American Alarm and Communications announced it has completed the acquisition of Instant Signal & Alarm of Salem, a fire security and life-safety systems provider across the North Shore and greater Essex County in Massachusetts.

Founded in 1954, Instant Signal & Alarm (often called Instant Alarm) has grown to become the security systems and 24-7 alarm monitoring provider for more than 3,000 customers, including homeowners, municipalities and businesses large and small. The company also provides alarm monitoring as a service for several regional security system dealers.

“This deal was special,” said Wells Sampson, president and co-owner, American Alarm. “Two family-owned companies, who have known each other and worked together to improve our whole industry for so long, it was so natural and seamless to come together to better serve our customers into the future.”

Instant Alarm’s employees and the third generation of family ownership, David, Barry and Shawn Wescott, are staying on with the merged company.

“When our grandfather James Wescott installed his first alarm system in 1954, his goal was to take care of customers by protecting their homes, families and businesses. That family goal has never changed and never will, which is why we have decided to join American Alarm,” David Wescott said in a letter to Instant Alarm customers announcing the change.

The Instant Alarm team will continue to operate from their existing building in Salem.

“This is a great fit and another example of how we organize our company,” said Louis Sampson, chief operating officer and co-owner, American Alarm. “As we grow, we are careful to stay close to our customers. We are essentially a group of local companies with deep roots in their communities, who by coming together have more resources to serve customers.”