DeKalb County, Ga. has implemented Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) to automate communication between alarm monitoring central stations and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)/ 911 centers, resulting in faster, more accurate emergency responses for users of monitored alarms.

The benefits of ASAP for monitored alarm users and first responders include:

• Less phone calls to emergency response centers — alarm monitoring center data is passed to PSAPs/ 911 operators electronically within seconds and then provided to first responders upon dispatch.
• Quicker processing times — data doesn’t have to be input manually or communicated verbally, resulting in reduced hold times and faster responses.
• Greater accuracy of information transmitted — electronic transmission of data reduces chances for errors.

Monitored alarm users throughout DeKalb County will benefit, including customers of Vector Security and its authorized dealers.

Because ASAP delivers alarm notification information directly from the alarm monitoring centers to PSAPs via computer rather than by phone, all pertinent data goes directly to first responders in a process that takes only about five seconds. Many agencies using ASAP can expect alarm response times to potentially drop to as little as 90 seconds or less.

ASAP was developed in partnership between The Monitoring Association (TMA) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), with Vector Security President and CEO Pam Petrow co-chairing the committee. Vector Security was the first alarm company to debut ASAP in Richmond, Va. in 2012.

Vector Security assisted with implementation in DeKalb County by helping to conduct extensive testing prior to the system going live.

“We continue to see more and more PSAPs recognizing the value of this technology and implementing it in order to better protect citizens of their communities,” said Anita Ostrowski, VP, central station services, Vector Security. “As one of the pioneers of ASAP, our company is proud to play a role in helping more communities benefit from this program.”

Nationwide, more than 80 agencies have implemented, or are in the process of implementing ASAP. For more information on ASAP-to-PSAP, the new gold standard for alarm monitoring, read this.