The Monitoring Association (formerly Central Station Alarm Association) News

The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) President Steve Butkovich honored four of TMA’s long-serving volunteers for their impactful contributions to TMA’s ASAP service with the 2024 Mel Mahler Award, formerly known as the President’s Award on Oct. 9th at the 2024 Annual Meeting in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mel Mahler Award The Mel Mahler Award is presented at the discretion of the TMA president in recognition of outstanding contributions within his/her tenure. The 20...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) had the distinct honour to recognise the exceptional contributions of longtime volunteer and pioneer Sascha Kylau, Vice President of Sales, OneTel Security, LLC. with the presentation of the 2024 Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award. TMA President - Steve Butkovich presented the much respected and esteemed volunteer with the award, TMA’s highest honour, at the 2024 TMA Annual Meeting on Oct. 9th in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Greatest contributors “...

The Orange County Emergency Services, Public Safety Communications Division became the 146th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and the 14th ECC in the State of North Carolina to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). Implementation of ASAP "The ASAP program provides our ECC with most accurate and timely alarm notifications possible while reducing the workload of our Public Safety Telecommunicators. The implementation of ASAP provides significant benefits...

The Buncombe County Public Safety Communications Centre (BCPSC) became the 145th Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) in the United States and the 13th ECC in the state of North Carolina to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).  Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s ASAP service is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls for service from alarm monitoring centres to Emergency Communication Centres (ECCs).   Agre...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce that National Monitoring Center has renewed the prestigious ‘TMA Five Diamond Monitoring Center’ designation. This designation is granted annually to monitoring centres that satisfy all of the requirements of the ‘five points of excellence’. Commitment to ongoing job-related education and testing by having 100% of its monitoring centre operators certified using the TMA online training series on industry best pra...

The Monitoring Association (TMA), the non-profit trade association representing the professional monitoring industry, announced it has signed a multi-year managed services agreement with Mission Critical Partners (MCP) to power the growth of TMA’s Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) Service. This award was made after a competitive procurement process. ASAP is the pioneer, standards-based service for the digital dispatch of alarm events to 911 centers. Since its introduction in 2011, AS...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce that David Charney, Chief Customer Officer (COO), Stealth Monitoring, has accepted the position of Co-Chair of the TMA Surveillance and Video Verification (SVV) Committee. Charney joins seated Committee Co-Chair - Wes Usie, Guardian Alarm Systems. An active member of the SVV Committee, Charney quickly came to recognise the enormous potential of the collective group of professionals. "It has been so valuable to have access to my peers to d...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce that ADT – Knoxville, Tennesse has received the prestigious 'TMA Five Diamond Monitoring Center' designation. This designation is granted annually to monitoring centres that satisfy all of the requirements of the 'five points of excellence': Commitment to ongoing job-related education and testing by having 100% of its monitoring centre operators certified using the TMA online training series on industry best practices. Commitment...

Elite Interactive Solutions, a remote video guarding pioneer using proprietary intelligence and integration to achieve proven crime prevention, is proud to announce the company has been named winner of the TMA Monitoring Technology Marvel Award. Established by The Monitoring Association in 2018, the Marvel Award recognises professional monitoring centres and solutions providers for the innovation and/or implementation of cutting-edge technology. Vying for the honour against two very prominent...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce Caroline H. Brown, President, Security Central, has accepted the position of Co-Chair of the association’s Five Diamond Committee.  TMA’s Five Diamond designation is granted annually to TMA member monitoring centers that satisfy all of the requirements of the five points of excellence. In her new leadership role, Brown will work to ensure the designation remains current and reflective of excellence in security monitoring....

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Randy Rickert to the Co-Chairmanship of its Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) Council. In this important role, Rickert joins seated Committee Co-Chair - Richard Flores, Puget Sound, in pioneering TMA’s Rickert is currently the Manager, Global Security Operations, Corporate Security & Business Resilience for Thrivent Financial. Standards and education “My organisation has been a TMA member fo...

The Glenview IL Public Safety Dispatch Centre and the City of Allen, TX Police and Fire Communications became the 140th and 141st Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) in the United States to implement The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s ASAP service is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls for service from alarm monitoring centres to Emergency Communic...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce Steve Butkovich, Chief Product Officer, CPI Security Systems, is its new President. He officially began his two-year term on Thursday, November 8th at the conclusion of TMA’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Maui, HI. Steve Butkovich recently served a two-year term as TMA Vice President serving on the TMA Board pioneering up to his presidency. He succeeds Morgan Hertel, Rapid Response Monitoring, Inc. Hertel will serve an additional two-y...

The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) President Morgan Hertel honoured one of TMA’s volunteer members with the Mel Mahler Award, formerly known as the President’s Award on Monday, November 6th during its General Business Meeting at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Maui, HI.  The Mel Mahler Award is presented at the discretion of the TMA president in recognition of outstanding contributions within his/her tenure. The 2023 Mel Mahler Award recipient is Mark McCall, Immix. ANSI/TMA-...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) had the distinct opportunity to recognise the exceptional contributions of Larry Dischert, JCI, on Nov. 6th during its General Business Meeting at the 2023 Annual Meeting in Maui, HI.  TMA President Morgan Hertel presented the respected and esteemed volunteer with TMA’s highest honour, the Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award. Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award The Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award, established in 1991 to honour its namesake, a dedicated pioneer...

