New CA 738 Area Code Coming 11/1/24

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The new 738 area code will overlay the existing 213 and 323 area codes in the Los Angeles area so that all three area codes serve the same geographic region. The new 738 area code that becomes effective on November 1, 2024.

Mandatory 1+10-digit dialing is already required in the 213 and 323 area codes and will be required in the new 738 area code as well.

For additional information, contact:

CA 213/323/738 overlay implementation committee co-chairs
Dana Crandall (Verizon), dana.crandall@verizonwireless.com, 682-831-3662
Javier Rodriguez (AT&T), jr1515@att.com, 512-457-2260

 

TMA Welcomes New GSOC Council Co-Chair

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Randy Rickert to the co-chairmanship of its Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) Council. In this important role, Rickert joins seated Committee Co-Chair Richard Flores, Puget Sound, in leading TMA’s Rickert is currently the Manager, Global Security Operations, Corporate Security & Business Resilience for Thrivent Financial.

“My organization has been a TMA member for 20 years. In that time, we’ve found TMA’s standards and education to be exceptionally valuable,” stated Rickert. “This new volunteer role within TMA affords me a unique opportunity to give back to our community and industry. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with my GSOC peers in this new role.”

TMA CEO Celia T. Besore commented, “It is a great pleasure to welcome Randy to this pivotal position within the TMA committee structure. As TMA looks to grow and expand its GSOC membership, Randy’s passion and commitment to learning and industry standards will be a great asset not only to the GSOC Council, but to the overall TMA membership body.”

Learn more about TMA’s GSOC Council online at http://tma.us/about/our-committees/#toggle-id-10.

FCC Makes AI-generated Voices in Robocalls Illegal

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Published by SIW.com, 2/8/24

Today the Federal Communications Commission announced the unanimous adoption of a Declaratory Ruling that recognizes calls made with AI-generated voices are “artificial” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

The ruling, which takes effect immediately, makes voice cloning technology used in common robocall scams targeting consumers illegal.  This would give State Attorneys General across the country new tools to go after bad actors behind these nefarious robocalls.

“Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters.  We’re putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “State Attorneys General will now have new tools to crack down on these scams and ensure the public is protected from fraud and misinformation.”

The rise of these types of calls has escalated during the last few years as this technology now has the potential to confuse consumers with misinformation by imitating the voices of celebrities, political candidates, and close family members.

While currently State Attorneys Generals can target the outcome of an unwanted AI-voice generated robocall—such as the scam or fraud they are seeking to perpetrate—this action now makes the act of using AI to generate the voice in these robocalls itself illegal, expanding the legal avenues through which state law enforcement agencies can hold these perpetrators accountable under the law.

In November of 2023, the FCC launched a Notice of Inquiry to build a record on how the agency can combat illegal robocalls and how AI might be involved. The agency asked questions on how AI might be used for scams that arise out of junk calls, by mimicking the voices of those we know, and whether this technology should be subject to oversight under the TCPA.

Similarly, the FCC also asked about how AI can help us with pattern recognition so that we turn this technology into a force for good that can recognize illegal robocalls before they ever reach consumers on the phone.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is the primary law the FCC uses to help limit junk calls.  It restricts the making of telemarketing calls and the use of automatic telephone dialing systems and artificial or prerecorded voice messages. Under FCC rules, it also requires telemarketers to obtain prior express written consent from consumers before robocalling them. This Declaratory Ruling ensures AI-generated voices in calls are also held to those same standards.

The TCPA gives the FCC civil enforcement authority to fine robocallers. The Commission can also take steps to block calls from telephone carriers facilitating illegal robocalls. In addition, the TCPA allows individual consumers or an organization to bring a lawsuit against robocallers in court.  Lastly, State Attorneys General have their own enforcement tools which may be tied to robocall definitions under the TCPA.

A coalition of 26 State Attorneys General—more than half of the nation’s AGs—recently wrote to the FCC supporting this approach.  By taking this step, the FCC is building on its work to establish partnerships with law enforcement agencies in states across the country to identify and eliminate illegal robocalls.

These partnerships can provide critical resources for building cases and coordinating efforts to protect consumers and businesses nationwide. The FCC offers partner states not only the expertise of its enforcement staff but also important resources and remedies to support state investigations.

The FCC currently has a Memorandum of Understanding with 48 State Attorneys General to work together to combat robocalls.

Concerned About Shortage of Skilled/Certified Works? Act Now!

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According to ESA, over 78% of integrators recently said their #1 concern for the future of the industry is a shortage of skilled/certified workers.

However, you have an opportunity to do something about it. Send a message urging your Members of Congress to support The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act!

