TMA Membership Drives Kick Off July 1!

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It’s that time of year. We’ve got membership on our minds! Beginning Monday, July 1 – TMA kicks off two of its annual membership drives. Whether you’re a prospective member or current member – we have news for you! Prospective members – take advantage of our Half-Year All-In Membership Drive to save 50% off of your 2019 dues…plus take 10% off of 2020 dues if you join for 18 months now! Current members – check out out 2019-2020 Member-Get-a-Member drive…Who’s Your One?  Every member who recruits a new member receives an instant reward and gets a chance to win the grand prize!

Get all of the details:

  1. Half-Year All-In Membership Drive
  2. Who’s Your One? Member-Get-A-Member Drive

Got questions?

Email membership@tma.us – We’re here to help!

Support 911 Professionals in Getting the Recognition They Deserve

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The federal government currently classifies 9-1-1 operator positions as administrative/clerical in nature, in the same group for secretaries, office clerks, and taxicab dispatchers, which is inaccurate and a disservice to the lifesaving work and dedication of these professionals.  In partnership with APCO International, TMA is seeking your support for the bipartisan, bicameral , a simple zero-cost bill that would fix the federal classification by appropriately grouping Public Safety Telecommunicators with other “Protective” occupations.

Many of you work closely with 9-1-1 operators across the United States. You, more than most, understand the nature of the specialized training that is required and the depth of commitment to helping those in need. TMA asks you to take a few minutes to lend your support to this legislation aimed at raising the profile of your colleagues. It’s good governance, and it’s a much-deserved recognition for the 100,000 Public Safety Telecommunicators in our country.

Public Safety Telecommunicators should be categorized as Protective Service Occupations, which includes a broad range of “protective” occupations: lifeguards, gambling surveillance officers, fish and game wardens, parking enforcement workers, firefighters, and playground monitors, among others. Reclassification is common sense, and about getting Public Safety Telecommunicators the recognition they deserve for the work they do every day to protect and save the lives of the public and first responders.

Please support the 9-1-1 SAVES Act by sending a letter of support to those representatives who support the Act or a letter to request support.

The links below take you to a dynamic form on APCO’s website. You need simply provide your contact information and the appropriate letter is sent automatically to your representatives and senators. The process takes just minutes to complete.

Thank you for your time and support!

DHS – CISA Statement on Iranian Cybersecurity Threat

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In response to reports of an increase in cybersecurity threats, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Christopher C. Krebs issued a statement on Saturday, June 22, 2019.

TMA encourages all members to read the full statement below and take appropriate protective measures.

FULL STATEMENT

Statement on Iranian Cybersecurity Threats

WASHINGTON – In response to reports of an increase in cybersecurity threats, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Christopher C. Krebs issued the following statement:

“CISA is aware of a recent rise in malicious cyber activity directed at United States industries and government agencies by Iranian regime actors and proxies. We will continue to work with our intelligence community and cybersecurity partners to monitor Iranian cyber activity, share information, and take steps to keep America and our allies safe.

“Iranian regime actors and proxies are increasingly using destructive ‘wiper’ attacks, looking to do much more than just steal data and money. These efforts are often enabled through common tactics like spear phishing, password spraying, and credential stuffing. What might start as an account compromise, where you think you might just lose data, can quickly become a situation where you’ve lost your whole network.

“In times like these it’s important to make sure you’ve shored up your basic defenses, like using multi-factor authentication, and if you suspect an incident – take it seriously and act quickly.You can find other tips and best practices for staying safe online here.

“Anyone who has relevant information or suspects a compromise should immediately contact us at NCCICCUSTOMERSERVICE@hq.dhs.gov.”

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Take a Look Back at ESX 2019!

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It was wonderful to reconnect with so many members in Indianapolis at ESX 2019! From education programs to the exhibit floor to the social events, this year was one to remember! See who took home TMA’s Excellence and Marvel awards…and take a listen to one of the inspirational keynote messages! ESX 2019

Ask Alexa for the NEW Monitoring Association Update!

