O’Hara officials are considering an ordinance mandating commercial, industrial and multifamily facilities provide quick emergency access for first responders to their facilities.
A Knox Box is a small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys that fire departments could use to gain access so they wouldn’t have to force their way in when responding to alarms or emergencies.
The proposed ordinance is posted on the township’s website and could be approved by council on April 14.
There currently are boxes at about 70 buildings in O’Hara, including the township office.
Township Manager Julie Jakubec said the idea for the ordinance came up months ago through discussions with the fire committee and members of Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Company, Parkview Volunteer Fire Department and Blawnox Volunteer Fire Company, which responds to township calls as part of mutual aid.
She said firefighters responding to alarms and emergency calls, particularly in RIDC Park, have had to wait for long stretches of time for someone to come with a key to a company.
“It’s very important that emergency personnel have access to buildings. This solves it,” Jakubec said April 1.
Pleasant Valley Fire Chief Ed Michalowski echoed those comments.
“This is especially true in the evenings when buildings are not normally staffed,” he said April 1.
“Faster access allows responders to immediately unlock the box and enter the building using stored keys which prevents the need to wait for owners, landlords or key holders. They can house keys and access cards/fobs.”
The chief said using Knox Boxes also would mitigate the need for firefighters to break down doors, windows or gates for access, saving lots of money on potential repair costs.
Jakubec said there have been ongoing and robust discussions between council and first responders the past few months about the ordinance.
“Something like this, you want to make sure you get it right,” she said.
Property owners and developers would have about a year to install the boxes should the ordinance be approved.
The cost for the boxes would be at the property owner’s expense. The one at the township office cost about $500.
Some facilities with 24-hour security or rental storage facilities where there is a single lock on a separate unit that a renter supplied may not need a Knox Box.
Councilman Richard Hughes said the township has taken those things into account.
“Installing a Knox Box does involve a nominal cost to owners/developers, and we are mindful of that,” he said March 31.
“There may also be cases where an owner has concerns about specific access and security of sensitive information. As a result, we have allowed for the creation of a waiver process for owners who feel they have a legitimate reason not to install a Knox Box, and accept the responsibility for not having one.”
Responsibility would be damage from a forced entry in an emergency. Waivers are valid for three years and must be renewed in writing by the end of January, according to township documents.
Hughes said other municipalities have passed similar ordinances, and township’s proposed action has support from the local first responders.
“Enacting this ordinance puts in place a simple solution to save lives, property and resources,” Hughes said.
“Since we work hard to ensure the best services for our community, and we in particular we provide significant taxpayer support for our emergency services, this makes perfect sense to me.”