The latest news on TMA’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Maui

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We have received several inquiries in recent days as to the state of our 2023 Annual Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on the island of Maui, Nov. 4-8th. With all communications down in the area, we have not been able to connect with our contacts at the Ritz Carlton, Kapalua, our host hotel. We have reached out to the Ritz Carlton main offices and requested any information that is available but have yet to receive a reply. Therefore, we have not made any decisions at this point.

As you can imagine, we remain in a holding pattern as of today. Once we receive word from the Ritz Carlton, the Board of Directors and staff will evaluate our options and decide how to best proceed based on the information provided to us.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will keep you informed as to the status of the host hotel, its property, and the surrounding areas as we learn more in the coming days and weeks.

Until then, please keep the people of Maui in your prayers.

As in years past, TMA will select a local charity for Annual Meeting attendees to support. The names of those who donate are entered into a raffle for a prize. We are currently researching local Maui charities for this year.

Considering the urgent and overwhelming need for aid in Maui today, we have identified several organizations that you may consider donating to prior to the meeting below.

DGA Mourns the Loss of VP Craig Dacher

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We learned yesterday of the passing of TMA member Craig Dacher, Vice President, DGA. He passed unexpectedly at his home on August 13th. Craig joined DGA in 1983 and was an essential contributor to DGA’s success over the last 40 years. He leaves an indelible mark on both the business and its employees.

A warm and deeply caring person, Craig made it a point to know each DGA employee and took sincere interest in their personal lives and authentic pride in their professional growth. His personal friendships with employees, customers, vendors, and members of the broader security industry span decades and his loss will be felt by many.

Raised in New York City, his warm smile and zest for life was evident to everyone he met. Craig’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his loving wife Lori, who he met while she also worked at DGA, and two sons, Richard and Matthew.

Fourth Maryland ECC Goes Live with TMA’s Automated Secure Alarm Protocol

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The Queen Anne’s County MD Emergency Services is the 131st Emergency Communications Center (ECCs) in the United States to implement The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s ASAP service is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls for service from alarm monitoring centers to Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs).

Queen Anne’s County ECC is the 4th ECC in the state of Maryland to implement ASAP. The Center went live the week of July 17, 2023 with: Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Johnson Controls, Securitas (Stanley Div), Securitas, CPI, Security Central, Brinks Home Security, United Central Control, Protection One, National Monitoring Center, Vivint, Affiliated Monitoring, Guardian Protection and ADT.

Learn more about TMA’s ASAP at www.tma.us/asap/.

TMA Louis T. Fiore Electronic Communications Scholarship Now Open for 2023-2024 Student Application

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce that the application period for the inaugural Louis T. Fiore Electronic Communications Scholarship is now open. The Scholarship is open to anyone studying an electronics curriculum, specifically electronic communications, or software development related to electronic communications, regardless of financial need. Students seeking such a degree in electrical engineering or an associate degree in electronics at any nationally accredited educational institution may apply. Established in 2022, the scholarship honors Mr. Fiore’s enduring contribution to the alarm industry and the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) and is intended to promote careers in electronic communications. The application deadline is Sept. 15th.

“We are honored and thrilled to recognize Lou’s immeasurable contributions to the monitoring industry with the presentation of this Scholarship,” stated TMA President Morgan Hertel. “Our goal is to present this Scholarship to a student who embodies Lou’s own passion for electronic communications and drive for professional excellence.”

The winner will be selected by a panel of TMA leaders and members, including its namesake, Lou Fiore. The announcement and presentation of the Scholarship will be made at TMA’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Maui, HI in early November.

For more information on this scholarship and application, go to https://tma.us/louis-t-fiore-electronic-communications-scholarship/

 

Monroe Joins The Monitoring Association Team

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the addition of program management professional Ms. Karen Monroe to its team. In her new role as TMA Program and Administrative Coordinator, Monroe will be responsible for TMA’s Five Diamond, IQ, and FirstNet designation programs. Having previously managed customer accounts across the United States in the real estate sector as a title clearer, she brings a broad and diverse range of experience to the position.

“Karen brings a lot of passion and energy to this position, which an integral role on our team,” stated Celia T. Besore, CEO, TMA. “As monitoring centers continue to adopt our designations and new TMA programs are introduced, the combination of Karen’s experience, knowledge, and abilities will further enhance the quality and professionalism of all TMA offerings.”

“I am excited to be part of the TMA team,” shared Monroe, “As I learn more and more about TMA members and their dedication to saving lives, I find my own level of commitment to their businesses increasing. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of TMA member companies through the delivery of programs, education, and resources.”

Bell County, TX and Crawford County PA Go Live with TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP

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TMA is pleased to announce the addition of two new Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) to its Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP-to-PSAP) service network.

