Nature: Automatic Fire Alarms

1. Friday June, 25 2021 @ 06:59

Address: 32981 Peninsula Esplanade Millsboro, DE 19966

Cross Streets: Medallion Av/Sterling Blvd

Resolution:  Upgraded to Structure Fire

2. Friday June, 25 2021 @ 10:54

Address: 35341 Bay Winds Lane Millsboro, DE 19966

Cross Streets: Bayview Ln/Dead End

Resolution:  Inattentive Cooking / Culinary Mishap

3. Saturday June, 26 2021 @ 18:27

Address: 24500 Kayakers Path Millsboro, DE 19966

Cross Streets: Marina Bay Cir/Dead End

Resolution:  Faulty Detector

4. Saturday June, 26 2021 @ 23:05

Address: 30096 Hollymount Rd Harbeson, DE 19951

Cross Streets: Scottie Rn/Beaver Dam Rd

Resolution:  Faulty Detector

1.Sunday June, 27 2021 @ 05:17

Address: 33401 Marina Bay Circle Millsboro, DE 19966

Cross Streets: Beachcomber Dr/Wakeside Dr

Resolution:  Faulty Detector

Indian River's Weekend Automatic Fire Alarm / Alarm Sounding Response 

Over the past weekend, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company responded to five (5) automatic fire alarms or alarm sounding incidents within its immediate response area. 

Emergency response crews identified that 3 of the 5 responses were affiliated with faulty detector or malfunctioning alarms systems, one response was associated with inattentive cooking, and one response was upgraded to a structure fire incident.

An automatic fire alarm system often plays a major role in loss prevention during a fire emergency. The intended basic purpose of an automatic fire alarm system is to discover and/or detect fires early in the development stage when time will still be available for the safe evacuation of occupants. Early detection also plays a significant role in protecting the fire responder safety. Property loss can be reduced and downtime for the operation minimized through early detection because control efforts are started while the fire is still small. Most alarm systems provide information to emergency responders on the location of the fire, speeding the process of fire control responses, and activating any internal fire suppression or control systems where applicable.

Indian River offers this commentary to assist in reducing these unnecessary or false alarms in both residential and/or commercial structures. Unfortunately, responding to these types of alarms, especially if they could have been prevented, are costly to the fire service organizations.  More importantly, the undue risk that the first responders are exposed to when responding to these types of alarms is significant.

STEPS TO PREVENT FALSE ALARMS

1. Notify the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center at (302) 856-6306, and your alarm company before testing or repairing the system and tell them to place the system ON TEST or OUT OF SERVICE for a specific period of time.

 2. Know how to cancel a false alarm. If the alarm goes off and you are absolutely certain you know what caused the alarm, notify the alarm company immediately and tell them that the “Homeowner wishes to cancel the alarm and that there is no need for the Fire Department to respond.” Have the alarm company’s phone number readily available. If there is any doubt as to whether there really is a fire, don’t take chances – let the Fire Department respond to check it out.

 3. Dust and smoke detectors do not get along! Dust looks just like smoke to a smoke detector. If you are spray painting, sanding floors, installing new drywall, working with heat or doing anything else that produces visible dust, smoke or fumes, there is a good chance that you will set off a smoke detector. Smoke detectors should be covered during construction to prevent dust accumulation in the detector chamber. Once the construction is completed the covers should be removed and the system should be cleaned and the sensitivity checked.

 4. Fire alarm systems need regular testing and maintenance. You expect your fire alarm system to work when it’s needed and not to cause false alarms. The only way to make that happen is to have your system tested and maintained by a certified technician. Deal only with qualified, licensed professionals.

 5.  Fire alarm equipment must be installed properly. Smoke detectors do not belong in kitchens, garages, attics, or just outside of bathrooms with showers. Heat detectors can be used to protect these areas without false alarms or photo-electric alarms can minimize the likelihood of false alarms.

6. Make sure the alarm company has your contact information and correct residential address and location. Many calls that the fire company responds to the “responsible party” information is not available, correct, or current. Once dispatched to an alarm, the Fire Department is obligated to respond to the scene. If no one is on site, the alarm company needs your contact information to inform you of the alarm and the Fire Department might require your response to assist in gaining entrance to the building.  Invalid or inaccurate information could be costly to the facility owner as a result of forcible entry by the fire department, if needed.

By following the aforementioned steps, one can assist in helping to reduce the risk of unnecessary alarms, and therefore avoid the hassle and expense that is caused.

The safety of the residents in our fire district and our first responders is the main priority for the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company. Whenever there is an emergency requiring the Fire Department, our crews will be there to assist. At the same time, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company is working to educate businesses and citizens on ways to reduce non-emergency calls so that our crews will be available to respond where emergency help is truly needed.

If a fire alarm is activated in your home or building, it is always recommended that someone call 9-1-1 should you see fire, smoke, or should you smell something burning. Until the cause of the alarm activation can be clearly determined, the Fire Department should be notified to ensure the safety of everyone in your home or building.

Please know that unless we know differently, the response to a fire alarm at a house or business, is at emergency speed as if there is a real fire related incident. With the growing number of new homes, businesses, and developments in the fire district, there has been a very large increase in the number of alarm incidents and investigations.