Knox Box Program

On behalf of the Knox Box Company, the Orange Volunteer Fire Company would like to take a moment to explain the benefits of this countywide program and how it would make the working relationship between our fire company and you, the property owner, more effective. Below we will explain the premise behind the program and hopefully answer any questions you may have. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

What is a Knox box?

The Knox Box rapid entry system is a small wall mounted safe that holds contents like keys and entry cards or codes that the property owner wants to remain secure but accessible to fire and ems personnel.

Why install a Knox box?

There is nothing worse than being woken up at 3 AM to a phone call about alarm activations at property you own. You are then forced to leave your house for an unknown amount of time only to bring a set of keys for the fire department to access the building and reset the alarm. The contents of the Knox box give fire and ems personnel a quick, safe, and non-destructive way of accessing the property you own. This prevents time lost for the personnel on scene waiting for a key holder; it prevents you, the property owner, from having to leave your home at an inconvenient time, and also could potentially save you significant costs for damages to entryways if it were necessary to force into the building.

How does the Knox Box system work?

Across the county, fire department apparatus carry a key retention box. This box holds the Knox key that gives them access into your Knox box. The key retention box is an electronic box that can be opened only two ways: either requested through the 911 center or by the officer in charge who must enter a specific entry code. When the key is removed, an internal computer system logs the date and exact time of when the key was removed and when it was returned.

Is it safe?

It is absolutely safe and the most secure system on the market. Fire companies have stopped carrying keys on apparatus for buildings throughout each of their respective first dues because the keys were unsecure and the key rings became unmanageable. With a singular keyed system, we access the box that you own and you control the content of that box.

Where are they mounted?

We recommend knox boxes get mounted somewhere fixed and visible. The boxes come with reflective striping that helps us identify them at night; however, it is best they are located near a main entrance and somewhere that is quickly visible.

What do I put in them?

The purpose of the box is to provide first responders fast, effective, and easy access into your facility during an emergency or suspected emergency. We always recommend the contents within the box remain user friendly during normal conditions and in the event power is lost. Often, proximity cards may not work when power is lost to the facility so keys typically tend to be the first choice.  Our staff and staff from County Fire & EMS will assist you through this process.

What’s the cost to me?

The box we recommend is part of the Knox Box 3200 series. The box can hold up to 10 keys and can include a tamper switch that can be wired to an alarm security system. If you are a property owner of property with multiple tenants or buildings, one box will be sufficient.

Sign me up, where do I begin?         

Orange County Fire & EMS manages the entire system. You can contact their office at 540-672-7044 for further information.