Delaware County, Ohio, is the latest municipality to go live with Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP), a technology that automates communication between alarm monitoring central stations and 911 centers, resulting in improved accuracy and speed of emergency response.
Transmitting data electronically speeds up alarm notification delivery and reduces the number of phone calls and processing time. It also eliminates human error or miscommunication between operators; all pertinent data goes directly to first responders within seconds.
In cities where it is used, ASAP delivers alarm notification information from central stations directly to public safety answering points (PSAPs) via computer rather than by phone, eliminating the need for communication between monitoring center operators and 911 operators.
“We are proud to be the first agency in Ohio to implement ASAP,” said Patrick Brandt, director of Delaware County Emergency Communications. “Our county recognizes the benefits ASAP will bring in terms of better protecting our communities and looks forward to seeing successes early on in this rollout.”
ASAP was created in partnership with the Central Station Alarm Association and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, with Vector Security President and CEO Pam Petrow co-chairing the steering committee. Vector Security was the first alarm company to use ASAP in the City of Richmond, Va., in 2012. Vector Security helped bring Delaware County online with extensive testing during the conversion.
“There are a number of Vector Security customers in Delaware County who will benefit from this implementation,” said Anita Ostrowski, vice president of central station services, Vector Security. “We hope the positive impact that ASAP will bring to Delaware County will encourage other agencies to adopt ASAP.
“As security provider, we seek ways to promote ASAP’s value to municipalities and public agencies, and help other alarm companies implement it for the greater good of the industry and our communities,” she added.
Bill Hobgood, an ASAP implementation consultant, said, “The ASAP implementation in Delaware County follows on the heels of Kernersville and Durham, N.C., going live with the technology last month. We hope the momentum continues as ASAP allows first responders to answer emergencies faster due to improved speed and accuracy of information transmitted.”
Other municipalities that have implemented ASAP include Houston, Texas; Washington, D.C.; James City County, York County and Henrico County, Va.; Tempe and Chandler, Ariz.; Boca Raton, Fla.; Cary and Guilford County, NC..; Kernersville and Durham County, N.C.; Denton County and Grand Prairie, Texas; and Morgan County, Ala.
