CSAA training heads north

VIENNA, Va.--Recognizing that training and education are vital to the growth of the security industry, the Central Station Alarm Association and the Canadian Security Association partnered this month to offer the CSAA Central Station Operator On-Line Training Course Level I and II to the Canadian security industry. Under the agreement, CANASA will sponsor and promote the two training courses to its members. Although some Canadian monitoring companies that are members of CSAA have already gone through the training, the partnership gives all CANASA members access to the program as well as discounted course registration. The program focuses on operating central station monitoring facilities, discussing communications with the Public Safety Access Points, false alarm reduction, equipment and industry standards. The feedback from the program has been very positive, said J.F. Champagne, director of education for CANASA. According to Steve Doyle, executive vice president at CSAA, the CSAA level I course has surpassed 2,000 operators trained, with more than 60 central stations now receiving the Five Diamond Certification distinction, which comes with completion of having operators certified. The level I course is currently available online for Canadian companies. Level II will be available shortly. As success is evaluated through education, it made sense that the two industry associations joined to offer the courses. "There is a growing demand for better training, which is one of the big pillars in the case of central stations," Champagne said.