TMA 2024 Awards Finalists Announced

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2024 Excellence Awards and Marvel Technology Award.

TMA’s Monitoring Center Excellence Awards recognize any FM Approvals, Intertek/ETL or UL-listed monitoring center (TMA members) and outstanding personnel who perform in the highest professional manner, thereby making a significant contribution to the betterment of the alarm industry and the alarm profession while demonstrating exceptional service to their customers and community.

The purpose of the awards program is to:

  • Establish and promote the inherent value of professional monitoring services in general.
  • Honor those who have made the most significant contributions to the service.
  • Promote the distinct level of professionalism attained by NRTL-approved monitoring centers.

TMA’s Monitoring Center Excellence Awards are co-sponsored by SDM Magazine, which will publish a feature story on this year’s award winners in its August issue. This year, the TMA/SDM Excellence Awards competition received a total of 32 entries across five categories. Listed in alphabetical order by company within each category, the finalists are:

Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise

  • ADT
  • Affiliated Monitoring
  • Rapid Response Monitoring

Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB

  • Kimberlite
  • Per Mar Security
  • Stealth Monitoring

Monitoring Center Manager of the Year

  • Jessica Lambert, AvantGuard
  • Claudia Torres, Rapid Response Monitoring
  • Erik Chalifour, TELUS Security

 Monitoring Center Operator of the Year

  • Esperanza Sena, ADT
  • Angelica Miranda, Affiliated Monitoring
  • Brenda Eichfeld, COPS Monitoring

 Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year:

  • John Turner, ADT
  • Jennifer Acevedo, Affiliated Monitoring
  • John Balthrop, Stealth Monitoring

TMA’s Marvel Technology Award honors innovations in monitoring center technology. It is co-sponsored by TMA and Security Sales & Integration (SSI) and coordinated by the TMA Technology Committee. The purpose of the Marvel Award is to provide recognition for monitoring centers creating and/or using cutting-edge technology to raise awareness of these new technologies and is presented to one overall winner for the “best adoption of new technology to advance your business.”

The finalists for the 2024 TMA/SSI Monitoring Technology “Marvel” Award are:

  • Elite Interactive Solutions, Inc.
  • Rapid Response Monitoring
  • Stealth Monitoring

Award entries are judged by a volunteer judging panel appointed by TMA. The winners will be announced at a virtual award ceremony presented on April 18, 2024, at 3:00 pm ET. Register to attend at https://themonitoringassociation.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/n4HmaGMtXHNCZ

View the Spring Issue of TMA Dispatch

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Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.The spring issue of the TMA Dispatch is now available! Login to the InfoHub to read.

One area where monitoring companies and dealers who are “new to the game†are concerned about is the camera conditions that AI can work well with and those they don’t work well with. In this issue’s cover story, TMA member and AI guru, Sonny Tai, Actuate, hopes to help clear this up. Learn more about the primary factors impacting camera accuracy.

In our Guest column, TMA friend and past keynote presenter Joel Block, Bullseye Capital, shares some of his and a colleague’s essential steps to master the art of attracting top performers. What are your company’s STATs when it comes to identifying and attracting top performers to your team?

Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates, dives into the latest residential market facts and figures in her monthly column. Just for starters, her research reports that 43% of US internet households now own a security solution and 32% subscribe to a security service. The news is quite exciting.

TMA’s GSOC Committee Co-Chair Richard Flores, IV, tackles redundancy in GSOC operations and systems in this new sanding column. In doing so, he asks the reader to consider the difference between redundancy and resiliency. Are they interchangeable?

Read these and more in the first issue of 2024!

Thank Your Local Public Safety Telecommunicators in April

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Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.

National Public Telecommunicators Week is coming up! make plans now to recognize the dedication and hard work of your local public safety partners.

There are many ways to show how grateful you are for the life-saving services these professionals provide 24/7/365.

APCO International has shared some ideas here: https://www.npstw.org/

TMA Members Make SIA’s Women in Security Forum Power 100

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TMA is proud to recognize its members who made the Security Industry Association’s (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) Power 100 in 2024.  The program honors 100 exceptional women in security who are raising the bar, changing expectations and breaking barriers. They lead, they inspire change and they innovate, and this is their time to be recognized!

