TMA Launches Ambassador Program – Member Volunteers Sought

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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:

  • Making a welcome and a follow up call;
  • Inviting new members to attend in-person meetings;
  • Sharing your personal TMA experiences; and,
  • Engaging in face-to-face interactions during an upcoming meeting.

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.

 

City of Tacoma, WA, Seeks to Reduce False Alarms

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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:

  1. Overall reduction of multiple false alarm calls generated from one location
  2. Specifically, reduce false alarm calls from video/sensor triggered alarms on properties with high volume of traffic – vehicles and people (i.e. car lots)
  3. Improve response/communication between alarm companies and the city

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

Orange County, NC ECC Goes Live with ASAP

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The Orange County Emergency Services, Public Safety Communications Division became the 146th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 14th ECC in the State of North Carolina to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).

“The ASAP program provides our ECC with most accurate and timely alarm notifications possible while reducing the workload of our Public Safety Telecommunicators.  The implementation of ASAP provides significant benefits to our Department, our partner public safety agencies, and the community we serve,” stated Christopher H. Ward, division chief – Public Safety Communications for Orange County Emergency Services.

Orange County went live on July 22, 2024 with the following companies: Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Alert360, Securitas, Holmes Security, Brinks Home Security, Dynamark Monitoring, United Central Control, Protection One, Guardian Protection, National Monitoring Center, Johnson Controls (Tyco), Vivint, CPI Security, Wegmans Security, Affiliated Monitoring, ADT and Security Central with Alert360 being brought online soon.

Learn more about ASAP at https://tma.us/programs/asap/

 

TMA Details Plan for ASAP’s Next-Generation, Cloud-Based Solution at APCO 2024

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TMA will introduce its plans for the next-generation, cloud-based solution for its ASAP service at the APCO International 90th Annual Conference and Exposition 2024 (APCO 2024). Visit TMA in Booth 1453 on the exhibit floor, which is open August 5-6, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

The leading digital alarm dispatch service, ASAP, provides a low-cost, standards-based, non-proprietary solution to Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs) and delivers a faster, more informed, and intelligent emergency response. It is currently deployed in ECCs in 23 states and the District of Columbia, covering a population exceeding 54.5 million. The 30 ASAP-enabled monitoring centers serve 80% of all monitored customers in the U.S. Since 2011, ASAP has been reducing the time to dispatch by an average of two minutes (after call-answer time) for improved outcomes and saving lives and property. All major computer-aided dispatch (CAD) vendors support ASAP.

“ASAP offers significant benefits to monitoring companies and 9-1-1 emergency communications centers by streamlining alarm notification processing,” said Mel Maier, CEO and Executive Director of APCO International. “Automating alarm workflows through ASAP significantly reduces response times and manual intervention, ultimately enhancing public safety response.”

Also, promoting ASAP at APCO 2024 will be our longtime implementation partner, CommSys, Inc. (Booth 1832), and our new partner, Mission Critical Partners (MCP) (Booth 2013).

TMA announced in June that it had signed a new agreement with MCP for the management of the lifesaving ASAP Service. The managed service provider will also assist in the design and development of the next-generation alarm signaling message broker for the ASAP service that will deliver expanded capabilities, integration options, and an ongoing roadmap for the platform.

Another key partner also attending and exhibiting at APCO is TMA’s long-standing implementation partner CommSys, Inc. CommSys served as the original architect of ASAP and its protocol, pioneering its implementation process. CommSys has provided assistance and guidance to interested PSAPS, software automation providers, and alarm dealers with professional services and software tools to connect to ASAP Services. CommSys will continue in this integral role under the leadership of MCP.

Robert Turner, President and Founder of CommSys, stated, “CommSys applauds TMA’s win-win approach to the nationwide acceleration of the ASAP Service. With a deep commitment to ASAP’s impact on public safety, CommSys stands ready to continue what we do best, which is ASAP implementation. Be assured, we are already scaling to meet anticipated ASAP implementation demand.”

“It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, the same can often be said for technology evolutions,” said Darrin Reilly, MCP’s president and chief executive officer. “ASAP is the result of a collaborative effort between the alarm and public-safety sectors, and we’re thrilled to be part of this effort going forward to increase the service’s penetration and to develop new and exciting capabilities.”

Learn more about the ASAP Service at https://tma.us/programs/asap/ or visit TMA in Booth 1453 at APCO 2024.

TMA and MCP Meet with Key Stakeholders at NENA 2024

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Following the recent announcement of TMA’s new partnership with Mission Critical Partners (MCP), TMA President Steve Butkovich had the opportunity to attend NENA 2024 along with MCP President and CEO Darrin Reilly. The annual conference proved to be an ideal forum to share the news about the next generation of TMA’s ASAP with key stakeholders within the 9-1-1 community. NENA is a non-profit professional organization solely focused on 9-1-1 operations, technology, education, and policy issues.

Over the course of the multi-day education and networking event, Butkovich and Reilly met with NENA leadership and volunteers in addition to 9-1-1, public safety leaders, CAD vendors, and telecommunication companies to share and discuss the vision and future goals for TMA’s ASAP protocol.

The primary goal of this exciting new partnership is to drive the development of ASAP’s next-generation, cloud-based solution. The future-focused solution will allow for the real-time sharing of rich data, including camera video streams, live location, health information, photos, and interior blueprints, dramatically improving situational awareness for emergency responders.

Next up, Butkovich and Reilly plan to attend the upcoming APCO 2024 in Orlando, FL, August 4-7 where public safety communications officials, from frontline telecommunicators to ECC managers to public safety communications equipment and services vendors will be in attendance.

Visit TMA in Booth1453 or MCP in Booth 907 to learn more about ASAP’s exciting next-generation, cloud-based solution.

