The Kingston Fire Department is encouraging owners of commercial properties throughout the community to install secure emergency key boxes to help firefighters and first responders gain rapid access to buildings during emergencies. The program is designedtoprovideemergency personnel with immediate access to locked commercial buildings without the need to force entry, potentially saving valuable time during fires, medical emergencies, gas leaks, alarm activations or other incidents where every second matters.
According to the Kingston Fire Marshal's Office, all newly constructed commercial buildings are now required to install an approved emergency key box aspartofthedepartment'sfire safetyrequirements.Existing commercial businesses are not required to participate but are strongly encouraged to voluntarily install one to improve emergency response and help protect both lives and property.
Fire officials said emergency key boxes contain building keys, gate keys, access cards or other essential items needed by firefighters. The boxes are securely mounted outside the building and can only be opened by authorized emergency personnel using specialized departmentissued access devices.
Without a secure emergency access system, firefighters may be forced to break doors, cut locks or damage windows to reach occupants or locate the source of a fire or alarm. Those actions, while sometimes necessary, can result in costly repairs that may far exceed the expense of installing a key box.
The Kingston Fire Department noted that emergency access systems also benefit business owners after hours by allowing responders to investigate alarm activations, water leaks, electrical issues or smokeinvestigationswithout causingunnecessarydamage to the building. Fire Marshal officials emphasized that the program is another step toward improving public safety while reducing property damage during emergency responses.
As Kingston continues to grow, ensuring firefighters have quick and secure access to commercial properties helps protect employees, customers and neighboring businesses. Business owners withquestionsaboutapproved emergency key boxes or the department's installation requirementsareencouraged to contact the Kingston Fire Marshal's Office for additional information and guidance.
Fire officials hope more existing businesses will voluntarily participate in the program, making the community safer and improving emergency response throughout Kingston.