TMA Members Exhibit at ISC West, Las Vegas

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Attending ISC West this year? If so, check out the list if TMA members below who will be exhibiting. If you’re exhibiting and you’d like to share additional details, please email communications@tma.us.

ADT Commercial
Booth: 20007
Schedule a Meeting
Featured Workshop: Active Shooter and Stop the Bleed Workshop, March 28th at 1:00pm

Bosch
Booth: 11053
Visit the all-new Bosch booth at ISC West to experience Bosch’s latest offerings in intrusion detection and access control. For more information, visit the ISC West booth or www.boschbuildingtechnologies.com

ADI
Booth: 12043

AES Corporation
Booth: 6034

Affiliated Monitoring
Booth: 23051

Alarm.com
Booth: 16039

Alarm Monitoring Services
Booth: 1064

Altronix
Booth: 11073

Alula
Booth: 26109

AvantGuard Monitoring
Booth: 10109

Axis Communications
Booth: 14051

Bold Group
Booth: 20109

Brinks Home
Booth: 23045

Calipsa
Booth: 13062

COPS Monitoring
Booth: 17059

Digital Monitoring Products (DMP)
Booth: 23089

Edgeworth Security
Booth: 23003

Emergency24
Booth: 6039

Evolon Technology
Booth: 4050

Eyeforce, Inc.
Booth: 1102

Honeywell International
Booth: 8037

IronYun
Booth: 17121

Johnson Controls
Booth: 18033

Louroe Electronics
Booth: 8038

MicroKey Solutions
Booth: 23003

NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc.
Booth: 12031

OpenEye
Booth: 22031

Rapid Response Monitoring
Booth: 21089

Resideo
Booth: 10047

SD Marketing
Booth: 1104

Sonitrol
Booth: 22075

Speco Technologies
Booth: 20019

Telguard
Booth: 24101

USA Central Station Alarm Corp.
Booth: 8042

2023 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards Finalists Announced

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2023 Excellence Awards. This year, the awards competition received a total 36 entries across five categories. Listed in alphabetical order by company within each category, the finalists are:

Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise

  1. ADT
  2. COPS Monitoring
  3. CPI Security

Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB

  1. Central Monitoring & Dispatch, Inc.
  2. Habitec Security
  3. Statewide Central Station

Monitoring Center Manager of the Year

  1. John Turner, ADT
  2. Larry Esposito, Affiliated Monitoring
  3. Alexandria Keen, EPS Security
  4. Tracy Ehrsam, Habitec Security
  5. Fiore Ayala, Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc.

Monitoring Center Operator of the Year

  1. Samantha Marzilli, COPS Monitoring
  2. Jennifer Labrecque, Habitec Security
  3. Loretta Grubb, TELUS Smart Home

Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year

  1. Jamie Mashike, ADT
  2. Michael Bolton, Holmes Security Systems
  3. Brian De Carlo, Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc.

“We were pleased to welcome some new companies to this year’s competition,” remarked TMA President Morgan Hertel. “I was impressed to see how TMA members are evolving and expanding their businesses in new directions and positioning their teams for greater success. By embracing new technologies and innovating new services, businesses are increasing efficiencies and raising the bar on customer service. It’s a time for great opportunity for our industry.”

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 the winners later this summer. Entries are judged by a volunteer judging panel appointed by TMA. The five winners will be announced at a virtual award ceremony presented on April 17, 2023 at 4:00 pm ET. For past winners and more information, visit https://tma.us/events/awards/excellence-awards/.

Finalists for 2023 TMA/SSI Monitoring Technology “Marvel” Award Announced

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) and Security Sales & Integration (SSI) announced the finalists for the TMA/SSI 2023 Monitoring Technology “Marvel” Award. They are:

  • Edgeworth Security
  • National Monitoring Center
  • Statewide Central Station

This 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. “The monitoring industry is experiencing exponential shifts as new technology emerges,” said TMA Technology Committee Co-Chair Sascha Kylau, OneTel Security. “Our goal with this award is to bring those monitoring centers and their partners who are demonstrating how new technologies are allowing security monitoring providers to reach new levels of efficiency and service. It’s exciting to see the evolution first hand.”

