Can I ask what the community group was that he was delivering the safety talk to? You can't teach all community groups the same, and with the elderly and non English speaking groups, its far easier to tell them to call 000, and then have the Fire Service on scene deal with what ever issue has arisen. I would much rather my Grandmother call 000 because her smoke alarm is beeping, then to "not want to cause a bother" and not call 000 where there happens to be an emergency.
On the topic of Private security companies, obviously a topic that is close to your heart, like most things, I've seen good ones and bad ones. Bad ones call the Fire Service at 0300 for burglar alarms, and keep their systems is disarray and hence causing many a false alarm. Good ones are easy to contact during non business hours and are very helpful and keep everything in tip top shape.
There are really two issues here, you're pissy because someone had a go at your bread and butter, that due to circumstances they may have experienced, they may well feel justified in suggesting. In terms of smoke alarms, smoke alarms are there to quite simply, detect smoke, and alarm people. At which time, people are alerted to the possibility of a fire and to evacuate the premises. After this, they can then call the Fire Service. The value in paying a private security company to monitor your smoke alarms is nill, in my opinion. This may have been what Mr. SAMFS was trying to suggest.
As for calling 000 when you hear smoke alarms, I'm going to do it if I hear a smoke alarm going off for a while, or if I know people aren't at home. Even now, if I hear one going off close by, I'll poke my head out and have a look. As a firefighter, I'd rather go to 100 false alarms than houses that are too far gone to save. Thats what smoke alarms are meant to do, allow early detection of fires to save lives and property!
