TMA Launches Five Diamond Dealer Program

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The Monitoring Association [TMA] has launched its Five Diamond Dealer Program. An extension of its prestigious Five Diamond Designation, which is the standard of excellence for the monitoring industry, the new program provides the means for TMA Five Diamond-designated alarm companies to share the benefits of its designation with key dealers. TMA is an internationally-recognized non-profit trade association whose mission is to advance the professional monitoring industry through education, advocacy, standards, and public safety relationships.

“TMA’s Five Diamond designation is the benchmark for excellence for monitoring centers. Designees share a commitment to the highest levels of customer service, education, and standards,” stated Ralph Sevinor, chair, TMA Five Diamond Committee. “We are pleased to offer this valuable new opportunity to dealers and monitoring companies with dealers whose level of commitment is aligned with the Five Diamond designation.”

TMA President Ivan Spector, added, “TMA’s mission has long been focused on advancing professionalism across the monitoring industry. With the addition of the Five Diamond Dealer program, TMA is positioning a new network of security dealers to be recognized for excellence in the services they provide and to, ultimately, achieve greater recognition and success.”                                                                                     

Detailed program information, including eligibility, benefits, and application guidelines are available online.

Professional Installation and Monitoring Associations Dispute Google’s Statement, “Security Systems Often Use Microphones”

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Recent reporting by Business Insider, CNN Business and many other publications have highlighted the undisclosed, on-board microphone discovered in Google’s Nest Guard Security Device—raising serious privacy concerns among consumers. The Monitoring Association (TMA) and the Electronic Security Association (ESA), trade associations representing professionals who install and monitor security and life safety technologies in homes and businesses, call into question the validity of Google’s published statements concerning the use of microphones in security devices. According to TMA and ESA, statements such as, “security systems often include microphones to provide features that rely on sound sensing,” misrepresent the vast majority of today’s residential security systems installed throughout the country.

Since audio recording includes privacy and legal complexities, it’s not extremely common in residential installations. Security professionals and integrators consult with customers and ensure all federal and state laws are abided by.

“Adding audio surveillance can certainly make for a more robust system,” says ESA President, Chris Mosley. “We’re seeing exciting advancements in the audio surveillance category, such as acoustic sensors and microphones that can help us detect gunfire or when voices become elevated that could indicate potential violence. However, sweeping statements to infer that residential systems commonly have this feature are simply not accurate.”

Louroe Electronics, an ESA Member company and 40-year-old manufacturer of audio-based technologies concurs with this analysis. “Sound-based technology in security systems is common in law enforcement, institutional, and smart city installations. However, the use of microphones for surveillance in residences is extremely rare on account of heightened expectations of privacy,” says the company’s CEO, Richard Brent.

“Security systems are now an important part of the customer home experience in that we can integrate with audio assistance,” says Ivan Spector, TMA President. “However professionally installed and monitored security systems are not designed to record data and conversations unbeknownst to our customers.”

According to both associations, adding microphones and audio capabilities to security systems adds another level of precaution that must be taken to install the system in a way that protects the privacy of the consumer.

Professionally installed systems have the backing of technology experts who know the full capability of the system and its components and can appropriately safeguard these systems, so as not to compromise privacy.

Visit www.tma.us to learn more about The Monitoring Association or to  find an ESA security professional in your area, visit www.alarm.org.

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About The Monitoring Association

The Monitoring Association (TMA), formerly the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), is an internationally-recognized non-profit trade association that represents professional monitoring companies, security systems integrators, and providers of products and services to the industry. Incorporated in 1950, TMA is legally entitled to represent its members before Congress and regulatory agencies on the local, state and federal levels, and other authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) over the industry. Learn more online at http://tma.us/about-tma/.

About the Electronic Security Association (ESA)

Established in 1948, ESA is the largest trade association in the United States representing the electronic security and life safety industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. In cooperation with an alliance of chapter associations, ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools, and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. Together, ESA member companies employ more than 500,000 industry professionals and serve more than 34 million residential and commercial clients. To find an ESA security professional in your area, visit www.alarm.org

TMA Welcomes Stanley Security VP to its Executive Committee

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The Monitoring Association [TMA] today announced the appointment of Steve Walker, vice president of Customer Service for Minneapolis-based Stanley Convergent Security Solutions, to the Executive Committee of its Board of Directors. Walker brings over 20 years of leadership experience in security operations and IT to his new role on the TMA Board of Directors.

“I have been proud to serve on the TMA Board of Directors for many years and have been grateful to be part of an organization that serves our industry in so many important ways,” Walker commented. “As I step into this new role, I look forward to helping and serving our leadership team as we navigate the waters of change in the years ahead.”

