Alarm Company Information Effective August 1st, 2010. Chapter 3.40 Alarm Systems Summary for Alarm Businesses The objective of this ordinance is to reduce the number of false alarms which are generated each day within the City of Wichita so that emergency personnel are free to respond to real emergencies. On average, 98% of the alarm dispatches called into the Emergency Communications Center on a daily basis are false alarms. Many of these alarms are due to accidental tripping of the alarm, a pet tripping the alarm, initial testing of the equipment, improperly installed or adjusted equipment, or faulty equipment. Whatever the reason, Wichita emergency personnel resources are dispatched for each alarm called into the Emergency Communications Center by an alarm business. The False Alarm Response fee is based on the alarm business dispatch calls to the Emergency Communications Center reporting the alarm; the fees are not based on emergency response. The following information is a summary of the City of Wichita Chapter 3.40 Alarm Systems Ordinance and is not intended to cover everything included within the ordinance. Whenever summarization creates a conflict, the official ordinance governs. A copy of the entire ordinance is available for your review at the City Clerk’s office or directly from the Internet at www.wichitapolice.com. 1. License Fee. An annual non-refundable fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall accompany each application for an alarm business license. Further, each alarm business shall submit payment of all outstanding administrative penalties, as a requirement of completing the application process.
Alarm Company Information
Effective August 1st, 2010.
Chapter 3.40 Alarm Systems Summary for Alarm Businesses
The objective of this ordinance is to reduce the number of false alarms which are generated each day within the City of Wichita so that emergency personnel are free to respond to real emergencies. On average, 98% of the alarm dispatches called into the Emergency Communications Center on a daily basis are false alarms. Many of these alarms are due to accidental tripping of the alarm, a pet tripping the alarm, initial testing of the equipment, improperly installed or adjusted equipment, or faulty equipment. Whatever the reason, Wichita emergency personnel resources are dispatched for each alarm called into the Emergency Communications Center by an alarm business. The False Alarm Response fee is based on the alarm business dispatch calls to the Emergency Communications Center reporting the alarm; the fees are not based on emergency response.
The following information is a summary of the City of Wichita Chapter 3.40 Alarm Systems Ordinance and is not intended to cover everything included within the ordinance. Whenever summarization creates a conflict, the official ordinance governs. A copy of the entire ordinance is available for your review at the City Clerk’s office or directly from the Internet at www.wichitapolice.com.
2. Revocation of license. An alarm business license may be revoked if it has been determined that the business has:
a. Failed to pay the annual license fee.
b. Violated any provision of the City’s Alarm Systems Ordinance.
c. Become ineligible for a license because of any of the provisions of the City’s Alarm Systems Ordinance.
d. Given a false statement as to a material fact submitted to the City Treasurer during the application process.
3. Required Operational Practices. When an alarm business leases or installs an alarm system:
a. Installation must comply with the City’s Alarm Systems Ordinance.
b. Obtain the proper permit for those jobs requiring permits and inspections.
c. The alarm business shall offer service for that alarm system on a twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week basis and have a person located within Sedgwick County responsible for repair and maintenance of the alarm system. This information shall be provided in writing at the time of the lease or installation.
d. The alarm user shall be provided written instructions on how to operate the system and any user maintenance, which may be required. The written instruction will be in clear, concise language the alarm user can read and understand.
e. When an alarm user elects to have city emergency personnel as the first response after an alarm activation, it shall be the responsibility of the alarm business to:
1) Provide the alarm user, at the time of the lease or installation of the alarm system, a written copy of the City of Wichita’s false alarm penalties and procedures.
2) Register, with the Alarm Administrator, each alarm system monitored by the business, prior to commencement of monitoring. Registration fee is twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per alarm user. Such registration is shall be effective for a period of twelve months from the date of issuance.
3) Renewal on the alarm registration will be mailed directly to the Alarm User from the City on the anniversary date of issuance.
4) Notify the Alarm Administrator of termination of monitoring and changes in ownership of property.
5) Re-register alarm users every time they change monitoring companies. Alarm user registrations are not transferable.
6) Attempt to contact alarm user by telephone or other electronic means, prior to contacting the communication center, to verify that the alarm is valid.
7) Provide the alarm user’s permit number, name, and address when contacting the communications center.
8) At the time of licensing or renewal of a license issued pursuant to this chapter, the alarm business shall submit to the Alarm Administrator, or a designated representative, a current and complete customer list in a format acceptable to the Alarm Administrator. Such information shall remain confidential. Appeals Process for Alarm Users. Should a disagreement arise over whether any particular response fee or administrative penalty should be assessed, the facts surrounding the circumstances of the alarm activation shall within thirty (30) days of the date of the first invoice for the alarm, be presented in writing by the Alarm User or alarm business along with a ten dollar ($10.00) administrative fee to the Alarm Administrator. When determining whether or not to appeal, the alarm user should review the items listed in number (3a) through (3e) above and the City Ordinance definition of a False Alarm listed below. When an appeal is received, the appeal reasons are compared to those items to determine whether or not the response fee should be charged. In the event of determination that no response fee should be assessed, the ten dollar ($10.00) administrative fee shall be refunded. Appeals should be sent to the Alarm Administrator, City of Wichita Police Department, 455 N. Main - 4th Floor, Wichita KS 67202-1600. Please see the complete false alarm ordinance for procedures and consideration given to appeals.
NOTE: Only those alarm users that request city emergency personnel as the first response after an alarm activation are required to be registered. If an alarm user elects private security personnel as the first response, pre-registration is not necessary. If private security personnel respond to an alarm and determine the alarm is a valid alarm that requires city emergency personnel to respond, the private security personnel may contact the communications center to request assistance at no charge to the alarm user.
Alarm Company Records Information
You will have the ability to view your alarm company client list on-line. Attached is an alarm company records information form for your company to complete and return to the Wichita False Alarm Reduction Program. You may return these forms to us via email or fax. You may email them to Wichitaks@publicsafetycorp.com or may fax them to (301) 638-9319.
With your Alarm Company Records Information Form please submit a written request for website access. Once we receive your Alarm Company Records Information Form, we will mail a letter (within three weeks) with instructions for web access which will provide you with a username and password to access the alarm company website. The website lists your company’s registrants with the Wichita False Alarm Reduction Program.
Alarm Company Records Information Form
To apply for an alarm business license or renew an existing alarm business license please review the information posted to the City License web site here /Business/Licenses/A.htm.
City Hall 455 N. Main Wichita, Kansas 67202
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Police Department