“Leaders Must Build Trust During Change” is Keynote Message at 2018 Annual Meeting of The Monitoring Association

October 13-17 in Palm Beach is a “Can’t Miss” Event for Monitoring Industry Leaders; 2018 Plans Reflect Attendees’ Desire for a More Streamlined Schedule

The Monitoring Association announced the keynote speaker for its 2018 Annual Meeting (October 13-17 in Palm Beach, FL). David Horsager, CEO and best-selling author of “The Trust Edge,” will present Build Trust or Die Amidst Change:  How to Build Trust, Lead Others & Grow Revenue through Times of Transition.

“Change is constant–and the speed of business is faster than ever before,” says Horsager. “How do you build trust and keep things running smoothly during major business transitions or uncertain political climates? In this session, I’ll show leaders how times of change are the greatest opportunity to build trust and achieve business results in the face of uncertainty.”

Attendees will benefit from these key takeaways from Horsager’s presentation:

  • The single most important driver in communication during times of transition
  • How to accelerate decision making and keep momentum moving for those you lead
  • Why the “How” is more important than the “Why”

David Horsager, MA, CSP, CPAE is the CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute, national bestselling author of “The Trust Edge,” inventor of the Enterprise Trust Index™, and director of one of the nation’s foremost trust studies: The Trust Outlook™. His work has been featured in prominent publications such as Fast Company, Forbes, The Huffington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Horsager has advised leaders and delivered life-changing presentations on six continents, with audiences ranging everywhere from FedEx, Toyota and global governments to the New York Yankees and the Department of Homeland Security.

The 2018 TMA Annual Meeting will continue to build on the improvements and successes of the past years, presenting the strong education program and unparalleled networking only found at TMA’s annual event, along with the unique opportunity to interact with AHJ representatives. “We hope all TMA member companies will be represented in Palm Beach this year,” said TMA president Ivan Spector. “It’s always beneficial to see your fellow members in person and learn from the best of the best!”

This year, there is an adjustment to the traditional schedule. “Member feedback from recent years indicated that attendees want the Annual Meeting to be more streamlined,” continued Spector. “To that end, we are compressing two days of board and committee meetings into one. Committee members now do not need to arrive until early Sunday afternoon. However, we hope that if you can, you will come as early as Friday to take advantage of our spectacular location.”

Additional education sessions (October 15-17) at the Annual Meeting will focus on helping leaders address critical issues and challenges facing the monitoring industry, such as the millennial workforce, executive management, technology trends, and telecomm issues. The complete roster of speakers will be announced over the summer.

Rooms are available now at the 5-Star, 5-Diamond Eau Palm Beach Resort, located on the south end of Palm Beach Island, an 18-mile long Atlantic coast barrier island. For reservations call 855-388-0537 or use the TMA online portal. Registration will open in April. For more information, visit tma.us/2018am.
Preliminary Schedule (Subject to Change)

Saturday, October 13
Evening — Board and AHJ Dinner

Sunday, October 14
Morning — Board of Directors Breakfast and Meeting
Afternoon — Executive Committee Meeting, TMA Committee Meetings
Evening — Welcome Reception/Buffet

Monday, October 15
Morning — AHJ Representatives Breakfast, General Business Meeting/Keynote
Afternoon — AHJ Open Forum and Luncheon
Evening — Theme Night Reception/Buffet

Tuesday, October 16
Morning — General Session
Evening — Open

Wednesday, October 17
Morning — General Session
Evening — President’s Reception and Dinner/Dance

–March 26, 2018

 

 

Prince George’s County, MD Goes Live with ASAP for Faster, More Accurate Emergency Response

ASAP-Concept1DTechnology Automates Emergency Response for More Speed and Accuracy

Prince George’s County, MD is the latest municipality to implement Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP), a service designed to automate communication between alarm monitoring central stations and public safety dispatch/911 centers. Prince George’s County is the 37th PSAP to implement ASAP, and at 499 square miles, the second largest.

Electronic data transmission results in the following benefits for residents and first responders:

  • Fewer phone calls to emergency response centers. Alarm center data is passed to public safety dispatch/911 operators electronically within seconds and then provided to first responders upon dispatch to the location.
  • Quicker processing times. Data doesn’t have to be input manually or communicated verbally, resulting in reduced hold times, less chance of human error and faster responses.
  • Greater accuracy of information transmitted.
  • More prompt action during natural disasters. It’s common for public safety dispatch/911 centers to be overwhelmed with calls during these types of emergencies.