TMA President Ivan Spector remarked, “Steve’s vast wealth of industry knowledge and experience, coupled with his business acumen, is a tremendous asset to TMA as we look to grow, diversify, and keep pace with new technologies impacting our members. We are grateful for his continued service and his many contributions to TMA on behalf of our members.”

Walker’s career in security began at Honeywell Security where he followed its transition to private equity ownership (HSM Security). He later went on to work for Stanley Black & Decker. In addition to previous service on the TMA Board and his current co-chairmanship of the Surveillance and Video Verification Committee, Walker has served on the Board of Directors (past president) of the Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response (PPVAR).

Morgan Hertel Honored with TMA’s Lott Award

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Rapid Response’s Morgan Hertel Honored with Stanley C. Lott Award at 2017 TMA Annual Meeting

Morgan Hertel, vice president of Technology and Innovation for Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc. was awarded The Monitoring Association (TMA)’s highest honor, the Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award for Exemplary Service, at the 2017 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ on October 11.

This award was created to honor the memory of Stanley C. Lott, a TMA (CSAA) past president renowned for his above-and-beyond efforts to lead and financially support the Association through difficult times.

“As always, the Lott Award was presented to a person who has demonstrated above and beyond commitment to our association and to the industry over a number of years,” said Pamela J. Petrow, then-president of TMA, who presented the award. “Morgan is someone who gives tirelessly of his time through committee work, responding on our digital community board, and in one-to-one consultation, all in an effort to improve our association and to educate others in the industry … including his competitors!”

“Morgan is a chair or participant on numerous committees – not only TMA’s, but on SIA, ESA, AICC, PPVAR and UL groups,” Petrow continued. “I would guess that the majority of people present when we announced his name at the Annual Meeting have benefited from Morgan’s knowledge and wisdom, which he shares so generously. I am honored to be the president who presented Morgan with the Lott Award – it is richly deserved.”

Hertel has been with Rapid Response since 2012. His work has led to many technological enhancements to the company’s infrastructure and the development of its west coast monitoring center in Corona, CA. He is well known throughout the industry, is a contributor to many industry publications and has served in various capacities in its education programs and in the development of standards. He is the chair of TMA’s Contract Monitoring Council and, in June 2017, was elected to the position of Vice President on the TMA Board of Directors.

“This is really an honor and a privilege – not only to receive this award but to be here at the TMA Annual Meeting,” said Hertel. “One of the reasons I do what I do is a personal belief in the importance of giving back. I think many in our industry feel the same way. You give back to your community, church, faith, your industry that’s provided you with a great living over the last 40 years. I’m honored to receive this and it’s great to be recognized, but really it’s another opportunity for inspire other industry members and their kids and the people following behind us to start giving back.”

Find out more about the Stanley C. Lott Award and view the list of recipients since 1991 at http://tma.us/stanley-c-lott-award/.

Morgan Hertel (left) and Pam Petrow

New Year’s ASAP® News: Vivint is Latest Company to Connect

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Implementation of the “Automated Secure Alarm Protocol” is Building Nationwide;
Boca Raton is First Connected PSAP in Florida

VIENNA, VA (January 12, 2016) – Vivint, one of the largest smart home technology providers in North America with more than one million customers, is the latest national alarm company to go live with ASAP®.

“We are very pleased to announce that Vivint has completed testing and officially is live with ASAP messaging,” said CSAA President Pamela J. Petrow. “They join the ever-growing list of companies actively participating in this technology and further increasing our accuracy and speed at getting emergency information to the first responders.”

“We are excited to be live with our first PSAP—Richmond, VA,” said Amy Becht, Vivint Director of Central Stations. “We plan on steadily adding additional PSAPs in the coming weeks.”

CSAA announced in December that Vector Security and Rapid Response went operational in production with Boca Raton on December 16, followed by Monitronics on December 17. This is the first ASAP implementation in the state of Florida. “We had great momentum throughout 2015 and look forward to the continuation of added PSAPs and connected alarm companies in 2016,” said Petrow.

ASAP was launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, designed to increase the efficiency and reliability of emergency electronic signals from central station alarm companies to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). ASAP utilizes ANSI standard protocols developed cooperatively by the Association of Public Communications Officials (APCO) and the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA).

With ASAP, critical life safety signals and accurate information is processed more quickly, through the Nlets system of state-to-state PSAP communication, insuring that complete and accurate information is transmitted to the PSAP every time. The ASAP program has the potential to save PSAPs and emergency services millions of dollars.

For more information on ASAP or to access ASAP resources (videos, webinars, training and outreach materials), contact CSAA at asap@csaaintl.org or 703-242-4670, or visit csaaintl.org/asap.

 

Stanley Security Implements ASAP®

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“Automated Secure Alarm Protocol” is Spreading Nationwide

VIENNA, VA (November 20, 2015) – Stanley Security, one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive security providers, went live with ASAP® in the city of Richmond, VA on October 22.

