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REGULAR MEETING <br />MAY 27, 2003 <br />so that they are more responsible about the equipment that they are providing. <br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and <br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. <br />Assistant Fire Chief Howard Buchanan, South Bend Fire Department, 701 West Sample Street, <br />South Bend, Indiana,_ stated that this bill will eliminate the problem of firefighters standing at the <br />scene for hours waiting for a key holder to show up. This bill requires that someone respond in <br />fifteen (15) minutes. Chief Buchanan stated that he is in favor of this bill and the most important <br />part of this bill is that the City is trying to repair the situation that currently exists. He noted that if <br />they respond to the same location perhaps as many as five (5) times in a day because a system <br />malfunctioned, now something will be done to correct that problem. <br />Mr. Edwin Goddard, 534 Preston Drive, South Bend, Indiana, asked what there is in the ordinance <br />that requires the agent to educate the users. He noted that it seems to him that the bill is a little <br />short on what the agent should actually have instructed the user of the alarm system. <br />There was no one else present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to <br />this bill. <br />In rebuttal, Ms. Dempsey stated that there are a lot of senior citizens who have alarm systems who <br />forget their codes and how to work their alarms. The alarm companies indicated that they would be <br />more than willing to go out and reeducate those users on how their systems work and make <br />additional changes that need to be done at that time. <br />Lieutenant Powers noted that as a result of discussions with agents of alarm companies, language <br />was kept in the bill allowing a total of three (3) false alarms in a calendar year without any type of <br />penalty so that the City can work out some of the logistics with the alarm companies which have <br />to set the alarm. This language allows room for reeducation and gives the alarm company the ability <br />to be accountable for working with their users as far as reeducation and making them familiar with <br />the alarm systems. The alarm companies have agreed to reassess the alarm system to determine <br />whether there is a malfunction or a worn part or whatever is needed to bring it back up to a quality <br />in which they would not have further false alarms as well as to reeducate the user if needed. <br />Councilmember Kelly made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning the <br />third substitute version of this bill. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion. <br />Councilmember Kirsits announced that he is employed by the South Bend Fire Department and <br />based on the advice of Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand there is not a conflict of interest <br />and he will be voting on this bill. <br />Councilmember King commended Lieutenant Powers, Ms. Dempsey, Council Attorney Kathleen <br />Cekanski- Farrand and other members of the Community Oriented Policing Leadership Council who <br />put a great deal of effort in putting this bill together. He noted that there were many meetings with <br />residents, alarm company representatives and it is commendable that these individuals have stuck <br />to this project for five (5) years to bring an ordinance forward as an example of what community <br />oriented policing can do. He further noted that the key principal of community oriented policing is ■ <br />