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False Alarms
Many homes and businesses in the Village of Cottage Grove use monitored fire alarm systems. When a fire is detected, the alarm system automatically sends a signal through a phone line to a central monitoring station. An operator at the station then immediately notifies the Dane County Communications Center, which dispatches the Fire Department.
Modern systems can also monitor for carbon monoxide and combustible gas. Thanks to advancements in technology, these systems can even pinpoint the exact location and type of device that was activated. The time it takes for the fire department to arrive on the scene after an alarm is activated can be as long as 10 to 12 minutes.
Responding to Alarm Investigations
Upon being dispatched to an alarm, the fire department sends an engine with a minimum of four firefighters. If we receive information en route that the alarm is false, we may adjust our response, but we will still continue to the house. Our goal is to confirm the alarm's status, determine the cause, assist the homeowner with resetting the system if needed, and survey the property for future responses.
If the homeowner contacts the alarm company or dispatch before we are dispatched and confirms it's a false alarm, the response may be canceled. However, once the fire department has been dispatched, we will always continue to the location. Often, police units will arrive within 3 to 4 minutes and can provide us with valuable updates before we get there.
Causes
Most all the causes of false fire alarms can be prevented. Below is a list of the common causes we have found in our community. These can often embarrass residents who feel bad about calling the fire department out unnecessarily.
- Cooking and Steam
- Smoke from burned food on the stove (#2 Cause)
- Steam from a shower or cooking
- Smoke from a woodstove or fireplace
- Dirt and Debris
- Smoke from a very dirty self-cleaning oven
- Dust from construction work in the home
- Detectors that are not maintained or are dirty
- Detectors that have insects or pollen in them
- Vehicle Exhaust
- Car exhaust entering the house from an open garage door
- Malfunctions
- Outdated detectors or expiring batteries (#1 Cause)
- Electrical malfunction or component failure with the alarm system
- Electrical power surges from the power company
- A technician working on or testing the system without notifying the fire department
The Problem
In 2024, 33% of fire responses in the Village of Cottage Grove were for false alarms. Responding to these preventable calls is not only costly for the district but also exposes firefighters to unnecessary risk, as every alarm is treated as a real fire until proven otherwise. The increasing number of new homes built over the last 20 years, many with comprehensive alarm systems, has led to a significant rise in residential fire alarm investigations.
Things you can do
| Place in Proper Places | Properly Train all Users | Equipment Check-Ups | Maintain & Clean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work with alarm company to ensure proper placement and optimum coverage for your occupancy. | Understand Passcode Entry processes and abort processes | Schedule regular inspections of the system each year to ensure its functioning properly. | Don't allow contractor's in your occupancy who may create dust or smoke without giving them instructions and properly protecting the alarm/detection system. |
| If cooking and it gets smokey, turn on exhaust fans, open windows and doors, and prevent smoke from tripping alarm. | Ensure Users have appropriate pass or verification codes. | Work with the alarm company to ensure the system is in "test mode" when performing maintenance tests. | Contact a qualified fire alarm system service provider to have your system cleaned, inspected, or repaired. |
| Consider rate of rise heat detectors vs smoke detector | Educate users on necessary timeframes for code entry and abort processes | Check battery back-ups and replace batteries when necessary. |
We will work with you
The Fire Department understands that preventing false alarms can sometimes be difficult, and we find that most residents are responsive in addressing the cause. However, to mitigate the problem, the Village of Cottage Grove has an ordinance prohibiting false alarms.
According to Village ordinance, a fourth violation within a 12-month period will incur a minimum fine of $500. For an eighth or subsequent violation within the same 12-month period, the minimum fine increases to $1,000 for each offense. The Fire Department will offer guidance on the causes of alarms when they are identified, but it remains the property owner's responsibility to ensure false alarms are prevented.