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FARA Symposium 2012 Series-Day 2

The annual FARA symposium day two started out with a great session moderated by alarm industry folks.  This session was designed to educate public safety on what the alarm industry is doing to reduce the number of false alarms.  FARA is very fortunate that some major industry leaders are willing to get involved with its mission. Several of the panelists were board members of industry associations and actively involved in working at the national, state, and local level. There was a lot of great information provided, but one of the best things brought out was the value of Enhanced Call Verification (ECV) in reducing false alarms. If your state or locality doesn't require ECV, this is one change that can dramatically reduce false alarms.

Another issue mentioned was the problem solving that industry is undertaking to combat hurdles that new technology is bringing such as the dilemma caused by alarm users disarming a system with a smart phone before the alarm company has been able to determine if there is a valid reason for the alarm.
Contract clauses such as nuisance alarm, and excessive signal charges were mentioned as well that can be used if there is an alarm site that is a problem. Other things mentioned were programs sponsored by industry such as the Blue Santa program in Texas (police officer nominated assistance to families in need delivered by squad car with flashing lights, etc). The industry reps mentioned that if there is a need to please ask industry for help. It was reiterated several times that overall the industry wants to help.

In the second session, Vintage Security's Robert McDonald presented a workshop on new technology.  He illustrated that the game changer today is the smart phone. Mobile access is the fastest growing trend with more than 75% of access by customers is through a mobile app. This is a complete reversal since 2006 when pc access was tops. Home automation is expected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2010 to $9.5 million in 2015. Cellular connections will dramatically increase as well. The technology available now is truly amazing.

The President opened the Membership Meeting with a report of the activities from the year.  A special thank you was given to all of the Symposium Sponsors.   Without their support, the symposium would not be possible so I think it is worth mentioning them here:

Platinum Level Sponsor ($3000 or more donation)

Gold Level Sponsor ($1000 donation)
Luncheon  and Speaker Sponsors

Elections were held but I am going to let those of you who aren't here worry about what positions to which you might have been elected : )

Stop by later for more.




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