More about ASAP

ASAP is the industry-leading, standards-based service for the digital dispatch of alarm events to 911 centers. Since its introduction in 2011, ASAP has been helping public safety agencies reduce the time to dispatch first responders by an average of two minutes, enabling faster and more informed response for improved outcomes, saving lives and property. ASAP has the largest adoption rate in the industry, with over 80 percent of the alarm systems in the United States monitored by an alarm company connected to the ASAP Service.

North Carolina’s Buncombe County ECC goes live with ASAP Service

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The Buncombe County Public Safety Communications Center (BCPSC) became the 145th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 13th ECC in the state of North Carolina to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).

Buncombe County went live on June 21st & 22nd, 2024 with the following companies: Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Alert360, Securitas, Quick Response, Brinks Home Security, Dynamark Monitoring, ADT, Protection One, Guardian Protection, National Monitoring Center, Vivint, Johnson Controls (Tyco), Security Central, United Central Control, CPI Security, and Affiliated Monitoring.

Learn more about TMA’s ASAP Service at https://tma.us/programs/asap/

 

TMA Dispatch – Summer Issue – NOW AVAILABLE!

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The summer issue of the TMA Dispatch is now available! Login to the TMA member portal to read.

Our Cover Story…It’s one of the best times of the year for TMA members and staff—awards season! This issue’s cover story puts a spotlight on the 2024 winners of the TMA/SDM Excellence Awards and the TMA/SSI Marvel Technology Award. Find out who took the top award this year!

In Guest Columns…In the first of two guest columns in this issue, TMA member Jeffrey Zwirn, President, IDS Research and Development, Inc. poses the question, “How long is it acceptable to leave a zone on Test?” Consultant Peter Giacalone, Giacalone Associates, explores the wonders of conversational AI in our second guest column. What is it? Would you be surprised to learn that Conversational AI offers superior accuracy and flexibility? Enjoy the read.

In Research…Discover how partnerships and special product/service bundles are giving security companies a competitive edge in today’s challenging residential marketplace. Parks Associates VP Jennifer Kent offers valuable insights into how to deliver (and exceed) homeowners’ expectations. As always, lots of great insights!

In the GSOC Column…What is the myth of the video wall in GSOCs? TMA GSOC Council Chair Richard Flores takes you behind the scenes and unveils the real value of this highly acclaimed security asset. Does it replace guards? Read and find out.

Read these and more in the latest issue the TMA Dispatch now!

TMA Members Contribute to ASAP 3.0 Next Generation Fund

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TMA announced on Wed., June 26th it had signed a a multi-year managed services agreement with Mission Critical Partners (MCP) to power the future growth of its Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) Service.

The partnership with MCP will expedite the rollout of the next-generation of the ASAP Service and drive the development of a new, cloud-based solution. The next-generation solution will allow for the real-time sharing of rich data, including camera video streams, live location, health information, photos, and interior blueprints, dramatically improving situational awareness for emergency responders.

The primary goal for the Service is to achieve 80% coverage of the populating by 2028.

This partnership and technological advancements have been made possible by the generous support and commitment of TMA members that contributed to our ASAP 3.0 Next Generation funding program. TMA extends its gratitude to the following donors:

  • ADT, LLC
  • Affiliated Monitoring
  • Alarm Detection Systems, Inc.
  • Alert360
  • AvantGuard Monitoring Centers
  • COPS Monitoring
  • CPI Security Systems
  • Doyle Security Systems, Inc.
  • Dynamark Monitoring, Inc.
  • Holmes Electric Security Systems
  • National Monitoring Center
  • Per Mar Security Services
  • Quick Response
  • Rapid Response
  • Securitas
  • Security Central
  • United Central Control
  • Vector Security, Inc.
  • Vivint Smart Home
  • Washington Alarm, Inc.

Learn more about the new partnership and goals for enhancements to the Service by reading the full public announcement HERE.

FYI- Zoom Updates

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TMA received the following message sent to Zoom Customers. Please make note as TMA conducts many of its meetings via Zoom.

“We are reaching out with a reminder that Zoom will be enforcing minimum versions as outlined in our Software Lifecycle Policy on August 3, 2024 (Pacific Standard Time).

This is a quarterly enforcement policy so please check our support article and status page for the table of products and corresponding minimum versions, as well as future enforcement dates. Users who are running an end-of-life version after Aug. 3 will be logged out of their Zoom Client (Desktop, Mobile, and VDI) or not be able to join meetings via the Zoom Client until they update.

As always, we highly recommend you regularly update to the latest version of Zoom software by checking for updates within the Zoom client or by navigating to zoom.us/download.

As an admin or owner you can view the versions users on your account are running through the Dashboard or within the user management portal by filtering by client type.

Thank you for your partnership as we continually work to make our platform more secure and deliver a better experience for our customers. Please feel free to reach out to the Zoom Support team if you have any additional questions or need assistance to update your organization.

Team Zoom”

ESA Calls for Support of School Security Legislation [HR 7357]

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During this 118th Congress, ESA has been monitoring over a dozen bills on the issue of school security. Unfortunately, after they are introduced, they are assigned to a committee and rarely heard about again.

ESA is calling for security industry businesses to call upon Congress to take action on this important legislation. Ask your representatives to support HR 7357, the Securing Our Schools Act of 2024. Instead of being assigned to the House Education and the Workforce Committee, this bill was assigned to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

This legislation would authorize funding already allocated to schools, to be used for the purchase and installation of security and life safety systems. Congress does not need to increase spending at all, just let schools spend the funds on systems that we know would make the environment safer for students.

Our industry has the talents and equipment to make these vulnerable locations safer.

Learn more and contact your representative at https://www.votervoice.net/ESA/Campaigns/115872/Respond