With ASAP delivering alarm notification information directly from central stations to public safety answering points (PSAPs) and public safety dispatch centers via computer rather than by phone, the municipality expects alarm response times to drop significantly. These benefits will extend across Prince George’s County police, fire and emergency medical services.

Vector Security customers went live on March 21, followed by customers from other security companies. Nearly 3,400 Vector Security customers in the county will benefit from improved emergency response times. “We are constantly working to provide a safer environment for the public,” said Anita Ostrowski, Vice President of Central Station Services, Vector Security. “We’ve come a long way since being the first alarm company to introduce ASAP to Richmond, VA in 2012, and we are glad to see the technology make its way into more communities across the nation.”

ASAP was formed following a partnership between The Monitoring Association (formerly the Central Station Alarm Association) and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Professionals.

For more information on the benefits and features of ASAP, visit www.tma.us/asap.

New Licensing Fees Coming in California

The California Alarm Association reported on March 20 that, as a result of legislation (SB 547, Chapter 429) signed into law in 2017, effective July 1, 2018, there will be new fee amounts for most license types regulated by the Alarm Company Act, Collateral Recovery Act, Locksmith Act, Private Security Services Act, and Proprietary Private Security Services Act.

Please note that SB 547 did not affect the fees in the Private Investigator Act.

Submitting Initial Applications for Licensure: The date the application and payment for initial licensure is submitted will determine whether the current or new fee will apply:

  • If the application is submitted by mail and postmarked before July 1, 2018, the current fee will apply.
  • If the application is submitted by mail and postmarked on or after July 1, 2018, the new fee will apply,
  • If the application is submitted by BreEZe or in-person before July 1, 2018, the current fee will apply.
  • If the application is submitted by BreEZe or in-person on or after July 1, 2018, the new fee will apply.

Submitting Renewal Applications: The expiration date for your current license, registration, certificate or permit determines whether your renewal payment is the current fee or the new fee amount. If the expiration date is before July 1, 2018, the current fee will apply. If the expiration date is after July 1, 2018, the new fee will apply even if you pay the renewal fee before July 1, 2018.

To see a breakdown of the application fee amounts per license type, please visit the following link: http://bsis.ca.gov/forms_pubs/newfees.pdf

2018 TMA Tech Summit: Onsite Reports

The 2018 TMA Technology Summit has concluded! Scroll down for photos and check out our #TMATech18 hashtag on Twitter for more photos and updates.

Tech Summit 2018 Fortinet

Wednesday March 21 – Next Generation Firewalls – The Cyber Security Tool for Maximum Security
Speaker: Jason Graun, Systems Engineering Manager, Office of the CTO, Fortinet

Tech Summit 2018 Rubrik

Wednesday March 21 – Data Backup and Disaster Recovery Explained – Is Your Solution the Right One for You?
Speaker: Evan Shelley, Engineer, Rubrik

Tech Summit 2018 I View Now

Wednesday March 21 – Video Monitoring and SNMP Traps for Inline Video Monitoring Speakers: Larry Folsom (left) and Ashley Bradford, I-View Now

Tech Summit 2018 Parks

Wednesday March 21 – How AI and DIY Will Transform the Residential Security Business
Keynote Speaker: Tom Kerber, Director, IoT Strategy, Parks Associates

Tuesday March 20 – Groups reporting back about takeaways and priorities after roundtable discussions.

tech-summit-2018-roundtable-report-31.jpg

Tech Summit 2018 Roundtable Report 2tech-summit-2018-roundtable-report-3.jpg

 

 

Tech Summit 2018 Secuvant.jpg

Tuesday, March 20: Todd Neilson, Co-Founder/COO and Kevin Howard, VP Security Engineering, Secuvant are presenting “What the Dark Web Can Teach Us about Cybersecurity”

 

Tech Summit 2018 AT&T

Tuesday, March 20: Chris McConnell and Timothy Shira, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T Business, present “3G, LTE, FirstNet and Beyond”

Tech Summit 2018

Tuesday, March 20: Keynote speaker Jeff Freeman, VP worldwide systems engineering, Rubrik, speaking about understanding Cloud data management solutions

 

Tech Summit 2018 Jay Steve Sascha

Tuesday, March 20: TMA Technology Committee Co-Chairs Sascha Kylau (far left) and Steve Butkovich (center) with TMA Executive Director Jay Hauhn (at podium) welcome attendees to the 2018 TMA Technology Summit.