This important legislation would allow workers to utilize 529 education savings accounts to pay for costs related to workforce credentialing and certification programs. Lowering the cost barriers associated with the industry will help integrators find more qualified workers.

Be a leader and help solve this program by getting your Members of Congress onboard.

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Links to proposed legislation:

 

Glenview, IL and Allen, TX ECCs go Live with TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP

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The Glenview IL Public Safety Dispatch Centers became the 140th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 1st ECC in the State of Illinois to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  Glenview went live on January 9th & 10th, 2024, with the following companies: Rapid Response Monitoring, Security Central, Quick Response, Securitas, Everon (formerly Protection One), Guardian Protection, Johnson Controls, Alarm Detection Systems, United Central Control, National Monitoring Center, Affiliated Monitoring, Vivint, Brinks and ADT. Vector Security will be on boarded in the near future.

The City of Allen, TX Police and Fire Communications became the 141st Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 17th in the State of Texas to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  The City of Allen went live on January 17th , 2024, with the following companies: Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Security Central, Johnson Controls, Securitas, Dynamark, Alert360, United Central Control, Everon (formerly Protection One), Guardian Protection, National Monitoring Center, Affiliated Monitoring, Vivint, Brinks and ADT. 

“We are excited to be live with the ASAP to PSAP program at our agency.  We look forward to having a partnership with the alarm vendors via ASAP to PSAP to help better serve our responders and citizens within our community,” Jennifer Qvist, Police Specialist for the Allen Police Department.

The passing of Anita Ostrowski, Vector Security

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It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the sudden passing of long time TMA member and revered volunteer leader Anita Ostrowski, vice president of Central Station Services for Vector Security. Anita died suddenly on Sunday, January 7th. At the time of her death, Anita served as the chair of TMA’s UL Committee and co-chair of the Monitoring Center Notification of Active Threat Detection (TMA-ATN-01) Standards Committee.

“Anita was not only an exceptional and highly valued volunteer within TMA, but she was also an extraordinary human being. Time and time again, I witnessed her openly and generously sharing her knowledge and experience with other monitoring center professionals while speaking and mentoring,” commented TMA CEO Celia T. Besore. “Her contributions to TMA education, standards, and the ASAP-to-PSAP program are immeasurable.”      

She joined the Vector Security team in 1985. In her nearly 40-year tenue at the company, she was dedicated to managing its award-winning monitoring center’s services. Her commitment to excellence won her two distinct honors from TMA. In 2008, TMA and SDM magazine presented her with the Monitoring Center Manager of the Year Excellence Award. TMA’s Immediate Past President Morgan Hertel honored Anita’s outstanding contributions to TMA standards and the ASAP-to-PSAP program with one of its highest awards in 2022 – the Mel Mahler Award.

Over the course of her career, Anita was deeply committed to alarm industry standards and actively participated in TMA’s development of ANSI accredited standards. As the chair for TMA’s UL Standards Committee, she worked with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to update and adapt the standards to meet changing technologies. She also worked on the development of work-from-home requirements for monitoring center operators during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the integrity of professional monitoring, as well as sharing with the industry best practices that Vector had developed at the beginning of the pandemic. More recently, Anita participated in the development of TMA’s groundbreaking Alarm Validation Scoring standard (ANSI-TMA-AVS-01), which was released in January 2022.

In addition, Anita was also instrumental in the original development of TMA’s Operator Level 1 and Level 2, which has evolved into the gold standard for training monitoring center operators. She was a key member of the first TMA licensing group and a speaker at many TMA and industry conferences. She played an integral role in the implementation of the ASAP-to-PSAP standard across 911 centers from the very beginning.

The TMA Board of Directors, volunteer leadership, and staff join with the Vector Security family, our members, and many others across the security industry in mourning her loss.

Photo: (l to r) Pam Petrow, president and CEO, Vector Security; Anita Ostrowski; Celia T. Besore, CEO, TMA, at the 2022 TMA Annual Meeting where Anita was presented with the 2022 Mel Mahler Award  for her work in TMA standards and the ASAP-to-PSAP program. 

Vector Security and Security Industry Mourn the Passing of Anita Ostrowski

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Vector Security announced today, the passing of Anita Ostrowski. Anita was the company’s vice president of Central Station Services, having joined the company in 1985. For the past 39 years, Anita had been dedicated to managing the award-winning central station services at Vector Security and has been a trusted ally to the security industry.

Anita recently was the recipient of the Mel Mahler Award from The Monitoring Association (TMA), one of the highest honors given by TMA at the discretion of its president in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Association.

