The first county in Pennsylvania has gone live with the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). Bucks County joined the growing list of localities choosing to automate their dispatch processing for alarm signals. It’s an important program that helps improve alarm management practices.
SIAC stands strongly behind cities, counties and hopefully all 911 centers to get onboard with this program. Developed by CSAA and APCO, this program has been well vetted and proven valuable to all parties.
The protocol means Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), where local calls are answered to dispatch emergency personnel, can accept information between automated systems over a secure communication path, rather than just by phone between two people talking. This eliminates errors and speeds dispatch. That’s good for the jurisdiction, alarm users and alarm companies.
Bucks County is north of Philadelphia with a population of approximately 620,000 in 23 boroughs and 31 townships. One of the big advantages to the county picking up ASAP is that response transcends the borough and township boundaries. That simplifies response for all jurisdictions in the area.
Help us continue to publicize this positive step for our industry. The more electronic security companies share this information and work with other jurisdictions around the country, the more progress we’ll see in terms of updating and improving response. That’s good for everyone.