Public Safety Organizations Sign Joint Letter Opposing NextNav Petition to the FCC

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The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) signed a joint letter to the FCC outlining their concerns that NextNav’s proposed PNT solutions could negatively affect existing incumbent operations essential to the preservation of life and safety.

The letter references the evidence from recent reports and studies, such as the engineering review submitted into the record by Pericle that highlights potential risks of NextNav’s proposal to critical life safety systems noting that these systems are prevalent throughout our country, especially in Americans’ homes and businesses. The letter states that the rule changes requested in the NextNav petition could have significant negative consequences for public safety.

The letter, dated November 13, 2025,  calls out key examples of devices that could be affected if NextNav’s proposals were allowed to proceed:

  • Man down systems/solutions. These devices and solutions help provide public safety agencies with the location of first responders and other pertinent life-safety data while on the scene of an incident. They are especially critical for public safety personnel, because they provide critical tracking data for first responders in unfamiliar settings.
  • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) systems. SCBA systems provide respiratory protection for first responders in hazardous environments, including fire and areas with toxic gas. These devices may incorporate connectivity features over the Lower 900 MHz band to monitor firefighter status, air supply levels, and environmental conditions. This enables remote monitoring of air cylinder pressures, automatic alerts if a wearer is in distress or immobile, and integration with incident management software for real-time safety oversight.
  • IoT wildfire sensing and wind profile radars. Connected cameras and sensors equipped with AI use the Lower 900 MHz band to detect environmental conditions conducive to wildfires and create wind predictions for wildfire mitigation. These systems provide early warning and situational awareness to inform public safety decision-making and resource deployment.
  • Preemption of traffic signals. These devices help emergency vehicles override typical traffic signal operations. They ensure that emergency vehicles have the right-of-way and can reach the incident scene in a quick and timely manner.
  • Automatic utility gas/electric shut off capabilities. When first responders encounter a scene where live electricity or a gas leak is present, often their first call is to utility companies. Remote shut-off systems operate on the Lower 900 MHz Band. If gas and electric companies cannot operate their remote shut off systems, first responders’ lives and safety could be at risk.
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: These detectors can be found in the homes of most American citizens. These devices alert people to unsafe levels of smoke or carbon monoxide present in residences or businesses, so that people can evacuate safely. These detectors are often connected directly to alarm companies to allow first responders to arrive on the scene more quickly.

Read the full letter.

Latest News on NextNav Petition to the FCC Focus of SIA Webinar, May 11th

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The lower 900 MHz band (902-928 MHz) is used by millions of Part 15 low-power, radio frequency security and life safety devices such as consumer electronics and appliances, wireless alarm systems, smart home equipment, electronic access control devices and others essential for protecting homes, small businesses and critical infrastructure. A monopolistic proposal from a single company before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeks to reallocate portions of this band of spectrum for an exclusive license and remove an FCC rule that has protected Part 15 devices from harmful interference and preserved this ecosystem for decades. The Security Industry Association (SIA) and numerous other public safety organizations are opposing this proposal and are fighting it on Capitol Hill.

Join this webinar presented by SIA to learn about the proposal, get an update on where our advocacy efforts stand and discuss the impacts on the security industry devices that communicate in the spectrum.

Panelists will share:

  • An overview of the petition and where it stands today
  • A look at our technical analysis of how this will impact devices in the band
  • A snapshot of SIA’s advocacy on the issue
  • What you can do to help protect this band for security products and services

Speakers:

Jake Parker, senior director of government relations, SIA

Lauren Bresette, senior manager of government relations, SIA

Date: May 11, 2026, 1:00 PM/ET

REGISTER 

 

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/.

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.

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.

Newman Joins TMA as New Director of Strategic Growth & Membership

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Enter TMA's 2026 Awards with a deadline of April 3, 2026.The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the addition of Evan Newman to its team as Director of Strategic Growth & Membership. In this newly created role, Newman will lead strategic efforts to grow, engage, and retain TMA’s membership, bringing more than 10 years of membership and marketing experience to further support the association’s growth and commitment to the monitoring and security industry. Today is Newman’s first day at TMA.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to step into this new role with TMA. Throughout my association career, I’ve learned that a rising tide lifts all ships,†stated Newman. “TMA’s strategic focus on growth is what drew me to this role, and I look forward to collaborating with current and future members, as well as industry stakeholders, to drive sustainable growth that strengthens the association’s long-term impact on the industry.â€

“Evan joins our team at a pivotal moment for the association,†commented TMA CEO Whitney A. Doll. “His strong foundation and demonstrated leadership in organizational growth and member engagement position us well as we build momentum and expand our impact in the months and years ahead.â€

In addition to leading TMA’s membership growth, Newman will also focus on advancing the organization’s programs and revenue initiatives inclusive of the promotion and sales of member programs, services, and sponsorship opportunities. He will also represent TMA at industry events to expand partnerships and visibility.

Newman brings more than 10 years of progressive experience in association membership and business marketing to his position at TMA. Most recently, Newman served as senior manager of membership at the Snow and Ice Management Association where he led membership marketing and strategic planning and oversaw the recruitment of new members and education prospects. Before that, he worked at Practice Greenhealth and the Ohio Trucking Association. Mr. Newman earned his Bachelor of Science, Communication Studies & Marketing from West Liberty University and his Master of Business Administration, Project Management from Louisiana State University at Shreveport.

Newman can be contacted by email at enewman@tma.us or by phone at (703) 660-4918.

TMA Mourns the Passing of Past President Bob Bean

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TMA learned of the passing of it much beloved Past President Robert Bean on Friday, November 21st. He leaves a lasting legacy as a business leader whose generosity uplifted colleagues, inspired innovation, and opened doors for others. His unwavering commitment to serving his community reflects a life defined not just by success, but by the positive impact he made on everyone around him.

In presenting Bob with one of TMA’s highest honors, the Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award, in 2021, then President Don Young, commented, “Two words that epitomized Stan Lott’s character are integrity and dedication. These words, likewise, can be attributed to this year’s award winner today. As chair of the Membership Committee, the award winner was a driving force to increase TMA membership, including international members. Countless hours were devoted to TMA’s interests in ESX, which served as TMA’s Mid-year Meeting for a number of years. He is truly all that Stanley Lott represented.”

In accepting his award via Zoom, Bean, full of emotion, remarked, “I am humbled. This is the highest honor that TMA can bestow on any member. Putting me in the category along with the other previous honorees is definitely humbling. I thank TMA very much for this great award.”

Bean sponsored the TMA board dinner for many years, first through his company and in later years personally. During his tenure as TMA President, he purchased a home in New Jersey so he could be closer to TMA staff in Virginia.

Additional information will be shared here as it becomes available.