Chester County, PA Activates the ASAP Service

ASAP-Concept1DOn July 30, Chester County became the 39th 9-1-1 PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) in the United States and the 3rd in Pennsylvania to implement the ASAP-to-PSAP service (ASAP®). ASAP, launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls for service from alarm companies to PSAPs. The ASAP service utilizes ANSI standard protocols developed cooperatively by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and The Monitoring Association (TMA).

Director of Chester County Department of Emergency Services Robert J. Kagel said that “Deploying ASAP-to-PSAP is another tool for Chester County to provide our citizens with the most efficient 9-1-1 service possible.  By having the information from alarm companies being entered into the Computer-aided-dispatch system we will save as much as 2-3 minutes. This will help save lives and protect property.”

Vector Security was the first alarm monitoring company to go live with Chester County. They were followed by Tyco, Rapid Response, Brinks, Vivint, and Protection 1. Guardian, Affiliated and ADT will be live in a few days.

 

ASAP Expands Service in Florida

ASAP-Concept1DRiviera Beach Police Communications went live with the ASAP program on July 23. RBPD is currently live with Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Vivint, Protection One, ADT, Tyco, Affiliated Monitoring, Brinks, Guardian, and Central Security.

Riviera Beach is the 38th 9-1-1 PSAP in the United States, and the 5th locality in Florida to implement the ASAP program.

The Riviera Beach 9-1-1 PSAP began receiving four alarm notifications via the ASAP service within the first 24 hours of operation.

Details will be added when available.

TMA Virtual Product Review: Altronix Ethernet Over Coax Solutions

Altronix Showcases its latest Ethernet over Coax (EoC) solutions

TMA produced its first Virtual Product Review (VPR) on July 18. JR Andrews, National Sales Executive at Altronix Corporation, presented the company’s latest Ethernet over coax solutions. The 15-minute presentation highlighted Altronix’s eBridge800E 8-Port EoC Switch and introduced the eBridge1600F which is Altronix’s 16-port EoC switch with Ethernet and Fiber uplinks.

Among the benefits of this technology,  discuseBridge1600F_Frontbacksed during the Review, is how Altronix EoC media converters seamlessly facilitate the upgrade of analog to IP by repurposing coax cabling. These media converters deliver the additional benefit of providing both power and data over a single coax cable. This eliminates the need to rip and replace existing cabling with tremendous flexibility and substantial savings.

Check out the recording of the VPR.

TMA Virtual Product Reviews are webinars inspired by the popular two-minute “lighting round sessions” we offer at TMA Annual Meetings, where our Sponsors and Associate Members have an opportunity to speak about their products. The Virtual Product Review expands the lightning round concept into a 15-minute virtual live product review from a current TMA advertiser, in which attendees will not only learn more about a new/improved product or service, are able to ask questions.

Watch for notices in the TMA Signals and TMA Dispatch for the dates of the next Virtual Product Reviews.

Contact Celia Besore (cbesore@tma.us) for information on presenting a VPR to TMA members.

ESX 2018 Redefines Traditional Events, TMA Members Engage and Win

TMA members had the opportunity to network with fellow members at the TMA booth at ESX. Some lucky members who participated in TMA drawings for special prizes walked away winners. eDistSecurity won a free membership for the rest of 2018; Inna Rabkin of Blackline Safety won a complimentary registration to this November’s Fall Operations Management Seminar; and three members won Amazon echodots: Katie McAlister, Compliance Management Solutions, Fred Bohr, umboCV, and Heather Galbraith of Blackline Safety.

ESX 2018 Raffle Winners

Katie McAlister, Compliance Management Solutions (left), and Fred Bohr, umboCV, were two of the winners of Amazon echodots. Photo by Celia Besore.

The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) is quickly becoming the “UNevent,” redefining the traditional purpose of industry shows within the electronic security and life safety channel. With a mission to bring leaders together to learn more, share more and interact more, this year’s event held last month in Nashville did just that. Check out the complete report, including the inspiring video (you may be in it!). And mark your calendar now for Indianapolis June 2-6, 2019!

Alarmnet’s Collins is New Co-Chair of TMA Associates Committee

Chuck Collins2

TMA is pleased to announce that Chuck Collins, Director of Business Development at AlarmNet, is the new co-chair of the TMA Associate Members Liaison Committee.

