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Vector Security to Award Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) Scholarships for 10th Straight Year

More than $213,000 awarded to date to support loss prevention certification.

For the 10th year in a row, TMA member Vector Security, Inc., the provider of intelligent mobile security and automation solutions to homes and businesses, is accepting applications for its Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) scholarship program from now through March 31, 2018. Applications can be submitted via the Vector Security website at www.vectorsecurity.com/lpfscholarship.

The scholarships provide financial support to loss prevention professionals – or those who have an interest in loss prevention – seeking to obtain LPQ and LPC certifications. Vector Security began awarding the scholarships in 2009 in support of career development and continuing education for professionals in this important and rapidly-growing industry.

“We are proud to celebrate 10 years of partnership with the Loss Prevention Foundation to support the important and evolving profession of loss prevention,” said Michael T. Grady, LPC, Executive Vice President, Vector Security Networks. “As the security needs of multi-site businesses continue to change, including the need to integrate IT and network solutions into loss prevention more closely, it becomes increasingly important for LP professionals to stay current on industry trends and solutions. Continuing education and certification in this field will help LP professionals meet the challenges of their profession.”

“We value the contributions loss prevention professionals make to this industry and our commitment to this profession remains strong,” Grady added. “Through our scholarship program, we’re honored to assist individuals who otherwise may be hindered by the costs associated with obtaining this certification.”

Vector Security has awarded 209 scholarships totaling $213,220 since the program began in 2009. The scholarships cover all course and examination fees for retail loss prevention professionals who wish to obtain LPF’s Loss Prevention Qualified (LPQ) or Loss Prevention Certified (LPC) certifications.

“Hearing the stories of how our scholarships have helped people advance their careers makes me proud to be part of a company that cares about the industry as a whole, as well as helping individuals advance in their professions,” said Debbie Fisher, Vector Security Marketing Online Specialist, who has administered the program since its inception. “Every now and then, I will receive an email from a recipient who has just passed their exam. I love to hear about their success and the journey they took to get there. It’s not always an easy road, but their pride and hard work shows through in their accomplishments. It makes me happy to know we played a part in their story.”

In 2012, the scholarship program was expanded into Canada and will continue this year as well. A total of 10 LPQ and 10 LPC scholarships will be awarded to U.S.-based professionals, while another five LPC scholarships will be awarded to Canadian-based professionals.

Anyone currently in the loss prevention industry, or has an interest in the industry, may apply for an LPQ scholarship. Those applying for the LPC scholarship must meet certain eligibility requirements. Detailed information can be found at www.vectorsecurity.com/lpfscholarship.

Monroeville, PA to Cut Emergency Response Times with ASAP

On December 19, Monroeville became the first municipality in the Pittsburgh area to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP), a service designed to automate communication between alarm monitoring central stations and public safety dispatch/911 centers. Monroeville is the 32nd “PSAP” in the United States and second in Pennsylvania to connect with ASAP.

“Every second counts in emergencies,” said Monroeville Chief of Police Doug Cole. “With ASAP, we’ll be able to reduce call-processing times to provide quicker and more accurate emergency response to Monroeville citizens.”

Electronic data transmission results in the following benefits for residents and first responders:

  • Fewer phone calls to emergency response centers. Alarm center data is passed to public safety dispatch/911 operators electronically within seconds and then provided to first responders upon dispatch to the location.ASAP-Concept1D
  • Quicker processing times. Data doesn’t have to be input manually or communicated verbally, resulting in reduced hold times, less chance of human error and faster responses.
  • Greater accuracy of information transmitted.
  • More prompt action during natural disasters. It’s common for public safety dispatch/911 centers to be overwhelmed with calls during these types of emergencies.

