TMA Standards Chair Heads ISC West Panel on ANSO/TMA-ATN-01

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Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.TMA Standards Committee Chair Morgan Hertel, Rapid Response Monitoring, facilitated an educational session at ISC West in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 24th on TMA’s newest ANSI standard – Active Threat Detection Standard (TMA-ATN-01). The session highlighted how implementing the standard can increase efficiency, accuracy, and speed for monitoring centers and responding agencies in an active threat event.

The presentation panel also featured Mike Picciola, ADT; Megan Bixler, RPL, CPE, APCO International; and Richard Onofrio, Shooter Detection Systems (pictured here). All contributed to the development of the standard, which was released in 2025.
Learn more TMA-ATN-01 and download the standard at https://tma.us/standards/tma-atn-01/.

DICE Corporation Introduces New Billing Platform for Wholesale Monitoring Companies

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Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.DICE Corporation has developed a billing platform for wholesale monitoring companies and their dealers that integrates with the DICE Alarm & Video monitoring suite of products, including the DICE Matrix and Ceila.ai platforms.

The new system allows wholesale monitoring companies to provide billing and collection services to their dealers and integrators. It includes a portal where dealers can view billing status, including revenue billed and collected. The system also features a collection management component that displays the status of collections, identifies past-due accounts, and shows which accounts have received suspension warnings.

For clients and subscribers, the system offers modern email communications that include PDF invoices and statements with a click-to-pay option, allowing them to pay using their preferred payment method. Subscribers can also log in to the online portal to view past bills and statements, as well as set up automatic payment processing.

The new software is part of DICE Corporation’s platform, which utilizes the Microsoft Dynamics Business Central stack, providing a full financial solution for back-office operations, Sales CRM, and Field Service platforms designed for small to midsize companies and their budgets. Cliff Dice, CEO of DICE Corporation, said, “This service is one of the many products we are bringing to the wholesale dealer monitoring sector of the industry as we begin rolling out one product after another. It’s really an exciting time, as we believe the many products coming out for dealers and integrators will enhance, like never before, the number of options they have to run their businesses.â€

DICE Corporation is one of the industry’s most well-known software companies, providing alarm centers with systems for handling alarm events, video events, and PERS monitoring. The company also develops PBX systems built directly into its automation platform and offers one of the most advanced recurring billing financial systems integrated with Microsoft Dynamics Business Central.

Congressional Fire Services Institute Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner

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Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.TMA CEO Whitney Doll attended the Congressional Fire Services Institute Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on March 19th in Washington, DC. The event brings together leaders from across the fire and emergency services community to connect, share insights, and advance critical priorities.

Also in attendance were members of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire and Life Safety Section (FLSS) Board of Directors.

“I enjoyed seeing many familiar faces and learning more about the issues shaping the future of fire prevention and life safety.. It was such an inspiring evening and a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration in advancing safety and security,” she shared.

Thank you to Richard Roberts (pictured here with Whitney) and Honeywell for the invitation to attend.

Security Industry Unites on Capitol Hill for Fourth Annual Hill Walk

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More than 70 professionals from across the electronic security and monitoring industry convened in Washington, D.C., on March 5 for the fourth annual Hill Walk, a coordinated advocacy effort designed to amplify the industry’s voice with federal policymakers.

This year’s Hill Walk was jointly organized by the Security Industry Association (SIA), the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and The Monitoring Association (TMA), marking the second consecutive year the three leading industry organizations formally co-sponsored the event.

Participants conducted a full day of meetings across Capitol Hill, visiting a total of 55 legislative offices spanning both chambers of Congress and both political parties. The delegation included representatives from monitoring centers, security integrators, manufacturers, and other industry stakeholders, underscoring the breadth of the security ecosystem and its shared policy priorities.

Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.

Unified Voice on Critical Industry Issues

A central topic of discussion during the meetings was a petition before the Federal Communications Commission submitted by NextNav. Hill Walk participants encouraged lawmakers to urge the FCC to dismiss the petition, citing concerns about its potential impact on spectrum resources and the reliability of services that support alarm monitoring and emergency communications.

In addition to the spectrum issue, representatives from The Monitoring Association highlighted several policy priorities of the industry’s public safety partners, reinforcing the close relationship between professional monitoring services and first responders. These conversations emphasized the importance of protecting communications infrastructure and maintaining reliable pathways for emergency signaling that communities depend on every day.

Broad Engagement Across Capitol Hill

The Hill Walk’s meetings included offices in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, providing an opportunity for industry leaders to educate lawmakers and staff about the role of the security sector in protecting homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.

Advocates also shared insights about the industry’s economic impact, technological innovation and longstanding partnerships with law enforcement and emergency response agencies.

Strength in Collaboration

Leaders from the three sponsoring associations emphasized that the event’s success reflects the growing collaboration across the security industry.

