Email icon Back to Search

News release

A combination of public education, by-law amendments and improved practices led to a dramatic decline of false alarm calls to Milton Fire and Rescue Services in 2022.

This is significant progress because false alarm calls tie up valuable emergency response resources, while impacting the Town’s ability to plan for the future.

The data was included in the Town of Milton’s annual performance report for 2022 that went to Council on Oct. 23, 2023.

Before 2022, false alarm calls were on the rise. False alarms made up 30 per cent of all calls for service in 2020 and 42 per cent in 2021. In 2022, false alarms fell to just 9 per cent.

Milton Fire and Rescue Services efforts in this area included:

  • Enhanced public education program about the problem of false alarm calls.
  • By-law amendments to charge for false alarms after the second false alarm in the same calendar year.
  • Enhanced education for officers on fire incident reporting, to improve data quality.
  • Enhanced auditing of fire incident reporting data.

Although false alarm calls declined as a share of all calls for service, overall, Milton Fire and Rescue Services received about 400 more total calls for service in 2022 than in 2021. The service received 2,377 total calls for service in 2022.

In 2022, the Town began reporting annually on a series of Council-endorsed indicators of municipal service delivery performance. This data-informed approach helps staff and Council remain focused on advancing the Town’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

Quotes

"It is important to monitor and report on our progress so that we stay focused on achieving our long-term vision. It’s encouraging to know that Milton Fire and Rescue Services rises to the challenge and keeps Milton safe for residents."

- Andrew Siltala
Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Milton

– 30 –

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Rob Faulkner
Senior Advisor, Public Relations
905-699-1675
Email Communications Staff