Norwood Fire Department Takes Action to Combat Rising Surge of False Fire Alarms-August 18, 1970

The Norwood Fire Department is taking aggressive steps to combat a troubling spike in false fire alarms that has the town averaging more than one fraudulent call per day, according to Deputy Fire Chief Leo Coughlin.

The department reported answering 113 false alarms since the beginning of the year, compared to 80 received by the same time during the previous year. Deputy Chief Coughlin noted that false alarms had spiked particularly since July 1, stating that the problem is steadily worsening.

Illustrating the severe operational strain placed on municipal resources, Coughlin explained that every box alarm requires the dispatch of a ladder truck and two pumpers—representing $150,000 worth of equipment—alongside 12 firefighters. This heavy response leaves only one pumper and two men stationed at the firehouse to cover genuine emergencies elsewhere in town. “Two or three alarms will come in at one time,” Coughlin explained, noting how calls frequently shift across town simultaneously. “We have found that the first two or three minutes of a fire are the most important to bringing it under control.”

Beyond the financial drain—estimated at more than $350 per response in taxpayer dollars—Coughlin expressed grave concern over the potential loss of homes, lives, and equipment valued between $40,000 and $75,000 per truck, as well as the risk of accidents injuring firefighters and children playing in the streets. Citing statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, Coughlin emphasized that numerous firefighters are injured and equipment damaged nationwide responding to false calls. While more than 30 of the local alarms followed a late-night or early-morning time pattern, and investigators suspect multiple individuals may be responsible, catching culprits remains difficult since offenders must be witnessed in the act. Police Chief Murphy is cooperating 100 percent in efforts to apprehend those setting the alarms, and while police have stepped up surveillance, officers cannot constantly watch every street box. Coughlin urged townspeople to immediately notify the fire department if they spot anyone pulling an alarm box, concluding, “Whoever is doing it is very thoughtless. They don’t realize what the false alarms cost.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger