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ANSI APPROVES ALARM MONITORING COMPANY TO PSAP DATA EXCHANGE STANDARD
January 26, 2009, Alexandria, Va. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced today the approval of an American National Standard (ANS) to provide a standard data exchange for electronically transmitting information between an alarm monitoring company and a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
The intent of this ANS is to standardize an automated computer-to-computer exchange of data between alarm monitoring companies and PSAPs. This standard is highly recommended for all entities and agencies interested in implementing an automated exchange of alarm-related data in order to promote more efficient and effective public safety and data interoperability nationwide. It provides detailed technical data to software providers who support computer aided dispatch (CAD) systems or alarm monitoring applications concerning the common data elements and structure that shall be utilized when electronically transmitting a new alarm event from an alarm monitoring company to a PSAP. The document includes process flow examples that are necessary during the handoff of a new event, new event responses, and updates to working events between the alarm monitoring company and the PSAP.
There are three primary uses for this standard: initial notification of an alarm event, bi-directional updates of the status between an alarm monitoring company and the PSAP, and bi-directional updates of other events between an alarm monitoring company and a PSAP. The proposed standard is an Information Exchange Package Document (IEPD) that has been recently converted to be National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) 2.0 conformant.
“This standard is an ideal example of consensus development by all parties affected by an issue, collectively bettering the services we provide the public and increasing our public's safety,” APCO International President Chris Fischer said. “The focus is, as always, on the end-users and the effect will be improved dispatch and response times while increasing interoperability and cost effectiveness.”
This candidate ANS is a result of dedicated work and partnerships between APCO International, the IJIS Institute, York County (Va.) Emergency Communications Division, City of Richmond (Va.) Department of Information Technology, Richmond Police Department's Division of Emergency Communications, the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), and Vector Security. This project is supported by APCO International's Data Transfer Committee and The Public Safety Data Interoperability (PSDI) Program. The PSDI program and the IEPD conversion project were funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The PSDI program is co-managed by APCO International and the IJIS Institute.
The ANS was approved by ANSI on January 15 and can be downloaded at http://www.apcointl.org/new/commcenter911/APCOstandards.php.
About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.
About the IJIS Institute
The IJIS Institute serves as the voice of industry by uniting the private and public sectors to improve mission critical information sharing for those who protect and serve our communities. The IJIS Institute provides training, technical assistance, national scope issue management and program management services to help government fully realize the power of information sharing. Founded in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with national headquarters on the George Washington University Virginia Campus in Ashburn, Va., the IJIS Institute has grown to more than 240 member and affiliate companies across the U.S. For more information, visit www.IJIS.org.
About the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
The Public Safety Data Interoperability (PSDI) project is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance's Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program. BJA is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The mission of the BJA is to provide leadership and services in grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support local, state, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities. One of BJA's goals is to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. To achieve these goals, BJA's programs emphasize enhanced coordination and cooperation of federal, state, and local efforts. For more information, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/.
About the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA)
The Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) is a trade association representing providers, users, bureaus, and other agencies of UL-Listed and/or FM-Approved Central Station protection services. Since 1950, CSAA has represented its members before Congress, regulatory agencies on the local, state and federal levels, and other authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) over the industry. For more information about CSAA, please visit CSAA's Web site at www.csaaul.org.
About Vector Security
Vector Security is a leading supplier of electronic security, fire alarm, video surveillance, access control, personal emergency response services, central station monitoring and uniformed guard services to homes throughout the Mid-Atlantic states and businesses throughout the country. We provide 24-hour-a-day high quality protection for the things people cherish most in life, including their homes, families, possessions and livelihoods. For more information, visit www.vectorsecurity.com.
About the City of Richmond, Va.
Richmond is an economically progressive city of more than 200,000 citizens within its 62.5 square miles. As the capital of Virginia, Richmond offers a wealth of amenities not easily found among other municipalities. Richmond's complete livability can be measured in its beautiful neighborhoods with striking architecture, vast cultural and educational heritage, and historic prominence tracing back to the early English settlers. Nationally recognized for its vitality and New Economy embrace, Richmond's diversified employment base extends from chemical, food and tobacco manufacturing to biotechnology, semiconductors and high-tech fibers. The city consistently ranks among “Best Places to Live and Work in America” in several national publications. For more information, visit www.RichmondGov.com.
About the County of York, Va.
York County has played a major role in the development of this nation. Most importantly, it was the location of the culminating battle of the Revolutionary War and the subsequent surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his British Army on October 19, 1781. York County has ranked in the top two percent of best counties in a nation-wide quality-of-life study conducted by American City Business Journals, Inc. York County is home to nearly 65,000 citizens within its 108 square miles on a peninsula formed by the James and York Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, and is part of the Hampton Roads region. York County is best defined by its quality of life. Mild temperatures, a low crime rate, hundreds of miles of coastline, and abundant flora and fauna contribute to the county's reputation as a desirable place to live. For more information, visit www.yorkcounty.gov.
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