Elgin scales back fire response to nonemergencies

Things figure to be a little calmer for Elgin firefighters during the next large power outage or lightning storm.

Both instances usually activate alarms because backup batteries on alarm systems run out, phone lines lose power or an electrical surge activates an alarm. These are what firefighters classify as "trouble alarms," in essence nonemergency alarms from local businesses when the fire system somehow malfunctions.

Beginning Monday, the Elgin Fire Department stopped responding to trouble alarms called in by third-party monitoring companies, such as ADT or Honeywell, ending a practice in which a three-person engine company was dispatched to the scene to wait for a business key holder to arrive and declare the coast clear.

Elgin Assistant Fire Chief Rudy Horist said firefighters in 2008 responded to just more than 800 "trouble calls." The change means that on average fire engines will have to make at least two less trips a day for nonemergencies, some of which take hours to clear.

"It will save on fuel, it will save on wear and tear on our vehicles," Horist said.

Elgin officials informed alarm companies of the change back in December. On March 1, firefighters also will stop responding to trouble alarms originating from the estimated 180 Elgin buildings that have an emergency signal sent directly to the city's dispatch center.

Horist said the move will allow the department to allocate resources better. He noted alarms have become more sophisticated and the incoming signal can differentiate between a trouble alarm or a serious fire alarm involving smoke.

"If there's any doubt, we'll go," Horist said.

In nearby Carpentersville, the fire department has not responded to trouble alarms since the 1970s, said Assistant Fire Chief Steve Roesslein.

The Carpentersville department received 255 "trouble alarm" calls last year that did not require a response, Roesslein said.

"It's basically your allocation of resources. Do you want to have an engine company tied up on a phone line (problem) and not in quarters and available to respond?" he said. "Most importantly, it keeps our units in place, in quarters and ready to respond to true emergencies."