NY State Police Officer to Receive 2019 TMA Public Sector Award

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The Monitoring Association [TMA] is pleased to announce New York State Lieutenant Rachael VanDeusen is the 2019 recipient of its Public Sector Award. Lt. VanDeusen is credited with leading the efforts to expand access to TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP1 Service via the New York eJustice Information System (CIIS). She will be the fifth recipient of the award, which was established in 2015 to recognize a public sector individual’s contribution to the alarm industry and its subscribers. Lt. VanDeusen will receive the Award at a luncheon on June 6 at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in Indianapolis, IN

The ASAP-to-PSAP service, launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, is based on an American National Standard developed jointly by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and TMA, then the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA). The service provides a standardized method, through the use of automation and the power of Nlets, to deliver alarm notifications to 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). The result can be an increase in the likelihood of law enforcement apprehensions for crimes in-progress and of fire quickly extinguished with minimal property damage. ASAP can be a life-saver for a medical emergency patient when every second counts.

“Through her efforts in sharing her vision with the New York State Police command staff and in working in collaboration with COMMs, Lt. VanDeusen has introduced life-saving technologies that will ultimately lead to greater safety throughout her community,†stated Ivan Spector, president, TMA. “She has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and determination. TMA is very honored to present this year’s Public Sector Award to Lt. VanDeusen in recognition of and appreciation for unwavering efforts.â€

Of particular significance, Suffolk County Fire Rescue Communications Center (known as COMMs) will be the first fire-only PSAP in the nation to be connected to ASAP via a state law enforcement system. Traditionally, by policy or law, non-law enforcement agencies have not been able to access the state CISS system, the primary method for PSAPs to access the ASAP service. COMMs is a part of the Suffolk County Government, servicing 1.5 million residents and 10,000 first responders.

The award recipient must be nominated by one or more TMA members in good standing. Bob Turner, TMA ASAP Consultant and Jay Hahn, former President and former Executive Director & CEO of TMA put Lt. VanDeusen’s name forward for consideration.                            

Visit TMA’s website to learn more about previous winners of its annual Public Sector Award and the ASAP-to-PSAP service.

Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.

Lt. Rachael VanDeusen

TMA Intoduces New False Alarm Reduction Program

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TMA and the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) are pleased to announce the availability of a newly-created false alarm course developed to help TMA member companies educate customers on how to use alarm systems responsibly.

Studies have shown that alarm user error is the main cause of false alarms, rather than equipment failure. The bottom line is false alarms cost you, your customers, and your community money and resources. Once customers are comfortable with their alarm systems, they will avoid false alarms and maximize their security investment.

This course will review how alarm systems work and what you can do to avoid mistakes that cause false alarms.

By avoiding false alarms, customers will be able to get the most out of their alarm systems and not worry about fines or suspension of services.  Customers can rest easy knowing that when unexpected emergencies occur, their alarm company is there to respond to any alarms generated from their systems.

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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 https://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.â€

Call for participation in TMA-VMS-01 video procedural standard committee.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.â€

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).