Monroeville receives 2,500 calls at its dispatch center monthly. Historically, its average alarm response time has been between two to four minutes. With ASAP delivering alarm notification information directly from central stations to public safety answering points (PSAPs) and public safety dispatch centers via computer rather than by phone, the municipality expects alarm response times to drop to a minute and half or less. These benefits will extend across Monroeville police, fire and emergency medical services, and Pitcairn police and emergency medical services, according to Monroeville’s statement.

For more information about ASAP, visit tma.us/asap.

Source: PRNewswire

Vector Security’s Rick Simpson is New Chair of TMA Standards Committee

Rick SimpsonTMA, as an ANSI-approved SDO (Standards Development Organization), has an active Standards committee. This committee promotes and produces standards to help guide alarm companies in operating their monitoring centers within ANSI guidelines. Today TMA is pleased to announce the new chair of this committee: Vector Security VP of Technical Services Rick Simpson. A long-time active participant in the security industry, Simpson is known for working to safeguard codes and processes that are fair for labor, industry and the consumer.

Beginning his career in the alarm industry more than 30 years ago as a service technician, Simpson has held numerous technical services management positions within Vector. Today, he is responsible for the development of Vector’s technical product selection, installation and servicing protocols. He is NICET Level 3 certified and is Vectors’s technical license holder in more than 15 states.

Simpson has served as Chairperson of the ESA Standards and Fire Life Safety Committee for 7 years and has represented TMA on NFPA 72 Household Fire Alarm Systems. He has faced numerous uphill battles in fighting code development which would have been detrimental to industry growth.

Simpson says that initially he plans to continue the current focus on recognized industry standards including NFPA 72 and 101, and begin a review  of CP-01 and its impact on the alarm industry.

The Standards committee will be co-chaired by Shane Clary, Vice President, Codes and Standards Compliance at Bay Alarm Company. For more information on this committee, contact Bryan Ginn at TMA.

 

Onetel’s Sascha Kylau Honored with TMA President’s Award, for Leadership in Education, Technology

Sascha Kylau, vice president of sales at OneTel Security, was awarded The Monitoring Association (TMA)’s President’s Award for service to the alarm industry on October 11 at the 2017 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ.

Sascha Pam President's Award

Sascha Kylau (left) and Pam Petrow. 

“Part of TMA’s mission to provide education to our members that helps them meet today’s industry challenges. This year Sascha’s efforts as co-chair of the Technology Committee and member of the Education Committee have resulted in considerable advances toward that goal,” said Pamela J. Petrow, then-president of TMA, who presented the award. “He helped coordinate technology webinars open to all TMA members, spearheaded the Annual Meeting technology sessions that were a big attraction at our event, and assisted in the review of the Level 1 training course.”

Petrow continued, “Sascha is a valued member of the TMA community. As the representative of our associate member Onetel, his enthusiastic participation in the initiatives of TMA make him a real partner and well-deserving of the President’s Award.”

Sascha Kylau is the VP of OneTel Security and a frequent speaker and educator at industry events. He started as an engineer for Sur-Gard 20 years ago and has worked in the monitoring industry for his whole career. He is the current co-chair of The Monitoring Association Technology committee and is an active participant of the Alarm Industry Communications Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering.

“I would like to start off by saying thank you,” said Kylau upon receiving the award. “I am honored to be presented with this award by Pam Petrow. Not only do I consider Pam a friend but I look to her as a mentor; she has helped me to become the person I am today.  I have had the privilege of serving this association for the past 19 years. I will continue to bring my knowledge to the table and assist the association in its education as we move forward in a constantly-evolving industry.”

–Elizabeth Lasko, TMA, October 18, 2017

 

Newport News, VA Goes Live with ASAP

Alarm users in coastal Virginia city to benefit from faster, more accurate emergency response

ASAP-Concept1DOn August 4, Newport News, Virginia became the latest municipality to go live with Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP), a technology that automates communication between alarm monitoring central stations and 911 centers, resulting in improved accuracy and speed of emergency response.