 

ASAP Surge: Phoenix and Collier County/Naples

ASAP-Concept1DThe Phoenix AZ Police Department went live with the ASAP service in March, the third in Arizona and the 34th agency in the United States to launch ASAP.

Collier County/Naples, FL also recently went live with ASAP, the fourth in Florida and the 35th agency in the United States to launch ASAP.

This post will be updated. 

ADS Security Partners with City of Brentwood to Improve Emergency Response with ASAP

Brentwood is the second community in Tennessee to go live with ASAP-to-PSAP.

On March 15, ADS Security (ADS), a regional electronic security company based in NashvilleASAP-Concept1D, announced the introduction of the ASAP-to-PSAP service (ASAP) in Brentwood, TN. ADS worked closely with the City of Brentwood and the Brentwood Emergency Communications Center to make this technology available in their area. ASAP will cut down on 911 processing time by 2-3 minutes for all residents of the City of Brentwood.

“ADS Security is delighted that the City of Brentwood Emergency Communications Center has allowed us to partner with them to introduce this state-of-the-art technology,” said Steve Crist, ADS Director of Monitoring Operations. “Reducing alarm response times is at the heart of what we all do.”

Now in Brentwood, alarm companies like ADS Security will be able to electronically send information like addresses, names, and alarm information directly to 911 operators. The information appears in an “instant messaging” box for the 911 operators to quickly review. They then are able to provide real-time dispatching information back to the alarm company, to then relay to the customers.

The three main benefits of ASAP are:

  1. The electronic transmission of data virtually eliminates mistakes and miscommunications with humans talking over the phone.
  2. The elimination of a phone line from the transmission process can cut down 911 processing time by 2-3 minutes. This can save lives, help authorities more quickly extinguish fires, and help apprehend criminals.
  3. This program reduces call volume into emergency communication centers. This can save municipalities money and resources that can be better allocated elsewhere to serve the community.

The City of Brentwood is only the second agency to go live with ASAP in Tennessee, following Chattanooga /Hamilton County which went online with this program in November 2017. ADS plans to continue to work with communities across the Southeast to roll this program out in all of the areas they service.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, ADS Security (ADS) is ranked the 20th largest electronic security firm in the nation, according to the annual Top 100 rankings compiled by Security Distributing & Marketing (SDM) magazine. ADS was named Dealer of the Year by SDM in 2014.

Following ADS, Rapid Response, Protection One, Vector, Tyco, Monitronics, Guardian, and Vivint have gone live with Brentwood.  ADT is scheduled to go live with Brentwood on March 27. Brentwood is the 36th agency in the United States to launch ASAP.

 

 

Colorado Representative Addresses AICC

Representative Michael Coffman (R-CO), who sits on the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees, spoke to the AICC members at their quarterly meeting in Washington, DC last week.

Lou Fiore Mike Coffman AICC 3.8.18 cropped

Representative Michael Coffman, left, and AICC Chair Lou Fior

Coffman primarily focused on the net neutrality issue and where proposed legislation stands in Congress. He indicated he is against repeal of the December 2017 FCC overrule of the net neutrality rules because it would set a precedent for change every few years.

At the meeting, members also discussed the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, security industry concerns regarding drones, cybersecurity and IoT, and other important issues.

For information on membership in AICC, contact chair Lou Fiore.

TMA Mourns Rod Garner, Bill Moody, and Ray Adams

The TMA community is saddened by the recent deaths of three renowned industry members.

Rodney Grant Garner (June 11, 1948 – February 18, 2018) —  Rodney Grant Garner, of Pleasant View, UT, began his association with the alarm industry by working with his father-in-law at Mountain Alarm. Later, as President and CEO of Mountain Alarm, he grew the small family business to the 28th largest security company in America that employs more than 275 people. He was passionate about his work, and loved talking business and motivating his family to find success. His son Josh is the CEO of AvantGuard Monitoring Centers, Inc. Read Rod’s complete obituary and the statement from Mountain Alarm. 

