To help reduce delays in providing emergency assistance, the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services has adopted use of the Knox Rapid Entry System.

Used by fire departments throughout the country, the primary component of the Knox Rapid Entry System is a key box unique to the jurisdiction in which it is located. Only the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services will have access to boxes used in County of Warren and Town of Front Royal.  Use of the system may improve emergency service to building owners and occupants, and can result in savings by eliminating property damage from fire department forced entry.

This Program is VOLUNTARY and comes highly recommended by Fire and Rescue Chief Richard E. Mabie, Chief Mabie stated that “reducing the amount of property damage during an emergency is one of the objectives of all emergency responders”, “Having a Knox Box Rapid Entry System can not only reduce the amount of damage but also save valuable time to access the emergency and help save a life”.

Examples of structures or areas in which a key switch or key box is required include gates to large multifamily residential complexes with access roadways; locked outside entrances to stairways with enclosed standpipes; hazardous materials occupancies; building alarm system equipment locations; and occupancies where a large number of alarms occur, either for medical aid or fire, and entry is delayed.

How Does it Work?

A building owner installs or arranges for installation of a Knox key box on the exterior of the building at the main entrance point. The box will be equipped with a lock which can be opened only with a key that is issued solely to the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. Emergency vehicles, such as medical aid units and fire trucks, are equipped with one key. At the time the Knox box is installed, the building owner arranges for the Fire Department to visit their facility, inspect the access keys that will be placed inside the Knox box, and then lock the access keys inside the Knox box using the special security key.

The building owner is not able to obtain a key to open the Knox box. If keys must be added or removed, arrangements must be made for the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services to visit the facility to open the box, inspect the change of keys, and then lock the box. When emergency access is required, the arriving Fire Department member in charge removes the key from their Fire Department vehicle and opens the Knox box to remove the access keys.

After use, the Fire Department member places the access keys in the key box, and returns the special Knox box key inside the emergency vehicle.

Only the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services will have access to this key and will be able to re-secure your property.

This is a Voluntary Program and the Fire and Rescue Department will be working with property owners/managers to bring this program to life and help save precious time during an emergency.

Participating in the Knox System is simple:

Step 1
Select the appropriate Knox device in consultation with the Warren County Department of Fire and Rescue Services  and obtain an order form with an approval signature from the Fire and Rescue Department.

Step 2
Complete the Authorization/Order Form and pay particular attention to sections:
Order By, Ship To and Installation Address.

Step 3
Total the cost for the items ordered and attach a check made payable to the Knox Company.  Mail the completed form and check to: Knox Company, 1601 W
Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, AZ 85027.

Step 4
Install the KNOX quick access switch (for gated communities) adjacent to the key pad or card reader facing the vehicle access drive or KNOX key box near the main entrance to the building and request an inspection from the Warren County Fire and Rescue Department by calling our Fire Administration Office at (540)636-3830.

Step 5
A Warren County Fire and Rescue Department representative will conduct a Knox Box  inspection and will put the KNOX switch or KNOX box in service.

Prices
Visit www.knoxbox.com for more information and a full list of product and pricing, or call our Fire Administration Office of more details.