ASAP to the PSAP: A No-Brainer That’s Faster Than Fast Comes to the Rescue
If you haven’t yet heard about ASAP (Automated Secure Alarm Protocol) that delivers real time alarm monitoring information directly into CAD, technology lead Bill Hobgood broke down this state of the art system during this APCO 2019 session.
The presentation began with the history of the American National Standard (ANS) APCO/CSAA 2.101.1-2008 and the alarm monitoring company to PSAP CAD external alarm interface exchange in 2009. In 2014, ASAP was born from the renewed ANSI/APCO/CSAA 2.101.2-2014 APCO / CSAA Standard. Currently the 2019 standard renewal is in progress.
“As a former ECC staff member, alarm company calls were the worst calls in the PSAP and today with ASAP, alarm company calls are the most accurate,” Hobgood said.
The biggest takeaways from this presentation are the benefits to ECC’s from ASAP’s interface with CAD, which include:
- Reduced call volume. No more alarm company phone calls!
- The alarm company receives and creates an incident that is directly sent to the corresponding ECC for dispatch.
- Bi-directional response and updates between the alarm company and the PSAP that include location, responder information, alarm information, updates, and cancellations.
- Most major alarm companies and their affiliates are members of ASAP.
- Many CAD vendors already have interfaces with ASAP.
- ASAP is supported with no annual maintenance fee to the ECC.
“This new technology eliminates the need for alarm companies to physically dial into the emergency communications center to relay alarm information,” said Chief Jake Saur from Manatee County Emergency Communications, an ASAP agency. “They’ll now electronically send alarm info to the ECC, reducing call processing times and communication errors. We’ll also improve efficiency in dispatching first responders to the alarm.”
Hobgood was joined by Executive Director of The Monitoring Association Celia T. Besore; Retired Executive Director of The Monitoring Association Jay Hauhn; Tempe, AZ, PD Communications Technical Supervisor Chris Perry; and Little Rock, AR, PD Communication Center Kim Green, who fielded questions and provided their own positive experiences with the ASAP application.
