The Monitoring Association (TMA) went live with its 93rd municipality to join its expanding Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) service network. The Kitsap County, Wash.-based Kitsap 911 (CENCOM) is the first agency in the state of Washington to implement the service. 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 emergency communication centers (ECCs).

“ECCs across the United States are increasingly implementing ASAP,” said TMA CEO Celia Besore. “The benefits of the service are significant in an emergency situation. ASAP actually saves lives by reducing response time when it matters most.”

CENCOM issued a press release detailing the benefits of ASAP to its community, writing, “ASAP will improve 911 response times for Kitsap County residents and business owners who have alarm systems. Previously, alarm companies called Kitsap 911's alarm line phone number to report a burglar or fire alarm, our telecommunicators received and manually entered all the information from the alarm company. With ASAP, the alarm information will populate directly into Kitsap 911’s Computer Aided Dispatch system.”

Vector Security; Rapid Response; United Central Control; Security Central; Securitas; Tyco (Johnson Controls); AT&T Digital Life; Affiliated Monitoring; Vivint; Brinks Home Security; National Monitoring Center; Guardian Protection; Protection One; and ADT went live on Nov. 9.

Washington became the 19th state in the United States to participate in the ASAP program.

Learn more about TMA’s ASAP service online at www.tma.us/asap/. //

The purpose of the award, according to ESTA executive director Karen Mackey, is to recognize the outstanding contributions made by a member to the electronic security industry through knowledge, expertise, leadership, dedication, and upholding the highest moral and ethical standards.

Art Beaver started Security Systems of America (SSA) in 1972, long before the electronic security industry even had a name.

Fifty years later, the business he started in a two-room office has grown to a team of 70 professionals headquartered in a new 20,000-square-foot building with a branch office in Johnstown. The firm serves Pennsylvania and the tri-state areas of Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia, providing a full spectrum of both residential and commercial services as well as central monitoring. SSA has been named to the SDM 100 for the past 23 years.

“Not bad for someone who never planned on owning and running a security business,” Beaver said.

Beaver attributes his long-term success to his family, many of whom are involved in the business; his dedicated long-term employees; and to always learning and evolving over the years.

“If you’re not open to new ideas, you can’t be successful … or stay relevant,” he said.

He also credits his growth to being involved with trade associations such as NBFAA, ASIS, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Electronic Security & Technology Association (ESTA). He was active in starting the Western Pennsylvania branch of the PBFAA and has served on the board of various industry associations. //

Richard Ginsburg, current president and CEO of Alert 360, will lead the combined company as CEO. Anastasia Bottos, current president and CEO of My Alarm Center, will serve as president and CEO of the combined business. Vickie Catina, current chief financial officer of Alert 360, will continue in that role for the combined company. Amy Kothari, current CEO of My Alarm Center, will step down and remain a member of the board of directors.

“Our first focus has always been on the customer,” Ginsburg said. “We believe the combined company will be better able to serve existing and future customers through increased investments in sales, marketing, and innovation. I am very excited to work alongside such a dedicated team of employees in order to make the combined company into a truly transformational industry competitor.”

Paul Triggiani, managing director of Invesco Credit Partners, said, “We believe the residential and commercial security industry is at a key inflection point with the growth of increasingly complex home automation solutions at the forefront. To succeed, industry players need significant size, scale, and financial flexibility in order to capitalize on rapid technological progress.”

Pathlight Capital is providing the debt financing for the acquisition. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will have one of the lowest levels of debt leverage in the smart security industry, providing it with significant financial flexibility. //

“Our Central Security team has been privileged and proud to serve our community for over 30 years,” said Dana Hurlbut, former owner of Central Security and Electronics. “What we began in 1988 as a one-man operation wiring security for builders in new homes has grown into a well-established, full-service security provider with 10 offices and technical staff. Thanks to all of our loyal patrons, we are now providing security, fire, camera, and access control services to several thousand customers, including our local government offices, educational and religious establishments, as well as numerous commercial and residential accounts. With an eye toward future growth, we are pleased and excited to announce that we are merging our company with Bates Security, a similar and successful family-owned business with offices throughout the Southeast.”

In the last two years, Bates Security also recently completed acquisitions of the Lyon Alarm in the Central Kentucky areas as well as Southtech Integration (dba Dynamark) in Jacksonville, Fla. Bates Security was No. 37 on the 2021 SDM 100.

“We share many of the same goals with Central Security, including a commitment to providing excellent customer service and cutting-edge technology options,” said Jeremy Bates, president of Bates Security. “My brother Bryan and I are excited to lead the company’s growth into new areas of Florida, Georgia and Kentucky, and the addition of Central Security helps further that goal. The Bates team brings additional resources and ideas that will further enhance the services of the Central Security client base in Lake Placid, Highlands and surrounding counties.” //

“I am excited to begin our operations in Virginia and to partner with Justin [Allbright] and his team at SAC,” said Ron Noel, operating partner of SAS. “We are tapping into SAC’s more than 40-year history of success in the alarm and low voltage industry and bringing white-glove customer service to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.”

SAC and SAS have launched a dealership business model whereby SAS will operate as a locally owned and operated alarm/integration company powered by SAC’s expertise, team, and resources in Florida. SAS will leverage SAC’s 24/7 security solutions center, 100-plus years of low voltage and life safety experience and financial resources.

“I am pleased to work with Ron to build a company that we can be proud of, that is focused on securing our communities, serving our customers, and investing in our team,” said Justin Allbright, president of SAC and partner in SAS.

Additionally, Security Alarm Corporation has purchased two companies: in September, the company acquired Alert Alarm Systems Plus in Sarasota, Fla.; In June, the company acquired Omnitech Communications & Protection in Bradenton, Fla.

Learn about SAS at SecurityAlarmSystemsVA.com. //