DECOMISSIONING OF THE MUNICIPAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Originally installed decades ago, the municipal fire alarm box system allowed residents to report fires by pulling a lever on a red street- or building-mounted box, which sent a telegraph signal directly to the fire department. Widely used throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, these systems have largely been replaced by enhanced 911 networks. Each alarm box was connected to a central office through telegraph circuits. When activated, the box transmitted a coded signal identifying its location, enabling dispatchers to alert the appropriate fire companies. Street boxes were publicly accessible, while master boxes—located in schools, factories, and municipal buildings—automatically transmitted alarms from internal fire alarm systems. 

These systems were valued for their speed, reliability, and ability to automatically identify the alarm’s location. However, they lacked voice communication, were susceptible to false alarms, and required extensive maintenance. Today, nearly all emergency calls are received through the 911 system, which provides real-time voice communication, GPS location, and detailed information for responders. Modern central monitoring stations can now transmit building alarm signals that specify the exact location and type of activation (such as smoke, heat, or sprinkler flow), further improving response accuracy and efficiency. While the municipal fire alarm system played a vital role in the pre-telephone era, its use has steadily declined. Acton’s system, installed in 1930 by Earl Hayward, began with a connection from South Acton Square to the Woolen Mill at 53 River Street and eventually expanded to more than 450 boxes.

Beginning this fall, and over the next two to three years, the Town of Acton will decommission its municipal firealarm system due to obsolete technology, increasing maintenance costs, frequent false alarms, vandalism, and redundancy with modern 911 and building alarm systems. The process will start with street boxes, followed by master boxes, allowing property owners time to make necessary adjustments.

For residents, 911 remains the primary method for reporting fire or medical emergencies, and most residents do not need to take any action. Property owners with direct connections to the fire alarm system have been notified and advised on the necessary upgrades