A Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency truck on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentAfter 16,700 false alarms since 2023, the Halifax Regional Municipality is introducing a new fee to make residents take accountability for faulty calls. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe new system, which comes into effect Sept. 1, will see residents pay a flat $300 fee per false alarm for commercial properties and multi-unit residential buildings and a $50 fee per alarm for residential properties with fewer than three units. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentSarah Brannen, a spokesperson for HRM, said the police and firefighters have been responding to thousands of false alarms for years. Article content“The fees are intended to increase accountability for alarm system owners and help recover some of the costs incurred when Halifax Regional Police and Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency respond to unnecessary alarm activations,” she said in an emailed statement. Article content“Emergency services will continue to respond to alarms as appropriate. The fees do not change emergency response practices.” Article contentBrannen said HRM responded to 5,900 false alarms in 2023, 5,600 in 2024 and 5,200 in 2025. Article contentUnder the previous structure, residents’ first false alarm each year was free, with fees increasing from $200 to $300 for the second and third occurrences. Every additional false alarm was $500 after that. Article contentBrannen said property owners can reduce the risk of false alarms by maintaining equipment, replacing faulty devices, ensuring companies have accurate information and training occupants on proper alarm use. Article contentTesting systems in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, she said, is another way to reduce the risk of a false alarm. Article content
Halifax fire department introduces new false alarm fee after thousands of faulty calls
