© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-1 Chapter 4 What is the impact of false dispatches? Alarms: The First Line of Defense

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-2 How Many False Dispatches? Varies by User: Average Per Year 10 years agoToday Residential 2.5 to to 1.5 Commercial 2.0 to to 2.0

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-3 Are There Too Many False Dispatches? YES - One is too many - But The real value & benefit of alarm systems should not be overshadowed by negative publicity. A drug that cures a crippling disease may have some side effects but the overall benefit is unquestionable.

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-4 False Dispatch Rate Alarm Factor Before False Dispatch Reduction 100,000 Dispatches 500 Actual alarms 99,500 False alarms 99,5000 /100,000 = 99.5% False After False Dispatch Reduction 10,000 Dispatches 500 Actual alarms 9,500 False alarms 9,500/10,000 =95.0% False Use the alarm factor (# of false dispatches/ # of alarm systems) to determine the impact of false dispatch prevention not the false dispatch rate.

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-5 Use Alarm Factor, Not False Alarm Percentage Alarm Factor = # of False dispatches # Of alarm systems Remember to always use the Alarm Factor

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-6 Alarm Factor In the example above, the number of false dispatches has not changed but the dispatches/system has been greatly reduced.

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-7 What Do False Dispatches Cost? Penalties or fines due to false dispatches. Loss of credibility with responding authorities. Increased police & fire department costs. Increased alarm company costs for extra labor, parts etc. expended due to false dispatches. Loss of credibility with alarm users.

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-8 Responding $9.51 per call Cover Unit (when $9.51 per call Dispatch cost $11.20 per dispatch Average police cost per call = $23.33 Police Cost To Respond To A Dispatch. Source - Portland 1992

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-9 Cost For Police in 1993 in the USA to respond to false dispatches is estimated at nearly $1,000,000,000. One Billion Dollars

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-10 Impact of False Dispatches Police & Fire Departments –Use of valuable resources –Attitude toward industry Alarms systems do not decrease police work Owners need alarm systems - not the police Industry is not trying to solve problems Alarm Companies –Credibility –Management time & attention –Increased cost Consumer –Slowed response to alarms

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-11 False Dispatches Affect Police Attitudes Some feel: Industry is getting rich on their response Audible alarms do not decrease crime Silent alarms lead to apprehensions & decrease crime Audible alarms do not decrease police work Owners need alarms, not the police Industry is not trying to solve the problem Alarm system failure (false dispatch) rate is 98%

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-12 Police Answers to False Dispatches Reduce priority of response Fines Permits & licensing 900 numbers Suspension of response etc

© 1999 National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association 4-13 Alarms: The First Line of Defense 1- Introduction 2- What is an Alarm System 3- What is A False Dispatch 4- Impact of False Dispatches 5- Causes of False Dispatches 6- Preventing False Dispatches 7- User Controls 8- Sensors 9- The Control 10- The Central Station 11- How Authorities Respond 12- What to expect for Alarm Co.s 13- The Alarm Ordinance 14- Sources of Information 15- Site Survey 5 Minute Break 10 Minute Break 60 Minute Lunch 30 Minute Lunch Next Chapter