What's New?

The Lemont Fire Protection District (LFPD) has implemented a wireless fire alarm monitoring system for the Fire District. This new system replaces the outdated monitoring equipment that was installed and maintained by ADT and other private alarm monitoring companies with new state of the art monitoring equipment that has been installed and is maintained by LFPD and the Crosspoints Company.  A major benefit of the new equipment is that it enables alarm signals to be sent via radio instead of phone lines. This feature eliminates the problems caused by outdated phone company equipment. Along with the change in monitoring systems, the District has enacted an ordinance mandating all required fire alarm systems to be monitored by the District’s 911 Emergency Communications Center.

These changes have lead to some confusion among alarm users. The Lemont Fire Prevention Bureau has developed a list of frequently asked questions in order to clear up some of this confusion.

Ø       Why did the Fire District decide to update the monitoring equipment?

Ø       The current equipment has been in service for well over thirty years and there was considerable doubt about how much longer it would last. This system was also installed before computers were in widespread use, and now there are many technology enhancements, which expedite the alarm monitoring process to speed the dispatching of emergency equipment in the event of an emergency.

Ø       Why did the Fire District choose to use radios instead of phone lines?

Ø       The phone lines that carried signals between the alarm users and the Fire District were dedicated phone lines that transmitted voltages and not voice or data. This is very old technology that is not well supported by modern phone companies. Very few phone company technicians have the training to work on these lines. These lines were also very susceptible to induced voltages—such as during a thunderstorm—and moisture problems. Many alarm users spent weeks trying to resolve phone issues with their systems.

Ø       What is the Lemont 911 Emergency Communications Center?

Ø       Our Dispatch Center is the 911 emergency telephone service provider for the Fire District. It provides fire and ambulance dispatching for the Lemont Fire Protection District.  It is located in our Fire Station One located at 15900 New Avenue in Lemont. When you call 911 for a fire or ambulance emergency, you will be speaking with a dispatcher right here in Lemont.

Ø       My fire or police alarm system was connected to the 911 Center. What do I need to do?

Ø       You should have received a contract from the Fire District for monitoring services. Simply fill out the contract and return it to us. If you have not received any information, please contact the Lemont Fire Prevention Bureau at 630-257-0191.

Ø       Why am I paying a monitoring fee if the 911 dispatchers are actually monitoring the alarm?

Ø       The Fire District supplies and maintains the equipment that enables the personnel at the 911 center to monitor your alarms. Part of the monitoring fee is to compensate for the use of the equipment. Part of the monitoring fee is to cover the Dispatcher’s salaries.

Ø       If I pay a fee to the Fire District, can I stop paying fees to my current alarm company?

Ø       Not entirely. You are required to maintain your alarm systems and have a service contract with a licensed fire alarm contractor. Fire alarm systems must be regularly inspected, tested and maintained. Your current alarm company provides these services.  However, if part of the fee you paid your alarm company included monitoring, you may want to speak with them about adjusting your bill.

Ø       I have a police or burglar alarm. Do I need to install a radio?

Ø       No. We encourage police and burglar alarm subscribers to convert to radio, but the City is not requiring you to do so at this time. We feel that the situation with the phone lines is only going to deteriorate.

Ø       Can I purchase a radio from another vendor?

Ø       No. The radios located throughout the Fire District operate as a network. Each radio relies on the radios around it to transmit signals. As radios are added or removed from the network, the system must be rebalanced to provide optimal performance. Each radio must be carefully monitored and sometimes adjusted to keep the network running efficiently. A system runs most effectively when only one vendor oversees it.

Ø       Do other communities use these radios?

Ø       Yes. The largest network is in Naperville, and it has operated smoothly since 2001. Other communities include Algonquin, Countryside, Northbrook, Hoffman Estates, Lemont, Highland Park, Gurnee, Round Lake, McHenry, Woodridge, and Elmhurst.

Ø       Have there been any problems with the radios?

Ø       Yes, in some cases. A North Shore community in particular had problems with their network. The problem, to a large extent, was caused because the municipality allowed multiple vendors to install and maintain the radios that caused the network to operate inefficiently leading to slowdowns in alarm signal transmissions.

Ø       I have a fire alarm system that is currently monitored by a private company. Do I have to connect to the Fire District?

Ø       Yes. During routine testing of fire alarms, the Fire Prevention Bureau has noticed a considerable lag in the time between when an alarm is activated, and the private companies call the 911 Center. Sometimes this lag has been more than 5 minutes. The Fire Prevention Bureau has had several circumstances where alarms monitored by private companies have been out of service for some time. In order to reduce response times and maintain better oversight of fire alarms, the fire department adopted an ordinance requiring fire alarms that are required by the fire prevention code be directly connected to the 911 Center.

Ø       I have a fire alarm system in my home. Do I have to connect to the Fire District?

Ø       No. Only fire alarms that are required by the fire code, such as in stores, schools, apartments, offices and places of assembly are required to be directly connected to the Fire District.

Ø       I have a burglar alarm system in my office. Am I required to connect to the Fire District?

Ø       No. Only fire alarm systems are affected by this ordinance.

Ø       Our company policy requires our fire alarm be monitored by a private alarm company, or our company has a proprietary fire alarm monitoring system. Are we required to connect to the Fire District?

Ø       Yes. You may keep your current alarm company if you wish, but you must also connect to the Fire District.

Ø       What is the charge for monitoring?

Ø       The monthly fee for radio monitoring is $60.00.  This fee includes the radio transmission and equipment maintenance fee along with the 911 Center alarm monitoring fee.

Ø       How often will these rates be changed?

Ø       The current contract fees will be reviewed approximately every five years.