Transmitting data electronically speeds up alarm notification delivery and reduces the number of phone calls and processing times at emergency response centers. It also eliminates human error and miscommunication between operators; all pertinent data goes directly to first responders within seconds.

In areas where it is used, ASAP delivers alarm notification information from central stations directly to public safety answering points (PSAPs) via computer rather than by phone, eliminating the need for communication between monitoring center operators and 911 operators.

ASAP was created in partnership with The Monitoring Association (formerly the Central Station Alarm Association) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO). Vector Security was the first alarm company to use ASAP in the City of Richmond, VA in 2012. Vector Security assisted with implementation in Newport News by helping to perform extensive testing prior to the system going live.

“Alarm users in Newport News, including several hundred Vector Security customers, will benefit from faster and more accurate emergency response with the implementation of ASAP,” said Anita Ostrowski, Vice President of Central Station Services, Vector Security. “We hope the positive impact that ASAP will bring to Newport News will encourage other major 911 centers in the nation to adopt this technology as well.”

“As a security provider, we seek ways to promote ASAP’s value to municipalities and public agencies, and help other alarm companies implement it for the greater good of the industry and the safety of our communities,” she added.

In addition to Vector, the following alarm companies are now live with ASAP in Newport News: Rapid Response, Protection1, Vivint, Moni, Guardian, and Affiliated.  ADT will be going live next week.

Newport News is the fourth largest city in size in Virginia, with its boundaries encompassing 69 square miles. Within Virginia, Newport News joins the City of Richmond, James City County, York County, and Henrico County, which are already online with the use of ASAP technology.

Other municipalities that have implemented ASAP include Rochester/Monroe County, NY; Houston, TX; Washington, DC.; Tempe, AZ; Boca Raton, FL; Delaware County, OH; Bucks County, PA; and many others.

For more information on the benefits and features of ASAP, visit www.tma.us/asap or www.vectorsecurity.com/asap.

 

Highland Park, TX Goes Live with the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP)

Town is the first to implement ASAP solution provided by Tyler Technologies for New World CAD systems

The Town of Highland Park, Texas, became the 22nd public-safety answering point (PSAP) in the United States and the fifth PSAP in Texas to join the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) program, a technology that automates communication between alarm monitoring central stations and 9-1-1 centers, resulting in improved accuracy and speed of emergency response. Highland Park went live with Vector Security on April 19, 2017. Within hours, other alarm monitoring companies also went live with Highland Park, including Affiliated Monitoring, Central Security, Guardian Protection Services, Monitronics, Protection One, Rapid Response, and Vivint.

ASAP was created in partnership with The Monitoring Association (then the Central Station Alarm Association or CSAA) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), with Vector Security President and CEO Pam Petrow co-chairing the steering committee. Vector Security was the first alarm company to use ASAP in the City of Richmond, Virginia, in 2012. The ASAP program is designed to eliminate telephone calls, mistakes and miscommunication between alarm monitoring companies and 9-1-1 PSAPs and has effectively reduced 9-1-1 processing time, enabling a faster response time by public safety.

“As a security provider, we actively seek ways to promote ASAP’s value to municipalities and public agencies, and help other alarm companies implement it for the greater good of the industry and the safety of our communities,” Ms. Petrow added.

The implementation at Highland Park represents another milestone for the ASAP program, with Tyler Technologies becoming the newest CAD provider to implement an ASAP interface solution. The solution is now offered for Tyler’s New World Enterprise CAD product line. Former Highland Park Chief Chris Vinson, who passed away unexpectedly in June 2015, was a proponent of law enforcement priority responses to verified alarms. He met with New World Systems prior to its acquisition by Tyler Technologies to gain support for Highland Park’s becoming the first New World ASAP interface deployment site to facilitate the rapid delivery of alarm notifications from alarm monitoring companies without the use of a telephone call.

