MERRILLVILLE | The number of false alarms coming through the Ross Township Fire Department has some town officials considering raising the fines.

The fire service reported during budget hearings in July that 25 percent to 40 percent of calls received are false alarms, but Ross Township Fire Chief Perry Herzog said the number could be less than that.

He said false alarms have increased slightly over the years, with most coming from commercial establishments with faulty systems, but some also coming from homes with alarm systems installed.

The ordinance has a $50 fee for fifth and subsequent false alarms in a 90-day period, and Herzog said stiffer penalties could help save in fuel and maintenance costs.

Town Councilman Joseph Shudick agrees.

"The town also needs to pursue violators more aggressively," Shudick said.

He said other problems can arise with false alarms since the Fire Department is staffed by volunteers.

Shudick said volunteers aren't always available, especially during the day, and the department is sometimes forced to dispatch units from several stations to a scene to make sure the call is sufficiently covered.

Sending more vehicles to a scene could result in additional costs.

Town Councilman Richard Hardaway said the Town Council hasn't discussed increasing the fines yet, but the issue could be brought up during the next council workshop Aug. 22.

The Dyer Fire Department faced a similar problem with false alarms in previous years until the town increased fines in 2006, Chief Thad Stutler said.

"It's nothing like it used to be," Stutler said.

Homeowners in Dyer now are charged $50 for each false alarm after the first three. After nine, they are charged $100, and fines can reach $200 after that.

Commercial establishments pay $100 after the first three false alarms, and $250 after five false alarms. Businesses pay $500 after 12 incidents.