Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/31793
2011 Central Station SOURCE BOOK PSAP continued from page 6 and efforts, the ANSI standard 2.101-2008 was developed and approved. UCC volunteered to get involved late last year when the Houston PSAP wanted to incorporate this new process.” Vector’s Petrow agrees the time is now for industry/PSAP communication evolution. Industry-evolving technology “is available to make trans- ferring information on alarms more timely and accurate. The electronic data exchange allows for a seamless transfer of complete and accu- rate information, creating effi ciencies in the PSAP as well as faster response to the alarmed premises,” Petrow said. “As an industry we need to stay current with technology and the improvements it can bring to how we service our customers.” UCC’s Gonzalez also points out fi nan- cial reasons for streamlining communi- cations. “In a period of economic depression and heightened budgetary awareness, this new process helps to control manpower costs for the PSAP and central station,” Gonzalez said. “Overall, it’s a much more effi cient means of utilizing important and critical resources for both sides.” Petrow said central stations have a lot to gain from joining the electronic data exchange program. “One of the most important features of the electronic inter- face is the ability to validate customer address and responding agency information in advance of an actual alarm,” Petrow said. “[Participating] central stations gain the assurance that the customer information is accurate.” Gonzalez feels that the more central stations that join the program, the better off the industry will be, and she called on central stations to contact CSAA to fi nd out more. “This CSAA process will be available to all security alarm “In a period of economic depression and heightened budgetary awareness, this new process helps to control manpower costs for the PSAP and central station. Overall, it’s a much more effi cient means of utilizing important and critical resources for both sides.” – Teresa Gonzalez, president, United Central Control companies that demonstrate their capability to meet the require- ments,” Gonzalez said. “I encourage other alarm companies and central stations to call CSAA for more information in sup- porting this industry initiative.” Other current next generation 911 (NG911) initiatives from the likes of Nice and MobileTREC, as well as technology partnerships between companies like SGS and Unifi ed 911 are also helping to auto- mate and streamline the central station/ PSAP relationship. Bonifas said that during this exciting Teresa Gonzalez era of quickly advancing technology, the industry was more than ready for change. “We want to deliver a higher level of technology … It’s exciting times. A hundred and thirty years ago we started monitoring alarms right around the time the telephone was invented. Shortly after that we started using telephones to call the police and fi re departments and that’s existed for over 100 years. It’s time for us to take the next step.” According to Hobgood, initiatives such as the Monitoring Station to PSAP Data Exchange Program and the ongoing NG911 efforts of the abovementioned companies will make for much improved emergency dispatch and security services. “NG911 has caused a movement on a lot of fronts. Traditional addressing as we know it today in relation to 911 is going to be replaced by GIS (geographic information systems) coordinates,” Hobgood said. “It’ll take a few years to get there, but the progress is going very well … If every- body gets on board with these initiatives, we can be so much more efficient.” www.securitysystemsnews.com SSN has the news YOU need! Don’t delay...get your FREE subscription today! www.ssnsubscribe.com 8 JUNE 2 0 1 1