The False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU) was created on behalf of and to administer the alarm ordinances for the governments of Alachua County and the City of Gainesville. The main function of FARU is to reduce the number of false alarms to which law enforcement and fire-rescue respond each year. Since its inception, FARU, in partnership with alarm companies and alarm site operators, has reduced the false alarm rate in our community by 75 percent! This reduction means more first responders are available when a
FARU licenses alarm companies, registers alarm users, sends notification of false alarms, bills for false alarm occurrences, ensures that appropriate inspections and upgrades of alarm systems occur, and handles informal appeals regarding ordinance-based user fees..
An alarm is considered false if the responder discovers no evidence of criminal or attempted criminal activity , and/or no fire or life safety issue .