UL Releases Statement Addressing Industry Concerns

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In a statement from UL:

UL’s public mission is to promote safer working and living environments for all people. We make every effort to confirm that UL-certified products meet stringent safety requirements, including opening a Product Incident Report for any issue that comes to our attention.

Consistent with our usual policies regarding product safety matters, when UL received the alarm system claims, UL immediately opened a Product Incident Report and began an investigation.

During such investigations, certification documentation is reviewed, products are often re-tested, and if any issues are found, UL works with the product manufacturer to resolve the issues. In some instances, a public notice may be issued.

Based on the investigation completed thus far, no safety issues have been identified. The investigation is still ongoing.

UL sees no imminent hazard despite the assertions currently in the market. The current standards address reasonably foreseeable hazards, faults or misuse not intentional disablement of a life safety device. Those making claims have their own commercial interest in driving concern. The requirements being suggested around attack by fire and/or malicious intrusion are currently not mandated by the applicable standards or code. New suggested requirements could be brought to the attention of the Standard Technical Panel. Those making claims are part of the STP and have not brought suggested revisions to the STP’s attention to-date.

Bold Group’s Brousseau Tackles Cybersecurity, Network Health, and More

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Register now to attend the upcoming TMA Virtual Product Review – Network Navigator: Cybersecurity, Network Health, and More, Thurs., Oct. 24th at 2:00 PM (EST).

Bold Group’s Network Navigator can play a major role in both your IT services and your frontline defense. By remotely and securely monitoring your customers’ networks and devices over a secure VPN connection, you can assure device health, equipment availability, provide remote support, conduct remote video tours, and more. If your customer monitors IoT devices, the lack of security in these products introduces significant vulnerability to your network. Network Navigator provides real-time monitoring of IoT device health, providing a simple solution to a complex problem.

Join Bold Group’s stages® Director of Technology Bill Brousseau as he discusses the benefits of this extraordinary device, part of Bold’s Security Intelligence suite of cybersecurity products developed specifically for our industry.

REGISTER

 

TMA Member – WeSuite – Seeks Your Feedback

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New TMA member, WeSuite, has set up a survey for other members to provide insights into a variety of topics relating to business software needs and how your organization goes about finding solutions. Ten lucky respondents will have a chance to receive a $100 Amazon gift e-cards.

Take the survey.

Florida on Our Mind

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As hurricane Dorian makes it’s way toward the east coast of Florida, please know that you and your loved ones are close in thought at this time.

Here are some Quicklinks to resources that may be of assistance to you in preparing for the storm:

Protecting your pets:

Please be safe.

TMA Member Volunteer Opportunities Posted

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Whether you are a new member who’s just getting to know TMA or a long-standing member who’s been engaged along the way – you’ll find the newest webpage on TMA’s website to be of interest! A new webpage, linked through the “Members” tab in the top navigation, provides a listing of volunteer opportunities for members.

Visit often to review the various TMA initiatives that are in need of subject matter expertise, industry knowledge, or a little creativity. Opportunities vary in terms of requirements and time commitment. So, no matter what your level of experience, knowledge, skill set, or availability – there is an opportunity for you to give back and contribute to the advancement of your industry…all-the-while investing in your own career and your company’s business success.

Take a first look at current volunteer opportunities.

Charity Identified to Honor Mahler

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For those who wish to make a donation in honor of TMA Past President Mel Mahler, the family has asked for contributions in his memory to:

Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center
Vanderbilt Gift and Donor Services
3322 West End Ave., Suite 900
Nashville, TN 37203

2019 Fall Ops Survey Open

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It’s time to collect topics for this year’s Fall Ops 2019 and TMA wants to hear from you! Please identify challenges that you would like to bring to this unique forum geared toward the professional monitoring center environment.

As has become tradition, we are also gathering your feedback for the Roundtable discussions. Because there are so many potential topics, we need your help to prioritize which topics are important to you.  This is a great opportunity to bring forth any issues to receive valuable feedback from your colleagues. Want to lead a discussion or share a case-study? Let us know!

Based on last year’s experience, we expect another valuable exchange when each Roundtable shares their findings with the entire group.

“Come with a problem, leave with a solution!”

Our tour this year is at STANLEY Security’s ProtectionNet™ Customer Services Center in Plymouth, MN (just outside Minneapolis), where they effectively monitor all types of security systems from homeowners to Fortune 500 companies.

Please take a few moments to rank your topics in order of importance to you and your business!

Survey deadline: 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, July 31st.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VFDXHLY

Support 911 Professionals in Getting the Recognition They Deserve

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The federal government currently classifies 9-1-1 operator positions as administrative/clerical in nature, in the same group for secretaries, office clerks, and taxicab dispatchers, which is inaccurate and a disservice to the lifesaving work and dedication of these professionals.  In partnership with APCO International, TMA is seeking your support for the bipartisan, bicameral , a simple zero-cost bill that would fix the federal classification by appropriately grouping Public Safety Telecommunicators with other “Protective” occupations.

Many of you work closely with 9-1-1 operators across the United States. You, more than most, understand the nature of the specialized training that is required and the depth of commitment to helping those in need. TMA asks you to take a few minutes to lend your support to this legislation aimed at raising the profile of your colleagues. It’s good governance, and it’s a much-deserved recognition for the 100,000 Public Safety Telecommunicators in our country.

Public Safety Telecommunicators should be categorized as Protective Service Occupations, which includes a broad range of “protective” occupations: lifeguards, gambling surveillance officers, fish and game wardens, parking enforcement workers, firefighters, and playground monitors, among others. Reclassification is common sense, and about getting Public Safety Telecommunicators the recognition they deserve for the work they do every day to protect and save the lives of the public and first responders.

Please support the 9-1-1 SAVES Act by sending a letter of support to those representatives who support the Act or a letter to request support.

The links below take you to a dynamic form on APCO’s website. You need simply provide your contact information and the appropriate letter is sent automatically to your representatives and senators. The process takes just minutes to complete.

Thank you for your time and support!

Ask Alexa for the NEW Monitoring Association Update!

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Ask Alexa each Wednesday for your weekly Monitoring Association Update!

The Monitoring Association (TMA) strives to provide you with its latest news and information through a variety of communications channels. We’re excited to launch a new weekly news brief that you can access quickly and easily each and every Wednesday!

If you have an Amazon Echo, you can access your “Monitoring Association Update” by:

  1. Enabling the Monitoring Association skill.
  2. Saying “Alexa, open (or start) the “Monitoring Association Update” on your smart speaker or on your Alexa app on your smart phone.

Look for a version for Google’s Home to be released later this year!

Questions:

Contact TMA Director of Marketing & Communications Leigh A. McGuire at lmcguire@tma.us or 703.660.4916 or TMA Executive Director Celia Besore at ceo@tma.us or 703.660.4913

 

Finalists for 2019 TMA/SSI Monitoring Technology “Marvel” Award Announced

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

  • CPI Security
  • Securens Systems Pvt. Ltd.

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 is to provide recognition for monitoring centers creating and/or using cutting-edge technology and to raise awareness of these new technologies.

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 winner of the Marvel will be announced on June 3, 2019 in Indianapolis (as part of the 2019 Electronic Security Expo) and will be featured in the August 2019 Monitoring Issue of SSI. Runners-up will also receive coverage in the issue.