“The security industry is strongest when we speak with one voice,†said Alan Gillmore, IV, president of TMA. “By bringing together SIA, ESA and TMA, we demonstrated the power of collaboration and ensured that policymakers heard directly from the professionals who design, install and operate the technologies that help keep people safe every day.â€

Building Momentum for Future Advocacy

The Hill Walk continues to grow in both participation and impact. The event highlighted the security industry’s shared commitment to proactive advocacy and constructive dialogue with policymakers and to advancing technology and communications policies that support public safety and innovation.

Security Hill Day – Policy Priorities Papers

More than 20 ECCs set to go live with ASAP

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Within the next several months, the following ECCs serving over 8 million in population are expected to go live.

  • Brevard County, FL – ~644K population
  • Oklahoma City, OK – ~709K population
  • St. Joseph County, IN – ~272K population
  • Montgomery County, MD – ~1.09M population
  • Cleveland, OH – ~362K population
  • Galveston, TX – ~370K population
  • Louisville, KY – ~750K population
  • Arlington County, VA – ~240K population
  • Mesquite, TX – ~147K population
  • Delaware County, NY – ~44K population
  • Alexandria, VA – ~159K population
  • Rochester-Olmstead County, MN – ~166K population
  • Burlingame, CA – ~36K population
  • Sangamon County, IL – ~198K population
  • Montgomery County, TN – ~239K population
  • Shelby County, TN – ~910K population
  • Bartlett City, TN – ~57K population
  • Central County, MO – ~703K population
  • Paducah McCraken, KY – ~67K population
  • LakeComm, IL – ~709K population
  • St. Mary’s County, MD – ~113K population
  • Peoria, IL – ~125K population

Learn more about TMA’s ASAP service at https://asap911.org/.

 

Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.

Support Local NV Women in Need at ISC West

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Join the SIA Women in Security Forum and the broader security industry in supporting Dress for Success Southern Nevada, an organization that empowers women to build careers and achieve financial independence by providing job‑ready clients with professional interview and work attire.

You can help by donating gently used professional clothing, accessories, and unopened hygiene or makeup items at the SIA booth during ISC West.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact and open doors for women.

Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.

Shannon Handy Promoted to Site Manager of COPS Monitoring’s New Jersey Operations

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COPS Monitoring announced today the promotion of Shannon Handy to Site Manager of New Jersey Operations, recognizing her ten years of service, leadership growth, and continued commitment to operational excellence.

Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.Handy has spent her entire career at COPS Monitoring in the New Jersey monitoring center. She has progressed through multiple roles, including Dispatcher, Shift Supervisor, Shift Manager, Hiring Agent, and, most recently, Assistant Site Manager. Her advancement reflects a deep understanding of operations, a strong alignment with company culture, and a consistent willingness to take on greater responsibility.

In her new role, Handy is responsible for the growth and success of the New Jersey Operations Department. Her areas of focus include staffing, quality performance across response and customer service, and identifying and developing future leaders within the organization. She reports directly to the Vice President of Operations and oversees two Assistant Site Managers, an additional ten members of the New Jersey management team, and dozens of dispatchers. She will also lead initiatives focused on continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and overall output while maintaining the high service levels COPS is known for.

“Shannon has consistently demonstrated a tenacious approach to her work and a clear understanding of what excellence looks like in a professional monitoring environment,†said Jim McMullen, President and Chief Operating Officer. “She has grown into a strong operational leader, is highly respected across the organization, and has earned the trust of both her peers and the leadership team.â€

Handy’s leadership approach aligns closely with COPS Monitoring’s expectations as the company continues to pursue disciplined growth and ongoing performance improvement.

“I’ve grown my entire career here in New Jersey, and I take a lot of pride in the people and the work that happens every day in this operation,†said Handy. “My focus in this role is supporting our teams, maintaining the quality our customers expect, and helping to develop future leaders who care just as much about doing things right.â€

In conjunction with this announcement, Anthony Tabbita, an 18-year COPS veteran, has been appointed to the role of Assistant Site Manager in the New Jersey operation.

Osceola County, FL, Launches ASAP Service

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Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.Osceola County, located within the Orlando metropolitan area, announced that it is now live with Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) Service, a technology that automates alarm notifications and significantly reduces the burden on 911 telecommunicators in the county’s emergency communications center (ECC). This results in faster and more accurate emergency response.

In 2025, the ECC handled more than 12,000 alarm notifications. With the implementation of ASAP, the center is expected to save telecommunicators between 33 and 133 hours each month – time that can be redirected to higher-priority emergency calls. ASAP also reduces the potential for miscommunication between the ECC and alarm-monitoring centers by delivering more accurate information from the outset. Together, these improvements support improved telecommunicator performance — helping to reduce stress and burnout while enhancing public-safety outcomes.

“Our agency decided to implement ASAP Service to reduce the volume of alarm-related calls that must be handled manually by our telecommunicators,†said Christopher A. Blackmon, Osceola County Sheriff.