The Marvel will be presented to one overall winner for the “best adoption of new technology to advance your business.” Submission categories included:

  • Best implementation of video verification
  • Best implementation of PERS monitoring
  • Best technology to build efficiency in monitoring
  • Best cybersecurity
  • Best new business model
  • Best migration to the cloud

The TMA/SSI 2023 Marvel Technology Award will be presented on April 17th in a virtual awards ceremony. The winner will be featured in the August 2023 Monitoring Issue of SSI. Runners-up will also receive coverage in the issue.

WA and VA ECCs Go Live with TMA’s ASAP Service

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TMA welcomes its 121st and 122nd ECCs to its ASAP-to-PSAP service – the Snohomish County WA 911 (Sno911) in Washington and the New River Valley Emergency Communications Regional Authority (NRV 911 Authority) in Virginia.

Snohomish County WA  #121

The Snohomish County WA 911 (Sno911) is the 121st ECC in the United States and the 5th agency in the state of Washington to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  The Snohomish County ECC went live January 31st, 2023, with: Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Security Central, Guardian Protection, Securitas, United Central Control, National Monitoring Center, Johnson Controls (Tyco), Affiliated Monitoring, Protection One, Brinks, Stanley Security, Vivint and ADT.

Andie Burton, Director of Operations, Snohomish County said, “The installation of the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol program into our system will streamline and increase efficiency of processing various alarm calls for service.  Use of the program will also free up call takers to answer other incoming 9-1-1 calls.  In a large Emergency Communications Center environment, preserving these precious resources will help provide better service to our community.”

New River Valley (Montgomery County) VA  #122

The New River Valley Emergency Communications Regional Authority (NRV 911 Authority) is the 122nd ECC in the United States and the 22nd agency in the state of Virginia to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  The NRV 911 Authority went live February 27, 2023 with: Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Stanley Security, Securitas, Protection One, United Central Controls, National Monitoring Center, Guardian Protection, Affiliated Monitoring, Brinks Home Security, Vivint, Security Central, CPI Security, Johnson Controls (Tyco) and ADT.

Learn more about ASAP-to-PSAP service HERE.

TMA to Host Automation Summit, 3/28 in Las Vegas

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Please join TMA in a meeting with the industry automation vendors to discuss TMA-AVS-01 implementation on March 28th, 3:30-5:00pm in Las Vegas, NV (see complete details below). For those unable to join us in-person, TMA is exploring a virtual alternative.

The meeting goals are:

  • To introduce the five levels of alarm metrics as defined in the standard;
  • To explore the use of different types of external data used to determine levels, using presence detection or other platforms like customer video, apps, SMS, etc.;
  • To gain an understanding as to when to calculate the score;
  • To discuss compliance, reporting, self-evaluations, etc.; and,
  • To review how to send a standardized CAD update message with the priority levels in it while the ASAP-to-PSAP 2021 edition is being implemented.

There will also be time reserved for Q&A.

DATE/TIME: March 28th, 3:30-5:00pm

LOCATION:
Keep Memory Alive Event Center
888 W Bonneville Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89106

Please RSVP at https://tma.us/events/automation-vendor-meeting/

The Monitoring Association Appoints New Government Relations Committee Chair

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of James Marcella to the chairmanship of its Government Relations Committee. In this important role, Marcella will lead TMA’s state and local advocacy efforts and often partner with the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) on legislative initiatives. A longtime TMA member and volunteer contributor, Marcella is currently the director, Industry Associations, for Massachusetts-based Axis Communications.

“James has been a valued member and volunteer within the TMA community for more than a decade. He possesses quite a broad spectrum of knowledge relative to security industry technology, best practices, and business trends, which make him ideally suited for this important role within TMA,” stated Morgan Hertel, president, TMA. “His unique insights into key legislative issues impacting security industry businesses, as well as the state and local legislative process, are especially valuable to the TMA community at this time.”