Join us in congratulating these amazing women for their outstanding accomplishments:  

JULIE BEACH
Vice President, SONITROL, Securitas Technology

KELLY DELEO
Director, Solutions and Services – Americas, Axis Communications

AMANDA EDWARDS
Senior Account Executive, Paladin Technologies

TIFFANY GALARZA
Senior Director, Telecom & End User Tech, ADT

HRISTINA KOLEVA
Vice President of Customer Success, Stealth Monitoring

RACHELLE LOYEAR
Vice President, Integrated Security Solutions, Allied Universal

CARLA MANZANILLA
Program Manager, Allied Universal Technology Services

CAROLYN MCGRATH
Global Senior Director, Security and Fire Services, Johnson Controls

CHRISTINA PARK
Global Account Manager, Axis Communications

NANCY PETERSON
Executive Vice President/North America General Counsel, Allied Universal

JOEY RAO-RUSSELL
President and CEO, Sonitrol

SHARI WILSON
Director of Monitoring, ADT

Carrier to Divest Industrial Fire Unit in $1.4B PE Deal

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Carrier Global Corp. (NYSE: CARR) has agreed to sell its Industrial Fire business, which includes brands Det-Tronics, Marioff, Autronica and Fireye, to Sentinel Capital Partners for an enterprise value of $1.43 billion.

The transaction represents the latest step in Carrier’s ongoing portfolio transformation, following the recent acquisition of Viessmann Climate Solutions and the recently announced agreements to sell Carrier’s Global Access Solutions business to Honeywell for nearly $5 billion and its Commercial Refrigeration business to Haier for $775 million.

Carrier said it continues to prepare for the last of its four announced business exits — its combined commercial and residential fire businesses.

With approximately 1,400 employees operating in more than 20 countries, Carrier’s Industrial Fire business is a global provider in fire detection and suppression solutions for high-hazard applications across verticals such as critical infrastructure, oil and gas, marine and clean energy.

The pending sale will allow the business to build on the strength of its advanced lifecycle solutions, strong customer relationships and high growth potential across key segments, according to the announcement.

“This transaction marks another milestone in our transformation as we become a more focused, higher growth company, and furthers our vision to become the global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions,” said Carrier Chairman & CEO David Gitlin.

Carrier expects net proceeds from the transaction to exceed $1.1 billion and intends to use the proceeds to pay down debt. Closing is expected in the third quarter of 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as financial advisor to Carrier. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Linklaters LLP are providing external legal counsel.

Securitas Rolls Out Data Centre Certification Globally to Employees

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Written by Neil Sutton, Editor, Canadian Security, March 18, 2024

Securitas recently announced the availability of a data centre certification for its employees, with plans to train more than 10,000 staff.

The training, which became available in February, complements the launch of Securitas’ Global Data Center Group in 2023.

Securitas staff who successfully complete the training — which focuses on physical access control, emergency response procedures, adherence to ethics and professional conduct — will be recognized as Certified Data Security Professionals.

“Securitas’ certified data centre professionals will serve as vigilant eyes and ears, enhancing client safety by identifying hazards and improving working practices,” said the company in a press release when the training program was first announced.

At the moment, the certification is internal to Securitas, but there are efforts underway which would allow it to be recognized as a global industry standard.

Bert den Hartog, vice-president, global clients, Securitas, said the certification serves a dual purpose: to offer a higher level of service to the company’s data centre clients while providing valuable skills to Securitas staff and allowing them to gain a better understanding of how their role contributes to data centre security.

“Our officers will be security specialists in the data centre environment. Our specialists will be better prepared to provide security and safety service in a data centre and to continue with their professional development,” said den Hartog in an email interview with Canadian Security.

Securitas also plans to add more modules to the data centre training over time.

According to den Hartog, Securitas offers a broad range of training initiatives in addition to the data centre certification. Some training, which focuses on business ethics and values, is mandatory for Securitas employees.

These programs “make sure everyone in our company understands our core values, being integrity, helpfulness and vigilance, to make our world a safer place according to our mission,” he said.

Other, more specialized programs vary depending on the client or industry. “It has been proven that investment in people leads to better service and quality,” he added.

Important Tax Relief Legislation Needs Your Support NOW!

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Did you know that the U.S. House passed tax relief that would improve the Research and Development tax credit, so the full deduction of the investment cost can take place in the year that it occurred? According to ESA, it also would, temporarily, provide bonus depreciation for 100% of purchases made for equipment and short-lived capital assets.

