Protection 1 Enrolls in ASAP Program

By joining the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP), Protection 1 joins a list of monitoring stations seeking to increase efficiency and reliability of emergency electronic signals to PSAPs.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Protection 1 is the latest central station to join the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) program.

Developed in 2011 by Association of Public Communications Officials (APCO) and the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), ASAP is an initiative by the alarm industry to increase the efficiency and reliability of emergency electronic signals from central station alarm companies to Public Service Answering Points (PSAPs).

Traditionally, public safety agencies received life safety signals verbally, which may have resulted in addresses or other information being communicated incorrectly. Often the verbal communication process took several minutes to complete, which in life safety situations is critical time lost.

ASAP utilizes the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETs) to provide listed central stations a secure connection to PSAPs. The program replaces the telephone calls between the alarm company and the 911 PSAP call-takers, eliminating any hold times central station operators may have when making a dispatch.

“We have also seen substantial benefit in the alarm event history updates we receive from the PSAP on the outcome of the alarm,” Protection 1 Chief Information and Operating Officer Donald Young says. “This has created a better experience for our customers when they have an inquiry on an alarm event as we no longer need to call the PSAP for an update.”

Young notes that being a part of the program is a win-win for all parties involved because it improves the alarm communication process.

“We hope to see more PSAPs participate in the program in the future,” he says. It’s truly a win-win for both groups as we partner together to continue to improve the alarm communication process.”

CSAA First Vice President Pam Petrow is pleased at the momentum ASAP has gathered over the recent months, noting that more monitoring companies are coming online in more localities.

“[ASAP] is already active and successful in several PSAPs in Virginia, Washington, D.C., Houston,, Tempe, Ariz., and other areas,” says Petrow, who is also CEO of Vector Security. “We look forward to working with PSAPs around the country to improve the validation and speed of central station transmissions through the ASAP program.”

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