William Moody (October 1, 1926 – March 1, 2018) of Lafayette, NJ died at the age of 91.. He began his career as an electronic design engineer and section chief at the Naval Ordnance Lab in White Oak, Md. While there, his projects included the design and development of a heat-activated homing torpedo and the firing systems for the Alias Betty atomic depth bomb project, the success of which earned him a commendation from the U.S. Department of the Navy. Following work as a designer, engineering manager, marketing director, and plant manager in a variety of Schlumberger locations on the East Coast, he became president of Dumont Electronics in 1972, followed by a move to ADT in 1981. While a vice president with ADT he held a variety of posts encompassing engineering, manufacturing and distribution. Bill enjoyed a long and illustrious career before retiring at the age of 80. He continued as a consultant to the alarm systems industry for several more years after his retirement. Read Bill’s complete obituary.

Raymond L. Adams (June 23, 1929 – March 8, 2018) began his career in 1953 as the first salesman hired to introduce Sam Bagno’s ultrasonic sensor to the alarm industry. In 1971 he joined Norman Rubin of the Supreme Burglar Alarm Corp. in a series of ventures, beginning with the formation of the Mutual Central Station Corp. in New York City. When Honeywell acquired Mutual, he stayed on to manage the central station. He rejoined Rubin in 1973 and together they formed Jewelers Protection Services Limited with Adams serving as president. He later became president of both Security Centres, Inc. and its subsidiary, Holmes Protection of New York, renamed HolmesLimited in 1989. A link to his obituary will be posted when available.

 

This post will be updated. 

 

UL 827 Industry File Review (IFR) Effective Date Extension Proposal

March 9 — Today, UL published a proposal to extend the effective dates for two sets of requirements that are new to the 8th edition of UL 827, The Standard for Central Station Services. The proposed effective dates will align confirmation of new requirement compliance with UL’s annual audit program for monitoring stations.

The proposed extension dates are:

  • July 31, 2018 extended to January 15, 2019
  • July 31, 2020 extended to January 15, 2021

“The new requirements in UL 827 have proven to be quite challenging,” noted Alan Cavers, Managing Engineer of UL’s Certificate Service business. “Our monitoring station customers have made great progress, but in many cases, UL needs one more on-site visit to finish compliance determination. The current mid-year effective dates would require that UL establish separate engineering projects to assure the necessary work is completed prior to the effective date. Those projects would be outside of the annual audit program, adding extra cost and complexity to our customers’ experience. Adjusting the effective dates as proposed would simplify the process for all parties.”

The proposal was sent, via email, to all impacted monitoring stations, with a request for comment by April 8, 2018. For more information, contact Margret Sloma (Margret.Sloma@ul.com) at UL.

New TMA Interest Group for Licensing, Permitting, and Regulations Management

TMA is launching a new TMA interest group for members who deal with licensing, permitting, and regulations management. The group is formed in response to the results of the 2017 TMA Voice of the Customer survey in which licensing and regulatory issues were identified as among those of most concern to TMA members. The first virtual meeting of this group is this Friday, March 9 at 2:00 pm ET.

Head shot

Kate Fisher

The group will be led by two TMA members, Kate Fisher, President of Compliance Management Solutions, LLC and Rick Sheets, Director, Licensing Compliance and Industry Affairs, AT&T-Digital Life; AT&T/DirectTV. Rick is also a TMA Board Member and the Chair of the TMA Government Relations Committee.

rick-sheets-executive-pic

Rick Sheets

The intent of the interest group is to provide a forum to discuss issues related to compliance, as well as to establish a virtual community of like-minded people who can help each other.

The first virtual meeting of this group will take place on Friday, March 9 at 2:00 pm ET. We want the discussion to be worthwhile to all, so please send cbesore@tma.us  topics/questions that you would like covered during the call by Wednesday, March 7. We also hope to discuss the following:

  • Frequency and time of further meetings
  • Format of interaction
  • Goals of community
  • Review of current resources (TMA wiki; SIAC database)
  • Discussion of current issues (based on your questions)
    • Sandy Springs update and data request

Please register for the virtual meeting at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9020741229004723969. You will receive a confirmation email and the link and phone number to join the call. Contact Celia Besore at 703-242-4670, x. 18 or cbesore@tma.us if you have any questions.