Briefs

UAS attains Five Diamond Central Station Certification BROOMALL, Pa. - Universal Atlantic Systems has received Five Diamond Central Station Certification from the Central Station Alarm Association. In order to attain certification, the central station’s 12 operators were required to complete an online training program from CSAA that concluded with a test. UAS operates a UL-listed central station and provides third-party monitoring services to 46 states. It is one of only 29 central stations to achieve Five Diamond Certification. Monitoring America adds pair of services TULSA, Okla. - Monitoring America Alarm Co-Op has expanded its offerings by adding two new services in mid-August. Ron Wies, general manager, said the central station now offers OzVision video verification and two-way voice services. To offer these services, the central station upgraded its dispatch work stations by installing new computers. Monitoring America is a national monitoring firm that handles 19,000 accounts. Approximately 70 percent of its customers are residential, according to Wies. SIAC endorses enhanced call verification FRISCO, Texas - The Security Industry Alarm Coalition has announced its endorsement of enhanced call verification in order to reduce the volume of false alarms throughout North America. Enhanced call verification involves central stations placing up to three calls to a client to ensure that an emergency exists before dispatching the appropriate authorities. “We’re talking about a 30 percent to 50 percent reduction in dispatches by making second or third phone calls,” said Stan Martin, executive director at SIAC. SIAC is working with individual cities that are introducing new ordinances or modifying existing ordinances to support enhanced call verification as a method to reduce false alarms.