TMA Board of Director Caroline Brown, a North Carolina resident, shared information on two charities assisting communities in North Carolina that have been impacted.
Please consider making a donation.
https://givingtuesday.mightycause.com/event/Supportbannerelk
The Tennessee Public Utility Commission issued a news release about the new 729 area code that will overlay the existing 423 area code in eastern Tennessee earlier this year. Please be aware of the key dates for the overlay implementation:
Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, time dedicated for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.
Over the years it has grown into a collaborative effort between government and industry to enhance cybersecurity awareness, encourage actions by the public to reduce online risk, and generate discussion on cyber threats on a national and global scale. October 2024 marks the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Find free resources to support Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities on CISA’s website.
Download CISA’s Resources & Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 Toolkit
Register to attend:
Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity
A TMA VPR hosted by OneTel Security
Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Each year, TMA hosts a fundraiser to benefit a local charitable organization in conjunction with the TMA Annual Meeting. This year’s beneficiary is The WASH Foundation, an organization what aims to improve the quality of life of vulnerable populations through increased access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). To accomplish its mission, The WASH Foundation works with partners to strengthen policies, governance, systems, infrastructure, financing, and health-seeking behaviors while empowering women and underserved communities. To date, we have helped serve over 15 million people in need globally.
To learn more about the work of The WASH Foundation, visit https://thewashfoundation.org/
To donate, scan this QR code, or visit the website. Important! If you donate on the website or use the QR code, select the amount that you would like to donate and complete your information. In the “Leave a Comment” section, add: TMA
All who donate are entered into a raffle for prizes! A drawing will be done on Wed., October 7th in the afternoon. You do not need to be present to win.
The fall issue of the TMA Dispatch is now available! Login to the TMA member portal to read.
Our Cover Story…With the increasing demand for advanced and scalable video monitoring solutions, the debate between Edge AI and Cloud AI has gained significant attention. Traditionally, edge devices focused on on-premises storage and video management. Members of TMA’s Technology Committee came together and drew upon their collective expertise to construct this issue’s cover story, the first of a three-part series, to help TMA members navigate the complexities of these technologies and make informed decisions when it comes to AI technology and its application.
In our Guest Column…Stephen Devine, Chief Technology Officer, APCO International, explores the decade-long discussion on the topic of NG9-1-1. In this column, he writes about the key benefits and make the case for the “comprehensively interoperable and an end-to-end solution.”
In Technology…Cyber-attacks – you hear about them…you read about them nearly every day. Is your company of the many that remain unprepared? TMA Technology Co-Chair Matt Narowski takes on this HOT topic. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it can’t be you.
In Research…The sale of smart smoke/CO detectors is booming! According to Parks Associates, 9-10% of U.S, Internet households own a smart smoke/CO detector and more than half of smoke/CO detector owners pay for a service. Parks Associates VP Jennifer Kent explores the latest trend.
In the GSOC Column…It’s important to put your best foot forward when hiring and onboarding a new team member. Training is critical. GSOC TMA GSOC Council Co-Chair Randy Rickert shares what every GSOC training program should have.
Read these and more in the latest issue the TMA Dispatch now!
Starting October 1, 2024, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) will only dispatch officers to calls from alarm companies with supporting evidence, such as audio, video, panic alarms or eyewitness evidence that a person is illegally entering or attempting to enter a residence or commercial property. SPD will no longer respond to calls from alarm companies based only on sensor or motion activations. With depleted resources we cannot prioritize a patrol response when there is a very low probability that criminal activity is taking place.
Read the full announcement HERE.
Q&A With Keynote Kevin Surace
QUESTION #1: In your keynote, “Harnessing AI: Unlocking New Possibilities for You and Your Business,” you’ll discuss how AI is reshaping industries. Without giving too much away, what are some of the most exciting practical applications of AI that businesses should be aware of right now?
From marketing to sales to customer support…AI changes everything. Create a year’s worth of interesting blog posts in a day. Train sales people with AI as the trainer. LLM backed chatbots can handle 90% or queries without human intervention. And much more.
QUESTION #2: You emphasize that it’s important for industry leaders to embrace AI as a tool for innovation and growth. What mindset shifts or strategies do you believe are crucial for leaders to successfully integrate AI into their organizations?
Trust is important and doesn’t come quickly. Productivity gain improvement is the gold standard to measure AI results.
QUESTION #3: As AI continues to evolve, how can organizations prepare their teams for these changes?
Educate and train. Try many technologies. Most won’t help you but the ones that do can be game changers.
Broward County in Florida became the 147th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 12th ECC in the state of Florida to implement TMA’s Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).
Broward County went live the week of August 12, 2024 with the following alarm companies: Rapid Response Monitoring, ADT, Affiliated Monitoring, Alert 360, Brinks Home Security Protection, Doyle, Dynamark, Guardian Protection, National Monitoring Center, Protection One/Everon, Quick Response, Security Central, Securitas (Stanley Division), Tyco (Johnson Controls), United Central Control, Vector Security, and Vivint.
Learn more about ASAP HERE
View the agency’s press release HERE
TMA is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative created by the Membership Committee – introducing the Member Ambassador Program!
The Member Ambassador Program is designed to foster a welcoming and engaging environment for new TMA members. By participating in this program, volunteer ambassadors will play a crucial role in helping new members integrate into the association, maximize their membership benefits, and develop meaningful professional relationships.
Each ambassador is asked to commit to welcoming up to two new members, more if desired. The commitment includes:
Our goal is to match new members with those of similar categories; ambassadors are particularly needed from monitoring member companies.
By implementing the Member Ambassador Program, TMA aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment to help new members thrive and fully benefit from membership. Our goal is to increase both member engagement and first year member retention.
Interested in volunteering? Please contact Illeny Maaza, TMA Director of Membership and Programs at membership@tma.us.
The city of Tacoma, Washington, Department of Tax and License reached out to TMA and SIAC in an effort to raise awareness of their efforts to reduce false alarms in their jurisdiction. If your company monitors accounts in Tacoma, here are their goals:
For more information, please contact:
Jasmin Flores
Business Systems Analyst
City of Tacoma | Finance Department | Tax & License
747 Market Street, Room 212, Tacoma, WA 98402
Email: JFlores1@cityoftacoma.org