The Electronic Security Association, ESA is pleased to announce Kevin Stone, COO and Executive Vice President of Doyle Security Systems in Rochester, New York, as the Association’s Chairman-Elect for 2023-2024. As the association’s current Chairman, John Loud, finishes his term. Kevin will serve as Chairman-Elect from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.  Drive for excellence “The future of a thriving ESA depends on a pioneer who can help drive excellence and embrace ou...

PureTech Systems Inc., a pioneering provider of advanced video analytics and perimeter intrusion detection solutions, is excited to announce its membership in The Monitoring Association (TMA). TMA is the premier organisation representing professional monitoring companies and security systems integrators in the electronic security and alarm industry. As a member of TMA, PureTech Systems strengthens its commitment to delivering cutting-edge security solutions by introducing its highly anticipated...

Interface Systems, a renowned managed service provider of business security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses announced that its Interactive Security Operations Centers (iSOCs) have received the Monitoring Association (TMA)’s prestigious “TMA Five Diamond Monitoring Center” designation for the 20th consecutive year. This designation is granted to monitoring centres that satisfy all of the requirements of the “five points of ex...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) welcomed the Seattle WA Community Safety & Communications Centre (CSCC), The Bell County TX Communications Centre, and the Crawford County Department of Public Safety, which are the 128th, 129th and 130th Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) in the United States to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s ASAP service is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tommy Whisnant to the Co-Chairmanship of its Government Relations Committee. In this important role, Tommy Whisnant will join seated Committee Co-Chair James Marcella, Axis Communications, in leading TMA’s state and local advocacy efforts and often partnering with the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) on legislative initiatives. Whisnant is currently the compliance manager for North Carolina-based CPI...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Matt Narowski, Vice President of Operations, Security Central, and Rob Raisch, Chief Architect & Team Lead, Monitoring Integration, Simplisafe, Inc., to the volunteer position of co-chairs for its Technology Committee. Narowski and Raisch succeed longtime Technology Committee Chairs Steve Butkovich, CPI Security, and Sascha Kylau, OneTel Security, both of whom are moving into new leadership roles within TMA....

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the addition of meeting and events professional Ms. Keely Daugherty to its team. She brings nearly 10 years of experience working in meetings and events for non-profits and membership associations. Most recently, Daugherty managed conferences on a government contract for the U.S. Department of Defense. Highest quality programming “For TMA, meetings play a significant role in the life of our professional community. Our members loo...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce that Anita Ostrowski, Vice President of Central Station Services, Vector Security, and David Holl, Director of Public Safety, Lower Allen Township (PA), will serve as Co-Chairs of the ANSI-proposed TMA Monitoring Centre Notification of Active Threat Standard (TMA-ATN-01) Committee.  Author's quote “Collectively, Anita and David bring a broad and diverse scope of knowledge and experience to their leadership roles for this critic...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) welcomed Dynamark Monitoring, Inc. to its growing list of ASAP-to-PSAP connected monitoring centres – bringing the total number to 29. Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s ASAP service is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls for service from alarm monitoring centres to Emergency Communication Centres (ECCs)/PSAPs. TMA’s ASAP-to-PSAP service Dynamark Monitoring, Inc. is thrilled to go live with TMA&rsquo...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of James Marcella to the Chairmanship of its Government Relations Committee. In this important role, James Marcella will lead The Monitoring Association’s state and local advocacy efforts, and often partner with the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) on legislative initiatives. TMA appoints new Government Relations Committee Chair James has been a valued member and volunteer within the TMA communi...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) seeks professionals from the security industry; public safety; emergency communications; schools; systems manufacturers; and others from large public/private management to participate in the development of its newly proposed ANSI standard – Monitoring Center Notification of Active Threat Detection (TMA-ATN-01). Standardised workflow As monitoring centres are increasingly monitoring shot detection, weapons detection, and manual lockdown notification system...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) Standards Committee has received confirmation that its TMA-AVS-01 Alarm Validation Standard has received official ANSI accreditation. Initiated in 2020, the standard provides a method of creating an alarm scoring or classification metric for unauthorised human activity detected by alarm systems. The alarm scoring will assist law enforcement with resource allocation and Call-for-Service prioritisation. Game-changing standard “I am extremely proud of the C...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of David Morgan to the volunteer position of co-chair for its Marketing and Communications Committee. A longtime TMA member and volunteer contributor, Morgan is co-founder of SD Marketing, a California-based marketing firm. Morgan joins sitting Co-chair Jake Voll in the leadership of the Committee. Advance professional monitoring “It is an honour and privilege to serve as co-chair for the TMA Marketing and C...

The Monitoring Association (TMA) welcomed its 119th Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the United States and its first agency in the state of California to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). The state of California became the 22nd state in the United States to participate in the ASAP programme.  Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s ASAP service is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls for service from alarm companies to...

The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) President - Morgan Hertel honoured two of TMA’s long-serving volunteer members with the Mel Mahler Award, formerly known as the President’s Award on Mon., Oct. 31st during its General Business Meeting at the 2022 Annual Meeting on Marco Island, FL.  The Mel Mahler Award is presented at the discretion of the TMA president in recognition of outstanding contributions within his/her tenure. The 2022 Mel Mahler Award recipients are Anita Ostr...