Alexandria, Va. – Today, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International released for comments a Candidate American National Standard (ANS) that identifies revisions to the “Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP),” formerly known as the “External Alarm Interface Exchange.”

APCO/CSAA Candidate ANS 2.101.2-201x includes technical revisions to the original standard that are incorporated in the updated IEPD. The updated schema, version 3.3, has been tested successfully by PSAPs as well as by at least ten alarm-monitoring companies. The revision conforms to the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) and was recently inducted into the NIEM Hall of Fame.

“The revision to the alarm exchange is a significant step in enabling a more effective data exchange between PSAPs and the alarm industry. As more CAD and alarm automation providers take advantage of the ASAP program, the ASAP technical blueprint becomes increasingly important to the interface development process,” said APCO International President Gigi Smith.

The public review and comment period is an important step in the standard development process. This provides an opportunity for all interested parties to review and contribute their comments.  The draft standard can be downloaded for review at: http://www.apcointl.org/standards/call-to-action-review-a-comment.html. Comments must be submitted by June 2, 2014 to standards@apcointl.org and should include the name of the standard, line number in question, existing text and proposed resolution.