Some TMA members would also benefit from an increase in the portion of interest on borrowed capital eligible to be deducted from businesses’ income taxes. It raises the cap to 30% of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) rather than 30% of EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes).

However, the U.S. Senate has not moved on the bill (even with the overwhelmingly bi-partisan support in the House).

Send a message to your Senators now to request passage of this legislation now!

Send a letter to your Senator through ESA at https://www.votervoice.net/ESA/campaigns/112783/respond

Get a sneak peek at TMA’s new Level 3 Video Operator Training Program at the Mid-Year Meeting

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Don’t miss a special, comprehensive session that is designed to unveil TMA’s new Level 3 Video Operator Training Program. Speakers Wes Usie, Guardian Alarm Systems, and Bryan Broadhead, Radius Security, have tailored a presentation for professionals seeking to excel in the evolving landscape of video monitoring.

Through an engaging curriculum that spans from the basics of video monitoring systems to the intricate nuances of operational best practices, participants will be immersed in a learning experience that covers industry overview, camera systems, contemporary issues, and much more. This training not only addresses the technical skills required for effective video monitoring but also delves into the critical aspects of decision-making, communication, confidentiality, cybersecurity, and the impact of artificial intelligence on video monitoring centers. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to update your skills, this session will equip you with the knowledge and competencies needed to navigate the complexities of modern video surveillance with confidence and expertise.

Session Objective: Provide participants with a detailed overview of TMA’s latest online training program which offers practical knowledge of video monitoring, focusing on the development of skills essential for operational excellence, situational awareness, and the ethical handling of sensitive information. You will learn how Level 3 will leverage the nuances of video monitoring, teach best practices in camera operation, and the significance of cybersecurity and AI in the context of video surveillance.

Top Three Take-Aways:

  1.  Foundational to Advanced Knowledge of Video Monitoring: See how Level 3 will help operators gain a holistic understanding of video monitoring systems, including types of monitoring, camera systems, the monitoring process, and best practices for surveillance operations, ensuring a solid foundation for excellence in video surveillance roles.
  2.  Critical Operational Skills: See how the Level 3 course will focus on key operational competencies, such as situational awareness, observational skills, threat assessment, effective communication, and decision-making, vital for enhancing operational efficiency and reducing errors in the monitoring process.
  3.   Ethical, Legal, and Technological Considerations: Understand the importance of confidentiality, privacy considerations, cybersecurity threats, and the role of AI in enhancing video monitoring operations, equipping participants with the knowledge to navigate the legal and ethical responsibilities of a video monitoring operator.

Register to attend the 2024 TMA Mid-Year meeting at https://my.tma.us/ap/Events/Register/ZrnOREop. Early-bird rates end March 31st.

Now Hiring? Post Your Job Opportunities on TMA’s Job Board

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As a member of TMA, you can post your company’s job opportunities for FREE in TMA’s online Job Board. It takes just a minute to upload the position description, your logo, and contact information. Reach experienced monitoring center talent with just a couple of clicks!

Your listing will be posted on TMA’s website for a period of time that you choose. TMA staff will promote your listing in various member communications, which may include the weekly TMA Signals, and the quarterly TMA Dispatch as well as through email and social media.

Let TMA boost exposure for your open positions!

To upload your company’s open positions:

STEP 1: Login to TMA’s InfoHub.

STEP 2: Select “Job Board” from the lower lefthand navigation.

STEP 3: Once on the Job Board page, select the “Add” button in the upper righthand corner of the page.

STEP 4: Fill-in the online form. Note – you may include your logo.

STEP 5: Click the Submit button.

Your posting will automatically display in the TMA Job Board online at https://my.tma.us/jobboard

If you have any questions, please contact membership@tma.us.

New CA 738 Area Code Coming 11/1/24

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The new 738 area code will overlay the existing 213 and 323 area codes in the Los Angeles area so that all three area codes serve the same geographic region. The new 738 area code that becomes effective on November 1, 2024.

Mandatory 1+10-digit dialing is already required in the 213 and 323 area codes and will be required in the new 738 area code as well.

For additional information, contact:

CA 213/323/738 overlay implementation committee co-chairs
Dana Crandall (Verizon), dana.crandall@verizonwireless.com, 682-831-3662
Javier Rodriguez (AT&T), jr1515@att.com, 512-457-2260