

Coun. Anne Stevenson was interested in having alarm companies pay fines for faulty equipment, but it wasn’t clear if this was possible with the city’s bylaws.

All four members of council’s committee ultimately supported the bylaw change.

“It’s really important to ensure it’s a sustainable service, both for the members who are working in those roles and for Edmontonians as well,” Stevenson said during the meeting.

Coun. Ashely Salvador said the fire department’s recommendations make sense.

“The data clearly illustrates a concerning increase in alarm calls, the majority of which as we learned do not necessitate an emergency response, and that does lead to an overextension of our resources. It not only strains crews who are on the frontlines, but also risks delaying assistance to those in need.

“I think the approach is thoughtful, it’s pragmatic, and will allow EFRS to optimize efficiencies and effectiveness.”

[email protected]

@laurby

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