Abstract: A method includes receiving at least one search parameter, where the at least one search parameter defines one or more restrictions on types of event patterns. The method also includes searching a collection of historical events associated with a process control system. The method further includes identifying one or more groups of alarms each having a pattern that satisfies the one or more restrictions. In addition, the method includes outputting information identifying the one or more groups of alarms. The method could also include receiving a selection of at least one of the one or more identified groups of alarms. The method could further include notifying one or more components in the process control system to begin dynamically suppressing alarms in the at least one selected group of alarms.