Knox-Box rapid entry system is 'key' for fire department

  • Published
  • By Hanscom Fire Department
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  In the event of an emergency, having immediate access to the emergency location is critical for the Hanscom Fire Department to provide prompt response and service. The "key" to this success would be to have keys, security cards, or codes to allow access, especially during a response when the facility is not occupied or after normal business hours.

To assist in this process, each facility has a Knox-Box Rapid Entry System at the facility to allow a master key, codes or access cards to be safely secured for the fire department to access the facility in the event of an emergency.

With one master key, the fire department can gain access to any building on base that would result in greater response time and non-destructive access in the event of an emergency.

"Over the past several months, while performing inspections on facilities, we've seen keys and access cards that are outdated in the box," said Bob Kenyon, Hanscom Fire Department Fire Inspector. "It's important that once a facility makes a change to their front door lock or master key, they contact the fire department to have the new key placed in the Knox-Box."

The system provides a secure and documented log as to the date and time personnel entered the facility.

"The first arriving crew will ask the fire dispatcher to send the Knox-Box key, which is a radio signal to the truck, allowing a firefighter to open the Sentralok box secured in their vehicle," Kenyon said. "The radio signal is documented into the daily fire log with both time and fire crew who gained access to that particular facility. After completing their investigation of the building, the key is then rescued in the vehicle's Knox-Box and logged back in as secure."

For more information on your facilities Knox-Box, or to ensure you facility has the most current key in it, contact the fire department at 781-225-5600 or 5601.