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

TMA Welcomes Zeus Fire and Security CEO to its Board of Directors

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Scott R. Elkins, CEO, Zeus Fire and Security, to its Board of Directors. An accomplished and highly respected security industry executive, Elkins was appointed by TMA President Morgan Hertel to fill in a vacancy in the Board of Directors.

TMA President Morgan Hertel shared, “Scott brings more than three decades of security industry knowledge and experience to his new role within TMA. He is a passionate leader and is deeply committed to excellence in all aspects of his work. His unique insights to business and technology will assuredly be an asset to our Board and to our membership community as we evolve to meet the changing landscape of our industry.”

“It is an honor to be appointed to the TMA Board of Directors.  I have dedicated my entire professional career to this industry and TMA has been an invaluable resource to me and companies along the way. Every industry needs a strong governing association, and we are so fortunate to have TMA serve that role for the Monitoring Industry,” stated Elkins. “The opportunity to give back is appreciated and one I do not take lightly.  It is a privilege to serve with so many dedicated industry professionals, many of whom who have been long-term friends and colleagues.  I believe that TMA’s best days are ahead of it as we continue to support this amazing industry in these new, challenging, and exciting times.”

TMA Welcomes Dynamark Monitoring to its ASAP-to-PSAP Service

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) welcomed Dynamark Monitoring, Inc. to its growing list of ASAP-to-PSAP connected monitoring centers – bringing the total number to 29. 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)/PSAPs.

“Dynamark Monitoring, Inc. is thrilled to go live with TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP service. The journey, while long, has proven well worth the effort. All our processing times have been reduced, which allows our team to provide quicker and more accurate emergency response to our customers. We look forward to adding more locations with our goal to be online with every city across the nation where ASAP-to-PSAP is available. Many thanks to the TMA staff, Bill Hobgood, and our own Donia Cook for their hard work,” said J. Keith Godsey, COO, Dynamark Monitoring, Inc.

Pam Petrow, chair, TMA ASAP-to-PSAP Committee, remarked, “With the addition of new companies like Dynamark Monitoring, Inc. that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the protection of life and property, our list of ASAP-to-PSAP connected monitoring centers continues to grow. In tandem, TMA’s ability to offer this leading-edge service across the U.S. expands as well.”

Based in Hagerstown, MD, Dynamark Monitoring, Inc. is a UL, FM, TMA Five Diamond Monitoring Center serving over 1,000 dealers throughout the U.S. Its technologically advanced platform, which includes its award-winning Instant Connect Response Platform, enables the company to exceed established industry standards in alarm delivery speed and reliability when seconds count.

Learn more about TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP service at www.tma.us/asap/.

TMA-AVS-01 Alarm Validation Standard Receives ANSI Accreditation

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) Standards Committee has received confirmation that its TMA-AVS-01 Alarm Validation Standard has received official ANSI accreditation. Initiated in 2020, the standard provides a method of creating an alarm scoring or classification metric for unauthorized human activity detected by alarm systems. The alarm scoring will assist law enforcement with resource allocation and Call-for-Service prioritization. The standard is available for download at  https://tma.us/standards/tma-avs-01-alarm-validation-standard/.

“I am extremely proud of the Committee’s work to bring this game-changing standard to completion. My sincere thanks to those in the security industry and the public safety community who participated in this collaboration,” TMA-AVS-01 Committee Chair Mark McCall commented. “Now begins the equally important work of implementing this standard into both communities, bringing significant benefits to both and to our mutual customers.”

The TMA-AVS-01 Standard Committee was composed of more than 60 participants, representing diverse stakeholders, such as professionals from the security industry, law enforcement, and public safety.

TMA’s President Morgan Hertel observed the significant impact of the new standard on the security industry. “It’s been almost four years since its inception, which includes two years of actual work on this standard. We have finally reached the point where it’s ready to launch. This is the biggest change in the intrusion industry since the release of the digital dialer.”

TMA-AVS-01 establishes standardized methods for calculating an alarm score, or classification level, that results in a repeatable metric that estimates the validity or potential threat level of an intrusion alarm activation using historical and real-time data.

