Mount Paran Northside Citizens Association

SECURITY GATES HINDER EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Jan 23, 2001

Many neighborhood residents have gates that secure their residences. These gates provide needed security to the homeowners, however, they also cause a serious problem for the fire department in the event of an emergency. When the fire department responds to a call for a fire or medical emergency, time is of the essence. A delay in gaining entry to a residence by closed gates can greatly effect the outcome of the incident. Since there are hundreds of gates in our neighborhood, providing individual access codes is not feasible.

There is a solution to this problem. It is called a ?“Knox Box?” and it is universally used throughout the city of Atlanta to gain access into buildings and through gates. Basically, it is a locked box mounted outside the gate which would contain a key, or access code for the gates. The box can be unlocked by a universal key used by our fire department.

This is not a requirement, but merely a recommendation that would aid the fire department in the event of an emergency.

For further information, please contact Captain George Coleman, Atlanta Fire Station #27, 4260 Northside Drive, 404-848-1769. Or contact Ms. Knox with the Fire Department (not associated with Knox-Box) at 404-853-7194.

The Knox-Box web site is
www.knoxbox.com.