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You are here: Home1 / Education2 / Online Training3 / Operator Level 1 Modules

Monitoring Center Operator Level 1 Online Training Course

TMA released the revised Monitoring Center Operator Level 1 online training course for operators in November 2017. The course was originally created in 2004 to address the challenges of 21st century professional monitoring. Produced by TMA staff and volunteers with vast industry and training, and  reviewed extensively by industry vetting partners, it is recognized as the gold standard in monitoring center operator training. The Level 1 course is a manageable introduction to the industry through an absorbing, inspiring e-learning experience. It features current best practices for online learning including:

  • Micro-learning
  • Narration
  • Audio and visual examples for those with differing learning styles

The course typically takes about 6 hours to complete all of the modules, depending on the student’s knowledge levels. At the completion of the course, students take a final exam. A grade of 85% or higher is passing.

Modules reflect the most current technology capabilities and customer service practices in today’s most effective monitoring centers. (Scroll down for complete descriptions.)

  • Module 1 – Introduction to the Monitoring Industry
  • Module 2 – Technology
  • Module 3 – Effective Communication
  • Module 4 – The Monitoring Process
  • Module 5 – False Alarm Prevention
  • Module 6 – Industry Readiness and Monitoring Center Security
  • Module 7 – Monitoring Center Operator Code of Excellence

The states of North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama have accredited the TMA course for state licensing. Check back soon for accreditation status in other states.

Training Module Descriptions

Module 1: Introduction to the Monitoring Industry

Students will learn about the people, systems and policies of the professional monitoring industry with an emphasis on the important role of the monitoring center operator. The module will explore the roles and responsibilities of the people that play an important part of the alarm monitoring process. At the conclusion, the student will respond to various scenarios to practice contacting new connections in the industry.

Learning Objectives

  • Introduce the components of the professional monitoring industry
  • Identify and define the roles of the people operators will work with on a regular basis
  • Practice scenario-based exercises to contact new connections

Module 2: Technology and the Monitoring Industry

This module introduces the new operator to the need-to-know basics of how technology works in the professional monitoring industry.  The student will discover how communications systems support effective monitoring and will be introduced to the main components of an alarm system and how sensors, detectors and video work together at a protected location to save lives and property.

The student will gain an appreciation of the importance of technology to the advances in monitoring services.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the basics of how technology works in the monitoring center
  • Understand how communication systems support effective monitoring
  • Recognize the main components of an alarm system
  • Describe how sensors, detectors and video are used to protect lives and property

Module 3: Effective Communication

The operator will learn about the critical role communication skills play in the monitoring center. We will begin with defining communication methods and apply them to speaking with customers, emergency communications centers and your team in the monitoring center. The operator will also learn how to manage difficult and emotional interactions. We will examine customer services best practices and the importance of effective communication in the monitoring center.

Learning Objectives

  • Understanding the Communication Cycle
  • Applications of effective communication in the monitoring center
  • How to speak with customers, ECCs and your team
  • How to identify and manage difficult interactions
  • Your role in providing high-quality customer service

Module 4: The Monitoring Process

In this key module, the student will learn leading industry practices in the monitoring process. The operator is introduced to updated terminology and current best practices, services and technology for today’s professional monitoring center operators. The course will cover the common “go-to” resources for event handling and how the monitoring process works from start to finish. Included is an explanation of the procedures for alerting customers or other contacts about alarm system activations. The student will review and practice the top 5 event classifications and associated response methods. The module concludes with information about how to stay in compliance with industry rules and regulations.

Learning Objectives

  • The common “go-to” resources for event handling
  • How the monitoring process works from start to finish
  • Explain procedures for alerting customers or other contacts about alarm system activations.
  • The top 6 event classifications and how response methods differ
  • How to stay in compliance with rules and regulations

Module 5: False Alarm Prevention

At completion of this module, the student will understand what false alarms are and how they impact the monitoring industry. The module defines the difference between a false alarm and a false dispatch and explains how laws and policies effect monitoring center response. Most importantly, the operator will have an understanding of his or her role in combating false alarms.

Learning Objectives

  • What false alarms are and how they impact the industry
  • The difference between a false alarm and a false dispatch
  • Laws and policies regarding false alarms and how they affect monitoring center response
  • The Operator’s role in combating false alarms

Module 6: Industry Readiness and Monitoring Center Security

In this module, the operator will discover the importance of monitoring center security and readiness.  The student will learn about the different types of events that could impact monitoring center operations and the part operators play in responding to issues and maintaining operations to preserve business continuity.

Learning Objectives

  • Discover the types of events (man-made and environmental) that impact monitoring center operations
  • Learn about the types of best-practice behaviors associated with internal processes to maintain monitoring center security (from cybersecurity to responding to equipment failures)
  • Understand the role of the operator in identifying and responding to issues in order to maintain continuity

Module 7: Monitoring Center Operator Code of Excellence

The Monitoring Center Operator Code of Excellence is our industry’s commitment to promote and maintain the highest standards of professional and personal behavior in this very important role – the professional monitoring center operator. This module introduces operators to important attributes and core values that will prepare them for success, and explain how their role is at the heart of, and fundamental to, the professional monitoring industry.

Learning Objectives

  • Overview of the nine key principles associated with the Monitoring Center Operator’s Code of Excellence
  • How personal and professional behavior relate to professionalism in the workplace
  • To identify traits associated with personal behavior

View the Code of Excellence

View Course Demo

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