Avalon Streamlines Fire-Alarm System

Posted August 31st 2020

The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department and Mayor Martin Pagliughi introduced a streamlined system for audible fire alarms in the town, reducing the use of the alarm nearly 70%.

“The Borough and volunteers have worked together on a new system that will greatly reduce the number of sirens heard, with zero impact on public safety or response time,” Pagliughi said.

Previously, sirens were heard throughout town for all occurrences. The new system will eliminate the use for common occurrences including fire/smoke/carbon monoxide alarms that are called in for investigation, which represent approximately 76% of the annual call volume.

Sirens will, however, be heard for any type of actual fire, landing zone assignment, motor vehicle accident/rescue/extraction or water rescue.

Each member of the fire department is equipped with a mobile phone app and a radio for complete redundancy when a response is required.

In addition to the streamlined system, the Borough also provided a stipend program that allows for more volunteers to be at the firehouse during anticipated busier times, to improve response time even further.

The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department is accepting active volunteers from the community. For more information, visit the department’s Facebook page at facebook.com/AvalonFIRE or email Chief Ed Dean at edean@avalonboro.org.

Photo caption: The streamlined system for audible fire alarms means that the current fire siren will no longer be used during common occurrences.