The lesson learned from prior initiatives to control false alarms costs is that three user groups, each with its own motivations and concerns, must be engaged to accomplish the goals intended by local alarm ordinances – public safety administrators, alarm owners, and public safety officers.  FAMS™ was designed to connect to those users with comprehensive functionality that simplifies their participation.  The system also has robust management tools for our internal use as administrators of the system and guardians of the fines collected, and all system processes are fully transparent to enable effective oversight by the public safety agency and local government.

Public Safety Administrators
Because FAMS™ is fully configurable, it provides, essentially, a customized solution specifically tailored to each locality’s unique alarm ordinance and enforcement policies with the flexibility to evolve if those policies change.  The system integrates seamlessly to existing Computer-aided Dispatch (CAD) systems.

FAMS™ provides administrators with powerful reporting functionality and complete access to important business and citizen data.  Information analysis is presented in management dashboards for instant understanding at-a-glance and shared through print or e-mail.  The solution maintains, tracks, and displays:

• The latest false alarm data
• History of false alarms by alarm owner
• Alarm registrations – new and existing owners
• Every false alarm charge as defined by the city’s alarm ordinance
• All incidents and their associated charges by billing period
• History of issuance, renewal, suspension, and reinstatement of alarm permits

Alarm Owners
The FAMS™ user interface emphasizes simplicity and intuitive design to make it easy for anyone to learn and use.  The clean interface will resonate with patrons accustomed to using web-based tools.  The system educates alarm owners on the false alarm reduction program and the proper alarm use of alarms.  The system also identifies and directs additional training resources for owners responsible for false alarm calls.

Extremely efficient call administration and prompt support personnel ensure that alarm owners receive timely, effective responses to their inquiries.  Similarly, regular and persistent follow-up by our team helps alarm owners understand and comply with the city’s alarm ordinance.  Owner contact is initiated when:

• A resident or business has not paid their fees by the due date
• An alarm owner is close to his/her allowed false alarm limit and will soon be subject to fines for additional violations
• A resident or business is operating an alarm with an expired permit 

Public Safety Officers
FAMS™ empowers officers with the tools and functionality required to enforce the city’s alarm ordinance.  The system maintains an alarm owner master file that includes:

• Assigned code number
• Name, address, and telephone number of the alarm owner
• If a business, the manager's name and telephone number

When responding to an alarm, officers have real time access to all information about the owner, business manager, and call history.  If it is a false alarm, the officer can determine at the scene whether the alarm owner should receive a citation or warning.  Because of high employee turnover at many businesses, the FAMS™ solution provides training materials for the alarm owner that officers distribute along with the warning to minimize future violations.