On Wednesday evening, August 27^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company coordinated its monthly firefighter training with automatic fire alarm responses which included lecture sessions and tutorials via the Delaware State Fire School Instruction with Duane Fox.

To ensure a fire company is properly trained for automatic alarm responses, topics included an understanding of alarm systems, specific procedures for response, methods for managing false alarms, and practical, hands-on drills as well as documentation requirements in order to pursue financial assessments or remediation practices.

Standard procedures for response included review of:

• Dispatch and size-up: Reviewing what information is available from dispatch (e.g., type of alarm, location, time), conducting an initial scene size-up, and following proper apparatus placement protocols.

• Alarm control panel operations: Training on locating, operating, and interpreting signals from the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP). This includes understanding different types of signals, such as alarm, trouble, and supervisory alerts.

• Entry and access: Learning procedures for gaining access to a building, including the use of Knox-Box systems and/or forcible entry protocols, if necessary.

• Investigating the alarm: Developing systematic search and investigation procedures to determine the cause of an alarm, as well as where it was initiated.

• Working with building occupants: How to interact with occupants and building representatives to gather critical information and ensure their safety.

• Resetting the system: Knowing the proper steps for silencing and resetting an alarm panel, including when it is appropriate to do so and when it should be handled by building staff.

Types of alarm systems included:

• System components: Understanding the various devices that make up an alarm system, such as smoke and heat detectors, pull stations, and waterflow sensors.

• System configurations: Differentiating between standard automatic fire alarm systems, monitoring stations, and emergency voice and alarm communication systems.

• Interface with sprinkler systems: Learning how to operate in buildings that integrate alarm systems with fire suppression systems, including different sprinkler types (e.g., wet-pipe, dry-pipe).

False alarm reduction included:

• Common causes: Reviewing the most frequent causes of false alarms, such as accidental activation, steam from showers, construction dust, or system malfunctions.

• Department policies: Training on local policies and ordinances related to false alarms and the role firefighters play in documenting and reporting these incidents.

Fire prevention and public education: Discussing how companies can educate business owners and community members on proper alarm use and maintenance to reduce the number of false alarms.

Ironically, during this training exercise, Indian River was alerted for an automatic alarm at a nearby rehabilitation center / nursing home because a resident activated an actual pull station alarm.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company thanks and acknowledges teh Delaware State Fire School for its innovative curriculum development.