Membership in TMA represents a commitment to the professional monitoring industry. TMA is the leading association that promotes and defends the interests of the professional monitoring industry. Our membership is comprised of companies spanning all industry sectors, including monitoring centers, systems integrators, service providers, consultants, and product manufacturers. Our mission is to position member companies for business success and their employees for career advancement.
TMA does this by delivering quality education and events, and through its leadership in government relations, regulatory industry advocacy, and standards development, as well as through our unique public safety relationships. The Association facilitates the exchange of information, including business best practices and technology awareness, providing a competitive edge to its members. Member networking opportunities are simply unparalleled in the security industry. As a member company all employees may take advantage of TMA benefits and resources.
TMA membership is open to all sectors of the security industry. Participation in the programs provide our members with the opportunity to network with not only those in the alarm monitoring industry, but also with users of monitoring services, providers to the monitoring industry, as well as companies that offer new and non-traditional monitoring services.
Why should your company become a member of TMA?
We protect your interests through Government Relations and Regulatory Advocacy
- TMA keeps you informed about legislative and regulatory actions affecting the alarm industry. Through the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC), TMA works to protect members’ interests in the area of government affairs and regulation. AICC retains attorneys and professional lobbyists to work with Congress and regulatory agencies to help insure that member companies are able to operate in the most effective manner.
- TMA coordinates with the Federal Communications Commission to protect and maintain the exclusive radio frequencies allocated to monitoring centers.
TMA represents member companies’ interests at Related Organizations.
- TMA maintains liaisons with government agencies and groups such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Sheriffs Association (NSA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and organizations in the insurance industry, as well as related groups such as the Electronic Security Association (ESA), the Canadian Security Association (CANASA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA). These relationships allow us to best represent the interests of our members.
- TMA partnered with APCO and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) to design and develop the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP), a national service that is the next generation for the processing of information from alarm monitoring stations needing emergency dispatch. ASAP is a fully-automated, computer-aided dispatch system which allows TMA members to communicate and exchange information directly with the 9-1-1 centers (PSAPs) without a telephone call or call taker involvement. Participation in this program is only available to TMA members.
TMA offers members top-of-the-line networking opportunities and top-notch education.
- Face-to-face networking and education: Members receive discounts when participating in any of the meetings below.
- Leaders in the industry come together at the Annual Meeting each fall, which features sessions on the industry’s future, market trends and other topics, along with exclusive networking opportunities.
- A mid-year meeting and trade show, gives members an additional opportunity to discuss issues and to chart TMA’s response to future challenges.
- The Fall Operations Management Seminar is the “can’t miss” annual event for monitoring center personnel to network, exchange ideas on industry best practices and learn about the latest technology and trends. Attendees to this meeting also have the opportunity to tour state-of-the-art monitoring centers.
- TMA’s online training for monitoring center operators and other center employees is the “gold star” in the industry. Members can receive up to a 40% discount with bulk purchases.
- Publications, both digital and print, are an important source of information for members. The Dispatch, a print magazine issued quarterly, and Signals, an e-newsletter issued weekly, include government relations news, profiles of award-winning monitoring centers, updates on programs companies can take advantage of to help them grow, and more. TMA also publishes the definitive guide to monitoring center burglar and fire alarm systems.
- Webinars and Virtual Product Reviews keep members up-to-date on the latest trends and technology.
- TMA wikis provide members-only information on state licensing requirements, best practices on disaster preparedness; hiring and personnel; monitoring center design; and signals format.
Members may take advantage of many complimentary communication options.
Our communication channels cross all media and reach viewers within both the security installation and monitoring business sectors. Share your successes and knowledge with TMA members and stay connected. The following complimentary options offer TMA members valuable exposure through publication and education.
- Dispatch Article – a subject-matter expert provides a non-branded, informational article on a timely technology or process with byline.
- Educational Webinar – a subject-matter expert delivers a non-branded, education presentation via webinar on a timely technology or process.
