FARA False Alarm Prevention For Banks 1

FARA False Alarm Prevention For Banks 1

Introduction What is a false alarm? Why are false alarms a problem? How do alarm systems work? What are some causes of false alarms? What can you do to prevent false alarms? FARA Tips for Banks 2

What is a False Alarm? False Burglar Alarm - A notification of an alarm to law enforcement when the responding authority finds no evidence of criminal offense or attempted criminal offense False Fire Alarm - A notification of a fire signal, resulting from a cause other than an actual fire FARA Tips for Banks 3

Effects of False Alarms Takes officers and fire fighters away from real emergencies Delay response when you really need it Wastes public resources FARA Tips for Banks 4

Effects of False Alarms Endangers responding authorities and the whole community FARA Tips for Banks 5

Another False Alarm Desensitizes to actual crime/fire Leads to ignoring alarms going off FARA Tips for Banks 6

Effects Continued May make you reluctant to arm your system, exposing your bank to undetected theft or holdup FARA Tips for Banks 7

Effects Continued Cost time & money False alarm fines Lost time Service charges FARA Tips for Banks 8

The Alarm Process Siren Sounds- But Silent On Holdup Employee Trips Control Panel Alarm Sent to Alarm Company Central Station Intruder Trips Control Panel Police Dispatched Fire Dispatched Fire Trips Control Panel FARA Tips for Banks Alarm Company Calls to Verify Then Calls Public Safety 9

Did You Know? Banks can generate more false alarms than the average commercial establishment FARA Tips for Banks 10

Common Causes of False Alarms Lack of proper training for people given access to your bank, such as cleaning people, repairmen, delivery personal, etc FARA Tips for Banks 11

More Common Causes Improperly trained new staff FARA Tips for Banks 12

More Common Causes Open, unlocked or loose fitting doors and windows Weak batteries FARA Tips for Banks 13

Another. Drafts from heating/air conditioning systems and signs moving plants, balloons, etc. FARA Tips for Banks 14

And a Few More. Insects, dust or dirt on motion or smoke sensors FARA Tips for Banks 15

Last but not Least. Cooking fumes will trip smoke detectors FARA Tips for Banks 16

False Alarm Prevention Tips for Banks FARA Tips for Banks 17

Before You Activate Check with your local jurisdiction for registration requirements FARA Tips for Banks 18

Before You Activate Understand how the alarm system works; what it does and does not do Ask your alarm company for written instructions, a DVD and a demonstration FARA Tips for Banks 19

Before Turning on your Alarm System when leaving Make sure all alarmed doors and windows are locked Keep balloons, fans, heaters, plants, curtains, decorations from motion sensor areas FARA Tips for Banks 20

Identify the Cause Make sure your alarm system identifies the device that caused the alarm activation FARA Tips for Banks 21

Holdup or Panic Switches Use switched that need simultaneous two-button activation Train all personnel on when the button should and should not be used Do not use in areas where items will be stored around or on top of the device FARA Tips for Banks 22

Money Clip Switches Train all personnel on when the money clip should and should not be used Periodically check and replace wiring between money clip and counter or wall Wire clips so that bills need to be removed from more than one clip to generate an alarm FARA Tips for Banks 23

Consult on Procedure Consult with your local law enforcement agency on proper procedures to follow during a hold-up FARA Tips for Banks 24

ATM Tips Make it easy for ATM and armored car providers to cancel accidental activations Have your central station contact the ATM company’s Replace “Deadman’s Keyswitches” and “Blind Keyswitches” with proper central station opening/closing procedures FARA Tips for Banks 25

Training is Important! Teach ALL users how to operate your system, including: Arming codes Passwords Phone numbers Cancellation procedures FARA Tips for Banks 26

Train Early & Often Train all new employees Include in monthly meetings Follow-up after false alarms Be proactive - cover common causes before they occur FARA Tips for Banks 27

Notify your alarm company Before you test your system If your system is not working properly If you plan to remodel or install new wiring of any kind (telephone, DSL, VoIP, etc.) FARA Tips for Banks 28

Update Your Alarm Company When you get new employees who will open or close When phone numbers change Before you do remodeling FARA Tips for Banks 29

Tell Your Alarm Company Do Not dispatch public safety on Power outages Weather related signals Low battery signals Temperature sensors. FARA Tips for Banks 30

Request ECV! Tell your monitoring company to use Enhanced Call Verification (ECV) ECV requires making two calls to a responsible party prior to requesting a dispatch FARA Tips for Banks 31

Cancel False Alarms Follow your alarm companies instructions to cancel all false alarms FARA Tips for Banks 32

Ask For Help! Ask your alarm company for help To train new users Find the cause for each false alarm Plan for a new addition or remodel FARA Tips for Banks 33

Maintain Your Alarm Keep your alarm system in proper operating condition Upgrade old systems FARA Tips for Banks 34

Why? Public safety resources are limited and should never be wasted Thousands of hours are spent investigating alarm reports that turn out to be “false alarms” FARA Tips for Banks 35

Remember FARA Tips for Banks 36

False Alarm Reduction Association 10024 Vanderbilt Circle #4 Rockville MD 20850 301- 519-9237 Brad Shipp, Executive Director [email protected] www.faraonline.org FARA Tips for Banks 37