Technology

WV County Buildings Could Have 'Knox Boxes' for FFs

March 13, 2019

A proposed Mineral County ordinance would require commercial buildings to include a mechanism that would give firefighters emergency access.

By Elaine Blaisdell

Source Cumberland Times News, Md.

KEYSER, W.Va. — Mineral County officials are moving forward with an ordinance that would require new commercial construction be outfitted with a system that would allow firefighters to gain access in case of an emergency.

County Coordinator Drew Brubaker said Tuesday he is reviewing information in the proposed Knox Box ordinance, which is backed by the county planning commission.

A Knox Box is a small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys for fire departments, emergency medical services and sometimes police to retrieve in emergency situations.

In a somewhat related matter, county officials will meet Friday with representatives of a company that specializes in monitoring false security alarms.

Commissioners are considering keeping record of false alarms at residential and commercial properties that require response by police, and may eventually seek reimbursement for those responses.

Commissioners said the problem mainly lies with commercial properties and penalties would apply to repeat offenders.

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