- Educational Presentation (delivered at TMA in-person events) – a subject-matter expert delivers a non-branded, education presentation on a timely technology or process. (Presentation requires submission and approval.)
- Blog Post – a subject-matter expert delivers non-branded, educational information on a timely technology or process.
- Member News/Press Release – News shared via Signals and Dispatch, as well as social media.
TMA provides you with forums to interact with others in the industry for your benefit and that of the industry.
- TMA is an American Nation Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards Development Organization (SDO), and TMA members have the opportunity to propose standards and to participate on standards-development task forces, thereby having a voice in the direction of the industry.
- TMA volunteer committees offer an opportunity for members to participate in areas of their special interest to help advance the association and the industry while making valuable networking contacts.
- Our social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn), function as an important platform for interaction between industry professionals and as new sources.
- Our ACCENT provides our members with an excellent forum to exchange ideas and solutions to common problems.
TMA provides companies with ways to differentiate yourself from your competitors
- The TMA Five Diamond Program, exclusive to TMA members who are listed/approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), provides a competitive edge in the marketplace by recognizing the commitment of these companies to excellence in employee education, customer service, operational standards, and the reduction of false dispatches.
- The annual TMA Awards program recognizes outstanding companies and personnel.
Membership Types
Listed Alarm Monitoring
“Listed” is defined as any firm, corporation, or division of a corporation located in North America, for which participation in the installation, service, monitoring, and response to burglar and fire and/or other related alarms constitutes a significant portion of its business, which operates a monitoring center that HAS been approved by FM, listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL), Intertek/(ETL) or other Association-approved NRTL.
(voting)
Proprietary Monitoring
A proprietary monitoring center may be listed or non-listed and provides alarm monitoring services for a company or entity that is not an alarm business. In essence, a proprietary monitoring center is its own customer, does not generate revenue for profit and are a support service to the business.
(voting/listed or non-voting/non-listed)
Non-Listed Alarm Monitoring
A firm, corporation, or division of a corporation, for which participation in the installation, service, monitoring, and response to burglar and fire and/or other related alarms constitutes a significant portion of its business, which operates a monitoring center that has NOT been approved by an Association-approved NRTL.
(non-voting)
Non-Listed Non-Traditional Monitoring
A firm, corporation, or division of a corporation, with non-listed monitoring services that are primarily outside of traditional fire and security monitoring.
(non-voting)
International Monitoring
Any business entity that offers security services exclusively outside North America, which may include installation, and/or monitoring.
(non-voting)
Associate
Any business entity/vendor that provides goods or services to monitoring companies (other than consulting services).
(non-voting)
Security Technology Services Provider
A company providing security services without their own monitoring center.
(non-voting)
Consultant
Any person or business entity whose only activity in the security industry consists of the provision of consulting services the professional monitoring industry.
(non-voting)
To Apply for Membership
For further information or to request an application contact:
Illeny Maaza
TMA, Director of Membership and Programs
Office: 703-660-4918
Fax: 703-242-4675
membership@tma.us
Or complete the Request Membership Online Information Form.
Notes
Change in Ownership
Membership is held by the company and is not transferable. If a change in the control of a TMA member company occurs, the member company may need to reapply for membership. Membership may be suspended during this time, if the application is approved, membership shall be reinstated. If not approved, membership shall terminate without refund.
Membership Reinstatement Fee
A lapsed or cancelled TMA member company who elects to rejoin the association within two (2) years, will be assessed a 10% reinstatement fee, are not eligible for new member specials or discounts, and may be required to reapply for membership.
Membership Term
Membership is annual and expires on December 31 each year. Renew online or contact membership@tma.us.
Watch our membership video and discover what TMA has to offer and listen to what our members are saying.
Why Join TMA
When your company joins TMA, you become part of the association that promotes and defends the interests of the monitoring industry, through its work in government relations, regulatory advocacy, and standards development.
