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Jefferson County supervisors discuss Knox Box, master key after false fire alarm
Summary
After a Sunday false alarm that triggered fire and EMS response, the board discussed rekeying office doors and placing a master key in a Knox Box for emergency access; county staff will seek estimates for a Knox Box and carded access and return the item to the agenda.
The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors discussed building access and emergency response after a false fire alarm over the weekend revealed a panel/elevator fault and complicated firefighter access.
Speaker 4 described arriving shortly after the alarm and fire crews and said the system identified an attic smoke detector but that the building uses heat detectors in the attic and the alarm readings produced what he called a 'ghost' elevator/panel problem. "When the panel got reset, now it's showing up as a problem in the elevator," he said, and he told the board he had Midwest Alarm scheduled to run diagnostic checks between now and Wednesday.
To reduce delays for first responders, Speaker 4 proposed rekeying interior access so offices retain individual keys but the county holds a master key in a secure emergency box outside the building. "I can put the master key together with building key and put it in what's referred to as a Knox Box on the outside of the building," Speaker 4 said, noting the fire department and police should have access.
A fire/EMS representative (Speaker 5) supported the idea and explained why panel zone labeling and an external key box help responders pinpoint and reach problem areas without breaking windows. Speaker 5 described the practical benefit of zone maps tied to alarm panels and said installing a Knox Box allows firefighters to retrieve keys and reset or silence panels during a response.
Board members discussed a parallel option—electronic carded access for doors—and asked staff to collect cost and wiring requirements so card readers could be coordinated with door replacements rather than retrofitted later. The board directed staff to place the rekey/Knox Box and access-control estimates on next week’s agenda for formal consideration.
The board did not take a formal vote on procurement at the meeting; Speaker 4 said the alarm company visit will inform next steps and that he will provide Christy (county staff) as a secondary contact for alarm and elevator vendors.
