The number of false alarms per system per year were (Alarm Factor):

Over 200 of 425 alarm service/installation companies in Illinois have accounts in the participating jurisdictions. 140 companies were mailed corrective forms for accounts with excessive alarms in 1998. 62 companies returned completed forms to the coordinator.

Other statistical information Commercial accounts only: (1998)

• Central station connected accounts - 3.22 false alarms per system per year.
• Direct connect accounts - 9.42 false alarms per system per year.

Eight jurisdictions used the FAAP software to track all of their 1998 dispatches. Of those, Naperville was the only one to show an increase in false dispatches over the previous year. Naperville is the only one of the eight jurisdictions to not pass a new ordinance. Although they have had an ordinance in place since 1994, the permitting of alarms is not enforced, the fine structure is not meaningful, and there is no restriction of response for excessive dispatches. The worst account had 62 false dispatches in 1998 with fines totaling $7295.

Of the six jurisdictions that began participation in the program but did not use the FAAP software, only one reported a reduction in false dispatches in 1998 versus the base year of 1996. Rockford has reported 20% reductions since the enactment of their new ordinance in 1997. Of those six jurisdictions, Rockford is the only one to enact a new ordinance. The ordinance includes alarm permits, a meaningful fine structure, and suspension of response after ten false dispatches.

Jurisdictions, which did not enact a new ordinance, reported 2-5% increases in false dispatches. Glendale Heights and Carbondale both had decreases in their total calls for service, but their number of false dispatches increased.

False Dispatches versus Total Calls for Service :

• In 1996 false dispatches accounted for 7.06% of the total calls for service in the eight participating jurisdictions. There were 248,952 total calls for service, of which 17,588 were false alarm calls.
• In 1998 false dispatches accounted for 6.48% of the total calls for service in the eight participating jurisdictions. There were 247,399 total calls for service, of which 6,026 were false alarm calls.



MODEL STATES REPORT Best Practices in Reducing False Dispatches

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