Once completed and implemented, Call-for-Service to Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs)/Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) will include a standardized scoring metric that will assist public safety departments with their alarm response policies.

The standard identified four alarm Levels:

  • Alarm Level 0 – No Call for Service
  • Alarm Level 1 – Call for Service with limited to no additional information
  • Alarm Level 2 – Call for Service with confirmed or ‘highly probable’ human presence with unknown intent
  • Alarm Level 3 – Call for Service with confirmed threat to property
  • Alarm Level 4 – Call for Service with confirmed threat to life

David Holl, director of Public Safety, Lower Allen Township Department of Public Safety (PA), and one of the TMA-AVS-01 Committee co-chairs, remarked “ECCs/PSAPs are the leading-edge in processing citizen calls for service and communicating active alarm event data to law enforcement responders. TMA-AVS-01 will shift the paradigm and provide enhanced strategic information to greatly improve officer response logistics, officer safety, and impact more efficient and effective alarm call management. The development and evolution of this scoring standard has been an impressive collaborative effort of the alarm industry community and public safety professionals. It will change the way we all manage and respond to alarm events.”

“AVS-01 changes everything. The security industry now has a unified method for security alarm reporting, as well as a new level of partnership with public safety. This standard was only possible with the exchange of ideas, experiences, sometimes robust dialogue, and commitment of public safety and the security alarm industry. I am so very proud of this standard and cannot wait to see the results for our communities and customers. Specifically, a priority response can now be requested based on corroborating information. AVS-01 provides better information to public safety helping them prioritize their resources and save lives,” stated TMA-AVS-01 Committee Co-Chair Larry Folsom.

TMA is in the process of developing targeted online training for monitoring center personnel, law enforcement, and ECC/PSAP staff. Additionally, discussions with monitoring center software and automation providers have been initiated to provide for necessary updates in line with the standard’s validation and scoring classification.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Bryan Ginn at bginn@tma.us.

New York Governor signs Fair Repair Act, with amendments to protect most alarm devices and services

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At year end, New York Governor Hochul signed the Fair Repair Act into law, making it easier for consumers to repair their own electronic devices.  Fortunately, in response to concerns raised by AICC and members of the alarm industry, the Governor simultaneously enacted amendments to the Act to help prevent the compromise of alarm systems in a way that would endanger customers and the public.

The original version of the Act (S. 4104-A) would have required manufacturers of “digital electronic equipment”, including alarm systems, to make product manuals, repair tools, lockout codes, passwords, system design schematics and other information available to customers and third-party contractors, so that they can attempt repairs on their own.  Both houses of the New York legislature passed the bill in June 2022.  Before the bill was forwarded to the Governor for signing, AICC and members of the alarm industry weighed in with a request asking for chapter amendments to the Act, so as to exempt central station alarm operations from the disclosure requirements in the bill.  AICC pointed out that if access codes, passwords, or alarm system schematics are provided to customers or their contractors, and then either hacked or innocently made public (e.g., as part of a You Tube self-help video), it could allow bad actors to disable alarm systems, endangering tens or hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.

The Governor’s amendment to the Fair Repair Act was responsive to alarm industry concerns in multiple ways:

  • Creation of a specific exemption for “home” security devices and alarm systems;
  • Creation of a specific exemption for equipment sold under a specific business-to-government or business-to-business contract, which is not otherwise offered for sale directly by a retail seller;
  • Deletion of the requirement for any alarm manufacturer or provider to disclose security codes and passwords for alarm equipment under any circumstance;
  • Creation of an exemption for “medical devices” which should be broad enough to cover many security/medical monitoring pendants (to the extent that these devices are not already protected by the “home” alarm exemption discussed above);
  • Grandfathering of pre-July 1, 2023 equipment, narrowing the scope of the new disclosure requirements and giving the alarm industry time to prepare for the new law (to the extent any devices don’t qualify for one of the above exemptions).
  • Creation of an exemption for certain anti-theft security measures;
  • Allowing the provision of replacement part assemblies rather than individual components.
  • Protecting alarm and other manufacturers from having to disclose trade secrets or intellectual property.

Provided courtesy of AICC.