Typically, alarm notifications require multiple voice calls between ECC and alarm-monitoring center personnel to enable telecommunicators to capture the information needed to make dispatch decisions. Such exchanges add an average of six to eight minutes to response times. “Shifting alarm notifications to an automated system enables our telecommunicators to dedicate more of their time and attention to higher-priority emergency calls, ultimately improving overall operational efficiency and enhancing public safety within our community,†Blackmon said.

Osceola County joins a growing number of U.S. public-safety agencies that are leveraging ASAP. Mission Critical Partners (MCP) led the implementation effort, working closely with Osceola County to achieve deployment. Implementation was completed in partnership with Motorola, which has embedded the capability into the county’s computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system.

As of go-live, the following alarm-monitoring companies are transmitting alarm notifications via ASAP Service to Osceola County’s ECC: Rapid Response, Vector Security, Security Central, Guardian Protection, Tyco/JCI, Securitas, United Central Control, Quick Response, Everon/Protection One, Alert 360, National Monitoring Center, Affiliated Monitoring, Vivint, Brinks Home, and ADT.

Learn more about how TMA’s ASAP Service is saving lives every day nationwide at www.ASAP911.org.

NAPCO Security Technologies Appoints New Chief Revenue Officer

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Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSSC), a leading manufacturer of electronic security products, announced the creation of the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) role and the appointment of Joseph C. Pipczynski, Jr. to the position, effective January 20, 2026. Joe Pipczynski will report to Kevin Buchel, President and Chief Operating Officer. In addition, Stephen Spinelli, Senior Vice President of Sales, will report directly to Mr. Pipczynski.

As Chief Revenue Officer, Joe will be responsible for leading NAPCO’s global revenue strategy, with a focus on the Company’s core markets of security, commercial fire, access control, and locking solutions. He will play a fundamental role in advancing NAPCO’s growth initiatives, including the launch of its MVP® cloud-based access platform, as well as the new MVP-Ready™ NA-Series Access Panels and electronic networked wireless access locks from NAPCO’s Alarm Lock and Marks USA divisions.

Mr. Pipczynski is a New York–based executive with more than 40 years of domestic and international leadership experience across sales, business development, marketing, and global expansion within the commercial, security, and defense markets. He brings a strong track record of building strategic partnerships and accelerating revenue growth in technology-driven organizations.

“Joe’s experience and strategic leadership make him a valuable addition to NAPCO’s executive team,†said Kevin Buchel. “As we continue to expand our recurring revenue base and introduce next-generation access and locking solutions, his leadership will be instrumental in driving our long-term growth strategy.â€

Pipczynski holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Citadel and an MBA from Dowling College. Earlier in his career, he also played professional football in the National Football League with the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.

“I’m excited to join NAPCO at such an important time in its growth,†said Pipczynski. “The Company’s strong reputation for innovation positions it well for continued success. I look forward to executing on the corporate strategic plan, with a focus on expanding customer segments and business partnerships while further strengthening operations.†Feel free to reach out to Joe P. at NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc.  jpipczynski@napcosecurity.com

Telguard Celebrates 40th Anniversary

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Telguard, a leader in security and life-safety communications, proudly marks its 40th anniversary, celebrating four decades of innovation, reliability, and customer-first service.

Founded in 1986 by William De Nicolo, Telguard emerged from a simple but powerful idea: everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes with a truly secure home or business. At a time when landline-based alarm systems could be disabled with a single snip of wire, Telguard pioneered cellular communication technology to ensure uninterrupted protection.

Transforming an Industry
“When the business started, cellular communicators were just an option,” said George Brody, President of Telguard. “Today, they are the critical path for security and life-safety communications. Telguard helped lead that transformation.”

From early AMPS cellular technology to today’s advanced IP integrations, Telguard has consistently embraced change and driven progress. This commitment to innovation recently culminated in the launch of its patent-pending Multi-Carrier alarm communicators—the first of their kind in the industry. These devices automatically select the strongest available signal from the Big 3 (AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile) and switch carriers as needed, ensuring unmatched reliability.

Customer Service with a Personal Touch
Beyond technology, Telguard has built its reputation on exceptional customer support. “We want to hear firsthand what our customers need,” said Melody Parham, Director of Sales. “That personal connection is what sets us apart.” This dedication has earned Telguard numerous awards and the trust of dealers and installers nationwide.

A Culture of People and Longevity
Telguard’s success is powered by its people. Many team members have been with the company for decades, a testament to its culture of support, transparency, and growth. “Our people make the business,” Brody emphasized. “Great training, opportunity for advancement, and a collaborative environment keep our team strong.”

Looking Ahead
While celebrating 40 years is a milestone, Telguard remains focused on the future. “Wireless technology is always advancing, and staying at the forefront will continue to generate tremendous opportunities,” Brody said. “We’re committed to delivering innovative solutions for our dealers that keep people safe.”

Learn more at https://www.telguard.com.