“In an emergency, time is critical,” said Greg Sebastian, president of Tyler’s Public Safety Division. “With the ASAP program, call processing time is reduced, inaccuracies in alarm and location information are minimized, and 9-1-1 call takers stay available to answer emergency calls for service. We’re pleased the ASAP functionality in Tyler’s New World Enterprise CAD solution helps public safety personnel provide a rapid response to the residents of Highland Park.”

“Highland Park Department of Public Safety strives to provide the best in public safety service,” said Chief Paul Sandman, Assistant Director of Public Safety. “We continuously work toward leveraging technology in order to improve our response times for police, fire and EMS emergencies.  Our new ASAP solution allows alarm integration that increases the alarm communication speed to our communications center. The ASAP solution also frees our communications specialists to handle other incoming emergency phone calls.”

According to Bill Hobgood, nationally recognized ASAP program expert and a public safety IT project manager for the City of Richmond, Virginia, said, “The Highland Park ASAP implementation is a tribute to Chief Vinson’s vision and passion in the pursuit of technology for the benefit of law enforcement and increased citizen satisfaction. Hobgood added, “Tyler Technologies made good on that promise and fulfilled Chief Vinson’s vision. The job is done in his honor. Congratulations to both Highland Park and Tyler Technologies.”

The ASAP program is based on an American National Standard[1] developed jointly by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) now known as The Monitoring Association. The program provides a standardized method through the use of automation and the power of Nlets[2] to deliver alarm notifications to 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points. As a result, there is an increase in the likelihood of increased law enforcement apprehensions for crimes in-progress, fires quickly extinguished with minimal property damage, and could mean a life saver for a medical emergency patient when every second counts.

 

About Vector Security
For more than 40 years, Vector Security, Inc. (www.vectorsecurity.com) has been a premier provider of intelligent security solutions tailored to the needs of the customer. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, the company offers a full suite of electronic security services for residential, business and national account customers across North America and the Caribbean through a network of branches and authorized dealers. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Industry Retail Group (IRG), the company also offers customized managed broadband services that lay the foundation for unsurpassed business intelligence. Vector Security is a sister company of the Philadelphia Contributionship, a mutual insurance company founded in 1752, and currently provides cost-effective, technology-based security solutions to over 300,000 homes and businesses.

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, including those listed by a TMA-approved Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, such as FM Global, Intertek/ETL or UL. 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. TMA’s mission is to advance the professional monitoring industry through education, advocacy, and public safety relationships. www.tma.us.  For more information, contact Elizabeth Lasko at TMA, 703-242-4670 x 16.

About Tyler Technologies, Inc.

Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) is a leading provider of end-to-end information management solutions and services for local governments. Tyler partners with clients to empower the public sector – cities, counties, schools and other government entities – to become more efficient, more accessible and more responsive to the needs of their constituents. Tyler’s client base includes more than 15,000 local government offices in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and other international locations. In 2016, Forbes ranked Tyler on its “Most Innovative Growth Companies” list, and it has also named Tyler one of “America’s Best Small Companies” eight times. The company has been included six times on the Barron’s 400 Index, a measure of the most promising companies in America. More information about Tyler Technologies, headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at  www.tylertech.com

 

 

 

 

[1] APCO/CSAA 2.101.2-2014 ANSI Standard Alarm Monitoring Company to PSAP CAD Automated Secure Alarm Protocol

[2] Nlets: The International Justice and Public Safety Network

Guilford County, NC is Latest PSAP to Go Live with ASAP

ASAP-Concept1DOn January 26, the Metro Guilford/Greensboro, NC PSAP officially went live with the ASAP program.

“The addition of Guilford Metro 9-1-1 is a major project milestone and a win-win for the citizens and businesses of Guilford County, the City of Greensboro and the alarm industry,” said Bill Hobgood, ASAP Project Subject-Matter-Expert with the City of Richmond, VA, one of the two original ASAP pilot sites. “It is exciting to see PSAPs step up to take advantage of the benefits that the ASAP program offers, while generating greater customer satisfaction. Guilford Metro 9-1-1 is to be applauded.”

