MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council agreed to increase the fee associated with the Moses Lake Fire Department responding to false fire alarms in commercial buildings.

The motion passed unanimously Tuesday night. It requires a second reading before it becomes a law.

Assistant Fire Chief Brett Bastian explained at least one fire engine and one ambulance will respond to all fire alarms. A second engine is put en route to the location of the fire alarm until the first engine arrives and it is determined that the second is not needed.

There is concern about distracting personnel from true emergencies.

Bastian said the fire department responds to about 140 to 160 false alarms annually.

The ordinance allows for two false alarms per commercial business without penalty during a three month period. The third false alarm will result in a $500 fine.

“It is costly to go out on a false alarm,” explained City Manager Joe Gavinski.

The council wants to encourage commercial business owners with faulty alarms to get them fixed.

When fire alarm companies are working on alarm systems, often the system will engage so the company is required to notify the fire department of their work.

If the company does not inform the fire department of alarm system testing and the alarm engages, it will be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for the second offense, according to the ordinance. Currently each offense is $100.

Councilmember Dick Deane said he agreed with increasing the fine because it is not just about the cost. He explained the fire personnel are put in harm’s way because they are rushing through traffic to what they believe is an emergency.

Councilmember David Curnel moved to approve the ordinance with the increased fees and Councilmember Brent Reese seconded. It passed unanimously.

Councilmember Richard Pearce was absent from the meeting.