“We understand that this program is an important step forward for both our industry and for law enforcement, and we are proud to be part of this transformational process in public safety,” said Steve Walker, Vice President of Customer Service for Stanley. “The electronic communication of alarm information will reduce dispatch times, improve the accuracy of data exchanged between the monitoring center and the PSAP and, most importantly, will create the opportunity for law enforcement to respond more quickly to alarms.”

“The addition of Stanley is a big step in the advancement of ASAP,” said CSAA Executive Director Jay Hauhn. “The growth of the program this year has been tremendous. With the numbers of ASAP-active alarm companies and interested PSAPs, I believe we have reached the point where we will see widespread deployment in 2016.”

“We have appreciated the capable support of Bill Hobgood (Project Manager, Public Safety Team Department of Information Technology City of Richmond, VA) in helping us to navigate through the procedural challenges of implementing the ASAP-to-PSAP program,” continued Walker. “We have also appreciated the support of our partners at IBS in adapting the SBN monitoring automation platform to successfully leverage the ASAP-to-PSAP communications.”

Looking ahead, Walker commented, “We’re moving forward to expand our ASAP implementation at Stanley to include the other PSAPs in the DC area and have set our sights on going live in Houston in early 2016.”

ASAP was launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, designed to increase the efficiency and reliability of emergency electronic signals from central station alarm companies to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). ASAP utilizes ANSI standard protocols developed cooperatively by the Association of Public Communications Officials (APCO) and the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA).

With ASAP, critical life safety signals and accurate information is processed more quickly, through the Nlets system of state-to-state PSAP communication, insuring that complete and accurate information is transmitted to the PSAP every time. The ASAP program has the potential to save PSAPs and emergency services millions of dollars.

 

For more information on ASAP or to access ASAP resources (videos, webinars, training and outreach materials), contact CSAA at asap@csaaintl.org or 703-242-4670, or visit csaaintl.org/asap.

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About CSAA International

The Central Station Alarm Association International (CSAA) is an internationally-recognized non-profit trade association that represents professional monitoring companies that are listed by a CSAA-approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, such as FM Approvals, Intertek/ETL or UL. CSAA is legally entitled to represent its members before Congress and regulatory agencies on the local, state and federal levels, and other authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) over the industry. Since its incorporation in 1950, CSAA has served its members’ interests through education, online training, meetings and conventions, certification, insurance, and industry standards. www.csaaintl.org. For more information, contact Elizabeth Lasko at CSAA, 703-242-4670 x 16.

 

2015 CSAA Marketing MARVEL Award Winner is COPS Monitoring

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VIENNA, VA (July 17, 2015) — CSAA International announced the winner of the CSAA 2015 Five Diamond Marketing MARVEL Award on June 25 at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in Baltimore, MD. COPS Monitoring was honored for promoting its CSAA Five Diamond status to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

The CSAA Five Diamond Marketing MARVEL Awards Program recognizes CSAA Five Diamond companies that have used their CSAA Five Diamond designation to better position themselves in the marketplace. This program is sponsored by Security Sales & Integration (SSI). 

“We are proud to be named as this year’s Marketing MARVEL Award winner,” said David Smith, Director of Marketing for COPS Monitoring. “We work hard behind the scenes every day for our dealers helping to safeguard their customers and hard-earned reputations. We believe when we win, our dealers win. We hope that proudly advertising our network of CSAA Five Diamond central stations and being named last year’s Central Station of the Year not only help give our dealers peace of mind, but also contribute to their competitive edge in the marketplace.”

The company submitted an integrated marketing plan that prominently featured their CSAA Five Diamond status on advertising, newsletters, their website, exhibits, company overview, sales literature, and even business cards.

“CSAA is pleased to recognize COPS for their exemplary and creative efforts to use their Five Diamond status to increase their visibility in the marketplace,” said CSAA Executive Director Jay Hauhn. “When our CSAA Five Diamond companies spotlight their certification through public promotion, consumers become more aware of how important it is to choose high-quality professional monitoring. Congratulations to COPS for making Five Diamond such an important part of their marketing plan!”

The CSAA Five Diamond Program is a balanced certification program providing its companies a distinction in the central station monitoring marketplace because it signifies five points of excellence:

  1. Commitment to random inspections and quality criteria standards by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as FM Approvals, Intertek/ETL and UL.
  2. Commitment to the highest levels of customer service.
  3. Commitment to ongoing job-related education and testing by having 100% of its central station operators certified using the CSAA online training series.
  4. Commitment to raising the industry standards through CSAA membership and participation in its activities.
  5. Commitment to reducing false dispatches.

