TMA Teams Up With AT&T to Support Alarm Dealer Participation in FirstNet

VIENNA, Va. — The Monitoring Association (TMA) and AT&T will work in partnership on the verification of eligibility process that will facilitate qualified alarm companies to use FirstNet services.

FirstNet is the dedicated public safety nationwide wireless broadband network, built and deployed through a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership between the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) and AT&T.

Since the inception of FirstNet, TMA, through the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC), has been working to support the public safety mission through standards based access to this nationwide public safety broadband cellular network.

FirstNet eligibility will be limited to those alarm companies that meet accepted industry standards for transmitting public-safety related alarms (e.g., robbery, burglary, unlawful intrusion, fire, emergency medical) to an alarm monitoring facility that confirms and verifies the authenticity of the alarm and notifies a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for relay to a public safety agency for the purpose of initiating an emergency response.

The transmission of verified public safety related alarms using FirstNet services helps first responders to quickly be aware of an event requiring their response to prevent the loss of life and property.

Companies interested in using the FirstNet communications platform for alarm transport will apply to TMA for a Certificate of Verification indicating that they follow recognized industry standards including the ANSI/CSAA CS-V-01 Standard (Alarm Confirmation, Verification and Notification Procedures), which is designed to minimize false alarms.

The alarm company would then present the TMA Certificate of Verification to AT&T as part of the process to assess eligibility to operate on the FirstNet communications platform as an extended primary user in support of public safety.

“I am very pleased to announce that TMA will be assisting in the approval process for security alarm companies to transmit signals over FirstNet,” states TMA President Ivan Spector. “This is a great step in helping critical monitored conditions be securely sent to first responders on a segregated network platform that is dedicated for the purpose of public safety when they need it.”

Adding emergency alarm alerts to the FirstNet ecosystem will bring an extra layer of support to public safety, explains Chris Sambar, senior vice president of FirstNet, AT&T. This helps first responders to receive the critical information they need to quickly respond to an alarm-initiated incident.

“But as public safety’s network, it’s vital that any communication allowed to transmit across the FirstNet communications ecosystem is in fact integral to the public safety response,” Sambar continues. “By working with TMA as part of the rigorous eligibility process, we can make sure that the alarm communications brought to FirstNet are relevant to and align with the public safety mission and truly serve on the frontlines of notification should a public safety incident occur.”

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