Echo has completed the first testing of its new automated alarm signalling transmissions between an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) and the Essex Police Control Room.
Over recent months Echo, with support from network providers BT Redcare and CSL, have set up resilient connectivity to handle alarm signals, enabling onward transmission to police control rooms via secure networks, as they become Echo-connected.
Working with the Banham Security ARC, its software provider Monitor, and Essex Police, alarm signalling traffic is handled between the ARC and Essex Police control room despatch desk via Echo. Banham now transmits confirmed alarm signals directly to Essex Police to check system resilience.
The NPCC estimates that police forces will save one to four minutes in responding to intruder alarm activations. In their experience ‘every second counts’ in protecting people, and time saved is crucial in arriving at premises. Their aim is to provide faster responses to alarms.
Echo is to provide this service on a commercial basis in any Echo-connected police area with a full service offer from early 2021.
The Echo service delivers on the NPCC’s ‘Police Operational Advice and Security Industry Requirements for Response to Security Systems’ 2020 which states, “Electronic Transfer of IAS and HUA activations will be mandatory with effect from 1st April 2020 where forces are able to accept such activations. Forces that are able to accept activations after this date will provide a six month period of notice to ARCs to enable connectivity between both parties”.
Chief Superintendent Ewen Wilson, Head of the Contact Management Command, Essex Police explains; “Essex Police is delighted to be involved with the Echo project. We have seen there is potential to reduce call-handling demands and police response times to an alarm activation. We’re encouraged by the recent testing.”
Martin Herbert, Managing Director, Banham Security says; “The technology offered by Echo will transform the way we respond to alarm activations. We have seen the benefits that Echo can bring in giving additional peace of mind to our customers.”
Martin Harvey, Director, Echo declares; “This has taken Echo longer than we had first envisaged when the project started a number of years ago. A number of people have given their expertise to Echo, enabling this successful beta test. I’d like to thank everyone and look forward to rolling the system out nationwide.”
Paul Miller, Director of AVR Group Ltd, the Echo hub provider comments, “AVR is delighted to have played a role in the development of Echo’s call handling service. The test is truly ground-breaking to bring efficiency over traditional call handling between Alarm Receiving Centres and Police despatch. As other Police Forces around the country become Echo-connected, the benefits of a more rapid emergency response will be realised.”
