Gulf Shores passes false alarm ordinance

Gulf Shores passes false alarm ordinance

Due to the increase in calls for fire alarms and elevator entrapments, Gulf Shores City Council has passed an ordinance that will givce the city the right to fine building owners for false fire alarms and elevator rescues after three warnings. The fourth call for a false fire alarm would trigger a $500 fine or a $50 fine for elevator entrapments. 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 off of this, 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.
In a 60 day period, GSFR crews responded to 13 calls for elevator rescue at 903 W. Beach Blvd, and six calls for fire alarm activation at 213 W. Fort Morgan Road and four fire alarm activations at 21300 Cotton Creek Drive.