The purpose of the CSAA Five Diamond Marketing MARVEL Awards Program is to:

  • Recognize and honor companies that have used their CSAA Five Diamond designation in creative ways to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
  • Inspire others to market their CSAA Five Diamond advantage.
  • Help other CSAA Five Diamond companies create their own CSAA Five Diamond Marketing Toolkit.
  • Heighten awareness of the CSAA Five Diamond Program to CSAA members and the industry at large.
  • Inspire ALL companies engaged in security monitoring to enrich their operations by educating them about the “best marketing practices” of CSAA Five Diamond companies.
  • Elevate the profile of CSAA Five Diamond companies and CSAA for their professionalism in the eyes of the mainstream media and general public.

All CSAA Five Diamond Marketing MARVEL Award entries are reviewed by a panel of judges selected by CSAA and members of the CSAA Five Diamond Marketing MARVEL Awards Program Subcommittee. The judges are not affiliated with any currently-operating central station.

Watch for coverage in SSI and CSAA Dispatch later this summer. Contact Elizabeth Lasko at CSAA for photographs and more information.

 

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 About CSAA International

The Central Station Alarm Association International (CSAA) is an internationally-recognized non-profit trade association that represents professional monitoring companies that are listed by a CSAA-approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, such as FM Approvals, Intertek/ETL or UL. CSAA is legally entitled to represent its members before Congress and regulatory agencies on the local, state and federal levels, and other authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) over the industry. Since its incorporation in 1950, CSAA has served its members’ interests through education, online training, meetings and conventions, certification, insurance, and industry standards. www.csaaintl.org. For more information, contact Elizabeth Lasko at CSAA, 703-242-4670 x 16.

 

Nationwide Monitoring Bill Survey

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June 24, 2014

To: Central Station Owners

From:  CSAA Contract Monitoring Council

Re: Nationwide Monitoring Bill Survey

If your company provides alarm monitoring services to alarm dealers and/or end-users in multiple states, then you are aware of the challenges associated with obtaining proper licensing for your alarm monitoring company and your alarm dispatchers. Not only do the costs of repeatedly supplying fingerprint cards and background checks create a logistical challenge and financial burden, in many cases, the expensive and time-consuming training/testing requirements for monitoring personnel is not even relevant to the tasks that they perform on a daily basis.

To combat these and the other issues associated with individual state licenses for alarm monitoring companies, the CSAA Contract Monitoring Council represented by the Alarm Industry Communication Committee (AICC) has explored a bill, the “Alarm Monitoring Model Licensing Act.” The Council believes that a nationwide licensing bill would be very beneficial to central station monitoring companies; however, the passage of such legislation is a time-consuming and expensive endeavor, and funding is needed from the companies that will benefit from this legislation. At this time, funding for this effort has been exhausted, and the Council is not seeing sufficient interest in continuing the effort.

After several years of outreach, the Council would like to know of your interest in and support for pursuing this agenda. Please help us by completing the short survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LZWLGN5  .

The survey questions are:

  1. Are you interested in CSAA pursuing this nationwide monitoring bill?
  2. Will you contact your Senator or Congressperson on behalf of this effort?
  3. Will you participate in communications and other activities to help promote this bill to Congress?
  4. Will your company contribute financially?
  5. Will you personally contribute to a PAC for this effort?
  6. Should CSAA stop pursuing this initiative?

Thank you for your participation. Your response will be kept confidential, though you will be asked for contact information. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Lasko at CSAA – ewlasko@csaaintl.org.

 

 

DC Wins 2014 Intergraph Icon Award

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ASAP

 

Intergraph® Security, Government and Infrastructure (SG&I) today announced the  2014 Icon Award winners: Bavarian State Police of Germany, CET of São Paulo and  Washington, D.C.’s Office of Unified Communications.  Read press release at:  http://www.intergraph.com/assets/pressreleases/2014/06-03-2014e.aspx

 

 

Annual Wholesale Monitoring Survey

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Results of the 2013 Wholesale Monitoring Survey – March 2014 (pdf)


Read an overview of the results

The CSAA Contract Monitoring Council is pleased to announce the results of the annual Wholesale Monitoring Survey.  This is a joint effort between Barnes Associates, Security Systems News and the Central Station Alarm Association to quantify the size of the wholesale monitoring market (U.S.) and its growth rate.  Participants are asked for a single data point:  how many accounts/systems do you monitor on a wholesale basis?

The participation from past years plays a critical role in providing insight into the collective activity of the many thousands of small alarm companies.  This is very important to maintaining the support of the industry that benefits all of its participants.  Your input on this survey is crucial to clarifying changes in the many thousands of small alarm companies (and in many of the larger ones).  The results can also help you better assess your performance relative to the overall wholesale monitoring market.