Anita has also been recognized for her leadership in helping to develop alarm monitoring industry standards. As the chair for TMA’s UL 217 Standards Committee, she worked with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to update and adapt the standards to meet changing technologies. She also led the development of work-from-home requirements for central station operators during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the integrity of professional monitoring. In addition, Anita has been a participant in the Alarm Validation Scoring (AVS-01) standard as well as implementation of the ASAP to PSAP standard across 911 centers. She was also recognized by CSAA with their Excellence Award for Central Station Manager of the year in 2008.

Pam Petrow, Vector CEO, stated “Anita was an integral part of the Vector Security team.  She was passionate about the people and the work done in Central Stations and worked her entire career to improve awareness, processes and service delivery for this vital part of our business.  She will be deeply missed.”

TMA Dispatch – Winter Issue Released

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The winter issue of the TMA Dispatch is now available for online reading and download.

This issue’s cover story reviews the year’s highlights in TMA programs such as ASAP-to-PSAP and key initiatives like standards. Catch up and learn how you can get involved in the New Year! Volunteering on a committee is a great way to meet other TMA members and to giveback to the industry.

Our guest column explores how AI and ML is being used to boost video for monitoring centers. See how these new technologies are impacting our industry.

Get to know a bit more about our new president and his plans for his tenure in the President’s column.

Interested in submitting an article? Advertising? Contact communications@tma.us for details.

A Look Back on 2023

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Many thanks to each of you! With your support and participation, TMA has advanced the following initiatives over the past year:

  • The ASAP-to-PSAP service continues its exponential growth this year, with 135 active ECCs and plans to reach 140 by year-end. ASAP now covers over 15% of the US population, that’s over 50,000,000 people nationwide!
  • The 2023 Mid-Year Meeting was delivered virtually over the course of three days in April. Session topics covered business development best practices, cybersecurity, media relations, legal affairs, tech advancements and notable leadership and industry trends.
  • This year, TMA’s OPSTech program was held in Lafayette, LA where we elevated our meeting experience by holding the event at host-company Acadian Monitoring’s ambulance training school instead of a hotel, enriching our program with on-site tours, interactive workshop, and targeted breakout discussions. The new extended engagement platform meant that only 8 of the 12 sessions could be offered virtually.
  • Since January 1, 2023, we have sold nearly 1,700 online Operator Level 1 & 2 Courses, with 1,453 students having successfully completed courses.
  • A comprehensive upgrade of TMATraining.org has streamlined the process for training managers to bulk-purchase courses, monitor student progress, and navigate the electronic catalog, further enhanced by a partnership with The CMOOR Group to provide TMA members with discounted access to a state licensing tracking tool.
  • TMA is elevating alarm response education by developing three AVS-01 operator training modules, launching a dedicated domain, and publishing an influential white paper to drive industry collaboration and encourage adoption of the AVS-01 standard.
  • The NextGen group continued with its well-received Meet Your Mentor To date, co-chairs Ryan Brady and Jessica Lambert have conducted 11 video interviews with respected industry leaders. Stay tuned for more to come!
  • TMA launched the Louis T. Fiore Electronic Communications Scholarship in late 2022 to honor Mr. Fiore’s enduring contribution to the alarm industry and the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC). The scholarship is intended to promote careers in electronic communications. Applications for the first presentation are now being accepted.
  • The 2023 TMA/SSI Marvel Award, in partnership with Security Sales and Integration magazine (SSI) was awarded to National Monitoring Center (NMC). The 2023 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards drew a combination of entries from small-to-medium and enterprise-sized member companies. 2023 winners included: Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise: CPI Security; Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB: Statewide Security; Monitoring Center Manager of the Year: Fiore Ayala, Rapid Response Monitoring; Monitoring Center Operator of the Year: Samantha Marzili, COPS Monitoring; and Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year: Brian DeCarlo, Rapid Response Monitoring. The application period for the 2024 awards opens Oct. 15, 2023.
  • TMA has published the spring and summer issues of TMA Dispatch magazine and 38 issues of TMA Signals weekly e-newsletter. Engagement in TMA’s social media communities, which include LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, have continued to grow in 2023.
  • TMA’s Board for Directors has approved the new dues structure proposed by the Membership Committee and TMA staff. The new structure is based on methodology that standardizes annual dues levels and dues increases. The revised structure ensures that the same standard is applied across similar membership categories. We are confident that it has resulted in positive changes for all current and future members. View the new structure HERE.
  • TMA continues to issue certificates for the FirstNet National Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN), with 54 companies participating in the program and 48 certificates issued so far this year.
  • TMA’s Installation Quality Certification Program “IQ Certification,” the only quality control program for installations, maintenance and service of electronic security systems is growing with 14 IQ-certified companies.

TMA would like to acknowledge and thank our many volunteers; your efforts allow us to succeed in elevating the professional monitoring industry. With your continued support and engagement, we look forward to another productive year.