The Metro Guilford 911 administration and local media collaborated to inform local citizens of the benefits of the new service. Check out the news videos below:

The first alarm company to be connected to Guilford is Vector Security.  “We will be bringing up other central stations during the month of February with Metro Guilford,” said Hobgood.

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.

Implementation of the ASAP service is expected to surge in 2016. Interested PSAPs and alarm companies should contact asap@csaaintl.org for more information, or visit the ASAP website.

 

Shannon Woodman Joins CSAA Board of Directors Executive Committee

CSAA board member Shannon Woodman, COO of Washington Alarm in Seattle, Washington, is the newest member of the CSAA Board of Directors’ Executive Committee. She joins the committee at the invitation of the president, in the role of Special Advisor. Shannon Woodman headshot

“I am very excited to have Shannon join the Executive Committee,” said CSAA President Pam Petrow, President and CEO, Vector Security. “She has shown great leadership with her work as Chair of the Membership Committee and Co-Chair of the Owner Operator/Regional Voice of the Customer sessions. Her abilities to collaborate, be innovative, and communicate effectively are talents that will further strengthen the EC.”

As the 3rd generation in an alarm company family, Shannon Woodman grew up in the security industry. She came to work full time for Washington Alarm in 2000 as a sales representative and quickly worked her way up to Sales Manager. In 2011 Woodman officially took over day-to-day operations of the company from her father, becoming Chief Operating Officer.

“I am excited to be a part of the new leadership team at CSAA,” said Woodman. “We have a great group of people working hard to make effective changes that will position CSAA to provide even greater benefits to our membership.”

Woodman is a member of Security Systems News “20 under 40,” Integrator Class of 2010. In 2014 she received the Presidential Special Recognition Award for her work with the membership committee with CSAA. She has served as:

  • Board Member Seattle Executive Association 2005-2007 and 2008-2010
  • President of Seattle Executives Association 2009
  • Board Member and Community Service Chair of Seattle International District Rotary Club 2003-2007
  • Board Member of Seattle International District Rotary Club 2013-Current
  • President of Seattle International District Rotary Club 2014-2015
  • Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) Membership Chair 2010-Present
  • CSAA Board Member 2013-Present

Woodman states, “I believe in working on our business and not just in our business. I do this by attending seminars, listening to speakers, asking other people how they do things in their business, as well as meeting as many people as I can.”

Want to receive news from CSAA? Subscribe to our blog or sign up for Signals, our biweekly e-newsletter.

–Elizabeth Lasko, October 2, 2015

Pamela J. Petrow Named President of CSAA International

Pamela J. Petrow, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vector Security, Inc., is the new President of CSAA International. Her term will extend through October 2017.

Pam-Petrow[1]“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to lead CSAA during this period of transformation for the alarm industry,” said Petrow. “As president, I will build on our past successes, looking to transition the Association to meet the current and future needs of our members.”

Petrow says that her vision for her term focuses specifically on member engagement and membership value. “My objectives are threefold,” she said. “One, to improve membership value and relevance; two, to help our members position their companies for the future; and three, to grow membership overall.”

“I believe in the power and value of associations, and I also understand the challenges they face in communicating their benefits to members, both current and prospective,” said Petrow. “We have already begun a review of the structure of CSAA, because our members are diverse and need more customized benefits than they have received in the past. Over my term, CSAA leadership and I will talk to every member to discuss their individual needs and determine how to bring them relevant and valuable benefits.”

In addition, she said, “One of my biggest challenges will be to reawaken enthusiasm and participation among our members. We will discover new ways that every member can make a contribution, to volunteer and share in our association community.”

“We must build on our members’ passion and tap into their expertise to improve and advance the whole alarm industry,” concluded Petrow.

Read the complete release

–Elizabeth Lasko, CSAA, May 4, 2015