Alarm Division

The scope of work for the Fire Alarm Division includes the receipt of alarms from the public (the Municipal Fire Alarm system and E911), processing of the alarms (the fire department responsibilities within Central Dispatch) and prompt notification of the alarm to the emergency responder(s) (the Fire Department's communications system). The Municipal Fire Alarm System selectively signals Central Dispatch of hazardous conditions at convalescent hospitals, residential high rises, schools, municipal buildings and commercial occupancies. This system has been expanded to monitor security at certain Town owned and Board of Education buildings. Savings are achieved because the dispatch center is immediately and directly notified of the service(s) needed (police, fire or medical) so that the appropriate response can be sent. The system also identifies the specific location within a facility where the response is needed, thus hastening the arrival of the responding units. Because the system is self-testing, problems are identified and corrected promptly. Alarm processing occurs at Central Dispatch utilizing the fire department’s standard operating procedures. Working with the Central Dispatch supervisor and under the direction of an Assistant Fire Chief, this division oversees the fire department aspects of Central Dispatch. Future expansion of service is anticipated by the direct link of the radio alarm box system to the public safety computer system. Long-range goals include responder notification and status monitoring via radio to computer system link. No fire department operation can be efficiently managed without continued growth and improvement of its communication system. The Alarm Division is responsible for the maintenance, testing and repair of the base stations, repeaters, mobiles, portables and antennas that make up our radio systems. In addition to internal systems, the division manages our participation in Intercity and mutual aid radio networks. Additional duties provided by this division include maintenance of department electrical equipment and emergency generators, emergency electrical repairs to department facilities, and calibration of combustible and flammable gas meters. The Alarm Division is also responsible for the diagnosis and re-lamping of town owned traffic control signals. Technical assistance is provided to other town departments. The Division has provided technical guidance on Board of Education radio communication projects.