A summer job installing alarm systems while attending trade school to be an electrician turned into a lifelong career in the alarm industry for Chuck Collins. Over the years, he has held positions of increasing management responsibility with rapidly growing central stations alarm companies as well as some of the industry’s leading manufactures.

“I’m a strong supporter of the industry associations,” said Collins. “I have learned so much meeting with colleagues at association events over the years. There is no better way to share industry best practices than participating in The Monitoring Association events. I’m excited to serve the association as co-chair on the Associate Members Committee.”

The committee advises the TMA Board of Directors of the needs and concerns of Associate Members (industry suppliers and manufacturers), and it provides input to the Membership, Technology, and Education Committees in areas of Associate Member services. Collins will join the current chair, Johnson Controls’ Nigel Spinks, in leading Associate Committee activities and initiatives.

A Practical Guide to Central Station Burglar Alarm Systems — Updated for 2018

A Practical Guide to Central Station Burglar Alarm Systems 5th Edition JANUARY 2018 coverThe fifth edition of “A Practical Guide to Central Station Burglar Alarm Systems” is now available!

This updated edition of TMA’s best-selling burglar alarm guide is designed for insurance agents, underwriters and loss-prevention specialists and is also an invaluable resource for monitoring center managers and designers.

This revised version of the definitive guide for burglar alarm systems contains the following information, updated for 2018:

  • Burglar Alarm Systems
    Types of Burglar Alarm Systems
    Components of a Central Station Burglar Alarm System
  • The Burglar Alarm Certificate Service of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
    Purpose
    UL Listings for Central Station Alarm Companies
    UL Certificate Verification Service (ULCVS)
    UL Procedures for Issuing Alarm Certificates
    Conclusion
  • Protection for Commercial Risks
    Physical Security
    Safe and Vault Protection
    Central Station Burglar Alarm Service
    Central Station Burglar Alarm Certificate Service
    Conclusion
  • Selecting a Central Station Burglar Alarm System
    Risk Analysis
    Loss Potential
    Loss Probability
    Determining Protection Level
    Levels of Protection
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Technical Descriptions of Alarm Systems
    Detection Devices
    Alarm Signaling Systems
    Line Supervision
    Line Security
  • Technical Descriptions of Safes and Vaults
    Burglary — Resistant Safes
    Burglary — Resistant Vaults

Order your print copy here. Cost: $62.50. TMA members receive a 20% discount. 

TMA thanks Stanley Oppenheim, president of DGA Security Systems, for his efforts to produce the 5th edition of this important publication.

TMA to Welcome Board Members from Kimberlite, Doyle, and Acadian in October

At the June 19, 2018 General Membership meeting in Nashville at ESX, TMA members voted to add three accomplished industry members to the TMA Board of Directors. These three professionals will officially join the Board following the close of the 2018 Annual Meeting on October 17. The Board members-elect are:

  • Brandon Niles, Acadian Monitoring Services
  • Joey Rao-Russell, Kimberlite Corporation
  • Kevin Stone, Doyle Security

Brandon Niles  Joey Rao-Russell Headshot  Kevin Stone
From left: Niles, Rao-Russell, Stone

Brandon Niles, Director of Operations for Acadian Monitoring Services, has been with the company since 2010, when he was originally hired as legal counsel. He is responsible for the management of all departments and the strategic development of key partnerships inside and outside of the security industry. He is the license holder for Acadian in a number of states and was instrumental in helping Acadian significantly grow a number of the non-traditional monitoring services that it currently offers.

Acadian is an employee-owned monitoring company with three UL-listed, redundant central stations, each of which has earned the coveted “Five Diamond” designation trm TMA. Acadian has offices in Louisiana, Illinois and Texas; its parent company is Acadian Ambulance Service, which is the world’s largest privately-owned ambulance company.

Niles stated that he is “joining the board in hopes of being a voice for the small- to mid-size monitoring company.” He plans to be involved with the Education Committee, Video Committee, and Contract Monitoring Council as they work on initiatives that benefit all members of The Monitoring Association.

Joey Rao-Russell, President and CEO of Kimberlite Corporation, serves as chair of the Law Enforcement subcommittee of TMA’s Public Safety Liaison Committee. She has worked in the security industry for 16 years, working in all aspects of the business including operations and sales up to her current position as the President and CEO of Kimberlite, the world’s largest independent Sonitrol franchisee. Based in Fresno, California,  Kimberlite has consistently been ranked in the SDM Top 100 companies and integrators for the last 15 years and operates an award-winning central station specializing in audio- and video-verified security solutions. Rao-Russell currently serves as Past President of the Sonitrol National Dealers Association and President of PPVAR.

