Alberta Basic Security Training (ABST) Practice Exam 2025

If someone pulls a fire alarm without reasonable cause, what offense is that individual committing?

1. Vandalism

2. Mischief

3. False Alarm

4. Negligence

The correct answer is: Mischief

The individual who pulls a fire alarm without reasonable cause is committing the offense of mischief. This action disrupts public safety and can lead to unnecessary panic, waste emergency resources, and put others at risk. Mischief, in this context, is defined as willfully causing damage or interference, which accurately captures the essence of falsely activating a fire alarm. While vandalism typically refers to the willful destruction of property, the act of pulling a fire alarm does not necessarily fall under this category unless it results in physical damage. False alarm is a relevant term but may not encompass all of the implications of the action, especially in a legal context where mischief encompasses the broader consequences of the act. Negligence involves a failure to act with the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise, but in this case, the act of falsely pulling a fire alarm is a deliberate choice rather than a careless mistake.