Bell County TX  #129

The Bell County TX Communications Center became the 129th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 15th ECC in the state of Texas to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  Bell County went live the week of June 13, 2023, with: Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Vivint, DynaMark Monitoring, Security Central, Securitas (Stanley Div), Tyco (Johnson Controls), United Central Control, Protection One, Affiliated Monitoring, Securitas, Brinks Home Security, National Monitoring Center, Alert 360, and Guardian Protection. ADT is planning to go-live in the next few weeks.

Crawford County Department of Public Safety PA #130

The Crawford county Department of Public Safety became the 130th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 7th ECC in the state of Pennsylvania to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  The Crawford County ECC went live the week of June 19, 2023, with: Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Johnson Controls, Securitas (Stanley Div), Securitas, Quick Response, Doyle Security, Dynamark Monitoring, United Central Control, Protection One, National Monitoring Center, Vivint, Brinks Home Security, Guardian Protection, Affiliated Monitoring and ADT.

Learn more about the ASAP-to-PSAP service HERE.

 

The Monitoring Association Appoints New Government Relations Committee Co-Chair

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tommy Whisnant to the co-chairmanship of its Government Relations Committee. In this important role, Whisnant will join seated Committee Co-Chair James Marcella, Axis Communications, in leading TMA’s state and local advocacy efforts and often partnering with the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) on legislative initiatives. Whisnant is currently the compliance manager for North Carolina-based CPI Security.

“I am honored to have been selected to represent TMA and the Government Relations Committee as Co-Chair. I am looking forward to working with the great people on this Committee and this amazing Association,” stated Whisnant. “Our industry is constantly changing, and we are seeing an extreme amount of traffic with proposed law changes. The Committee is committed to bringing visibility, representing the members of TMA and making decisions based on the best interest of our membership.”

TMA President Morgan Hertel commented, “Tommy is a consummate professional whose combined knowledge and experience will be a valued asset to TMA and its members in this new volunteer leadership role. In a time when our industry is facing some significant legislative and regulatory issues, I am confident in the leadership and insights that James and Tommy bring to TMA’s Government Relations Committee.”

Learn more about TMA’s Government Relations Committee online at https://tma.us/about/our-committees/#toggle-id-11.

Something really big is coming!

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Keep watching…

Team TMA
Celia, Julie, Illeny, Leigh, Keely, Bryan, and Tara

SIAC Recognizes Ron Walters for His Contribution to Our Industry

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TMA learned of the passing of Ron Walters, a highly respected and much beloved contributor to the security industry. The following is a reprint of a press release distributed by SIAC.

Frisco, Texas (April 30, 2018) – Ronald “Ron” Walters has retired as director of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) after a stellar career that included work in law enforcement, corporate security, an alarm company owner and director of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition.

“Ron’s leadership role in our industry helped lay the foundation for creating SIAC. He would fly to a city on a moment’s notice and meet with adversarial city council members to convey our factual information,” said Stan Martin, SIAC executive director. “He was very effective and everyone in our industry has benefited from his groundbreaking work with dealer education and standards development related to alarm management.”

Walters gained prominence through his work on a number of industry issues. Among them was his role in the Model States Program in 1997. Walters was selected to coordinate data collection in the state of Florida, working with more than 30 police departments to study the causes and potential solutions of false alarm dispatches. The results were combined with information from three additional states ending with the publication and distribution of the Model States Report in 1998, a document that still influences the industry today. He also contributed to the Coordinated Alarm Reduction Effort (CARE) led by the NBFAA and IACP from 1999-2003.

In 2004, Walters received the prestigious William N. Moody award that acknowledges individuals “who unselfishly give of their time and talents to alarm management issues and who reflect the attributes of Bill Moody which include integrity, fairness and perseverance in the face of adversity.” Very unique qualities in honor of a very special person indeed.

“It has been a real privilege to work with my colleagues at SIAC as well as leaders in law enforcement and elected officials throughout the country,” said Walters. “Our industry would be in a much different place today if we had not come together with law enforcement to develop real solutions to the false alarm issues while maintaining police response to alarms.

“I think we all know that the fight isn’t over and that there are still individuals who unfairly attack our industry and try to undermine its ability to protect citizens and property,” he said. “We must continue to be vigilant and support SIAC’s efforts, or we will continue to face misguided legislation that can have a severe impact in our industry.”

“It has been a real privilege to work with Ron,” said Martin. “I know his family will enjoy spending more time with him, and Ron can enjoy some downtime from a long and successful career.”

“When I walked into the Miami Police Academy in 1968 I never dreamed I would spend the next 50 years working every day to keep people safe,” said Walters. “Here I am at the end of two decades of working for our industry and for alarm users everywhere. In that capacity I have traveled well over a million miles, visited virtually every state, made hundreds of presentations and most important met thousands of some of the best people in the world. Thank you all for the many great memories.”