Kevin J. Stone, CPP, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President for Doyle Security Systems, Inc., is a 29-year veteran of the industry.  He has responsibility for Sales, Installation and Service for Doyle Security’s five branches in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Erie, Pennsylvania. In addition, he is responsible for the Doyle Medical Monitoring division and the Locksmith and Safe division. During this time, The Monitoring Association awarded the Central Station of the Year to Doyle Security. Doyle Security has been recognized as the SDM Dealer of the Year, won an award for Marketplace Excellence from the Better Business Bureau and was recognized for Superior Business Ethics by the Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation. Doyle Security ranks 41st on the 2018 SDM Top 100 list.

Stone currently sits on the Advisory Board of the American Cancer Society and Rochester Area Crime Stoppers. He is past President, a Paul Harris Fellow and Rotarian of the Year of the Akron Newstead Rotary Club and is past Chairman of the Western New York Chapter of American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS). “I am excited to join the board and I’m looking forward to helping to further advance the mission and goals of the TMA,” said Stone.

 

TMA Education Committee Welcomes New Co-Chair Erik Young

TMA Education Committee Chair John Brady announced that Erik Young, Senior HR Manager for Brinks Home Security, has stepped into the position of co-chair of this important TMA committee.

Brady recently issued a call for new volunteers to join the committee with the goal of building “a stronger breadth of people and talents” on the education committee in order to accomplish its initiatives. Erik Young fits that bill.

Erik YoungYoung, who holds an MBA as well as a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Training, oversees all Learning and Development efforts within Brinks Home Security. His team provides new hire and ongoing training to dealers and team members as well as leadership development and compliance training.

“Being in the home security industry entails a tremendous responsibility to our customers,” said Young, who joined Brinks Home Security in January 2014. “Everyone deserves to be safe in their own home, and it’s up to us to deliver on that promise. Fast response is critical, but it’s also important to have respect, empathy, and understanding. That’s why effective learning and development play such a critical role.”

“Erik brings a level of expertise that will bring additional value to TMA’s educational goals to elevate the student experience,” adds Julie Webber, TMA VP of Education and Training.  In his new position, Young will be working closely with Brady, Webber, TMA leadership, and other committee volunteers on initiatives including the planned Level 2 Operator Training, 2018 Fall Ops, and TMA education events in 2019 including The Technology Summit, ESX, and the Annual Meeting.

TMA Annual Meeting: Thanks to Our Sponsors

TMA2018-Banner

TMA thanks our many sponsors for their support of our 2018 Annual Meeting, coming up in Palm Beach October 13-17. Their generosity helps us present the kind of high-quality networking and education event our members expect!

Companies can sponsor speakers, entertainment, technology support, and even t-shirts. See current sponsorships. 

We welcome additional support from interested associate members. There are still a few sponsorship opportunities open that bring with them visibility at the event and special access to attendees. Contact John McDonald at meetings@tma.us for a brochure and more information.

TMA Launches Virtual Product Review Series; Altronix Leads Off

TMA is pleased to offer the first of a series of TMA Virtual Product Reviews. These reviews were inspired by the popular two-minute “lighting round sessions” we offer at TMA Annual Meetings, where our Sponsors and Associate Members have an opportunity to speak about their products. The Virtual Product Review expands the lightning round concept into a 15-minute virtual live product review, where the attendees will not only learn more about a new/improved product or service, but will be able to ask questions.

Please join TMA Member Altronix on July 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM EDT to learn more about Altronix’s latest Ethernet over coax solutions.

The virtual product review will highligh the eBridge800E 8-Port EoC Switch and introduce the eBridge1600F which is Altronix’s 16-port EoC switch with Ethernet and Fiber uplinks. eBridge1600F_FrontbackAltronix Ethernet over Coax (EoC) media converters seamlessly facilitate the upgrade of analog to IP by repurposing coax cabling. These media converters deliver the additional benefit of providing both power and data over a single coax cable.

Altronix’s comprehensive line of EoC solutions eliminate the need to rip and replace existing cabling with tremendous flexibility and substantial savings.

Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6042583145371717635 and learn how to save money and time!