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Ask Alexa each Wednesday for your weekly Monitoring Association Update!

The Monitoring Association (TMA) strives to provide you with its latest news and information through a variety of communications channels. We’re excited to launch a new weekly news brief that you can access quickly and easily each and every Wednesday!

If you have an Amazon Echo, you can access your “Monitoring Association Update” by:

  1. Enabling the Monitoring Association skill.
  2. Saying “Alexa, open (or start) the “Monitoring Association Update” on your smart speaker or on your Alexa app on your smart phone.

Look for a version for Google’s Home to be released later this year!

Questions:

Contact TMA Director of Marketing & Communications Leigh A. McGuire at lmcguire@tma.us or 703.660.4916 or TMA Executive Director Celia Besore at cbesore@tma.us or 703.660.4913

 

The Monitoring Association Onboards Its 50th, 51st, and 52nd PSAP

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the addition of three new PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) to its ASAP-to-PSAP service, bringing the total number of participating jurisdictions up to 52. Bradley County, TN; Virginia Beach, VA; and, Burleson, TX are the three latest municipalities to go live. Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP service is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls for service from alarm companies to PSAPs.

Bradley County, TN was the 50th PSAP in the United States and the fourth PSAP in Tennessee to implement the ASAP program. On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, this program went live with ADS Security Nashville initially, followed by Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Protection One, Brinks, National Monitoring Center, Vivint, Tyco (Johnson Controls), ADT, Alert 360, Security Central, Guardian Protection Services, and Affiliated Monitoring.

“The Bradley County 911 Center is very excited to implement the ASAP program at our facility”, said Randy Sharp, Network Administrator.  “We have only been “live” with the product for 5 days and out of 95 alarm calls, 15% came in through ASAP freeing up approximately 45 minutes of our dispatchers/call takers time.  Time is of the greatest importance in a 911 center and ASAP is giving us back lifesaving minutes.”

The City of Virginia Beach VA is the 51st PSAP in the United States and the ninth PSAP in the Commonwealth of Virginia to implement the ASAP program. Virginia Beach went live on beginning Monday, May 20 through May 22, 2019 initially with Vector Security, followed by Rapid Response Monitoring, Guardian Protection Services, Tyco (Johnson Controls), AT&T Digital Life, National Monitoring Center, Affiliated Monitoring, Brinks Home Security, Vivint, Security Central, Richmond Alarm, Protection One, and ADT.

“Every second counts during an emergency,” said Stephen Williams, Director, City of Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services. “With ASAP, we are pleased to be able to reduce call processing times to provide quicker and more accurate emergency response to our citizens in Virginia Beach.”

The City of Burleson TX is the 52nd PSAP in the United States and the seventh PSAP in the state of Texas to implement the ASAP program. The  City of Burleson went live on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 and Wednesday, May 29, 2019 initially with Brinks Home Security, followed by Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, National Monitoring Center, Security Central, Vivint, Protection One, AT&T Digital Life, Guardian Protection Services, Affiliated Monitoring, and Tyco (Johnson Controls).

Learn more about TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP service.

Guardian Protection and CPI Security Take Top 2019 TMA Awards at ESX19

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TMA 2019 Excellence and Marvel Technology Awards we’re presented at the ESX 2019 Opening Celebration in Indianapolis, IN, Monday, June 3.

TMA Excellence Awards sponsor and partner SDM Magazine Editor Laura Stepanek had the honor of announcing the 2019 Excellence Awards winners, which include:

Monitoring Center of the Year
Guardian Protection

Manager of the Year
Sarah Murphy, Sonitrol of Fresno

Operator of the Year
Charles White, Affiliated Monitoring, Inc.

Support Person of the Year
Ben Perry, Universal Atlantic Systems

TMA Marvel Technology Award sponsor and partner Security Sales and Integration Editor Scott Goldfine had the honor to present CPI Security with the 2019 Marvel Technology Award.

Congratulations to all of our 2019 finalists and winners.

Look for details on the winners in the Summer issue of Dispatch.