False Fire Alarm Information

The West Chicago Fire Protection District has adopted a false alarm ordinance to ensure that fire alarm systems in our community are well-maintained and to discourage malicious false alarm activity.  False system activations cause significant issues, including a lack of responsiveness by building occupants ("The Cry Wolf" scenario) and a substantial risk to both the public and firefighters. False activations also draw resources away from other genuine emergencies.  Everyone must do their part to minimize the potential for false fire alarms, such as following maintenance requirements, never leaving cooking operations unattended, using open flames carefully (candles, torches, etc.), and discouraging activities that could lead to system damage or malicious activation.   

If you are testing or servicing a fire alarm system, please call your Central Station Monitoring service and advise that you need to take your alarm "out of service".  It is important to recontact them when testing/servicing is complete to ensure proper protection.

If you see suspicious activity related to a fire alarm system, such as someone tampering with a pull station, please call 9-1-1 to report the situation.

Repetitive false system activations will result in the application of fines as outlined in our local law (also known as an ordinance).   A copy of our ordinance can be view by clicking on this link: FALSE ALARM ORDINANCE