Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response
TMA-AVS-01 Alarm Validation Scoring Standard
TMA-AVS-01 Alarm Validation Scoring Standard History
The genesis of the idea of an alarm classification process began at PPVAR. PPVAR began collaborating with The Monitoring Association (TMA) to create an intrusion alarm classification ANSI standard. As an ANSI Accredited Standards Development Organization, TMA often serves as the lead organization for the development of various standards impacting the security monitoring industry.
Invitations were sent to join the TMA Alarm Validation Scoring Standard (AVS-01) committee, which resulted in the inclusion of stakeholders from Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Emergency Communications, the Electronic Security and Monitoring Industries, Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories and consultants to these fields.
After approximately two years of work by this diverse group of stakeholders and internal and public comment required by the ANSI process, the AVS-01 Standard received ANSI approval in January 2023,
Click here for the approved ANSI TMA-AVS -01 Alarm Validation Scoring Standard TMA-AVS-01-2023-Rev-1
About the TMA-AVS-01 Alarm Validation Scoring Standard
AVS (Alarm Validation Scoring) is an intrusion alarm classification standard. The standard defines intrusion alarms based on various threat levels and the process to determine the alarm level. This process can be done manually by a central station operator or can be adapted by automation providers or other parties for automated processing. It also includes language on communicating these classified or scored alarms to Public Safety through Emergency Communication centers (ECCs/911) as well as language regarding compliance for alarm monitoring centers.
There are five alarm levels:
0
Alarm Level 0
No call for police response
1
Alarm Level 1
Police response request with no or limited additional information
2
Alarm Level 2
Police response request with confirmed or ‘highly probable’ human presence with unknown intent
3
Alarm Level 3
Police response request with confirmed threat to property
4
Alarm Level 4
Police response request with confirmed threat to life
Prior to AVS-01, video, as well as other verification technologies, played a large role in better situational awareness for law enforcement. If an Alarm Monitoring Center were to inform an ECC/911 operator there was video of the onsite presence of an unknown, or unauthorized person, police would likely respond with a higher sense of urgency, certainly with a different enhanced and informed awareness.
Following AVS-01, the key difference is that information will be passed along in a standardized format. Simply, if an unknown person that was unable to be verified by the call list is determined to be on site, that will always be reported as an Alarm Level 2. That report will include whatever added information is available that the central station operator is observing or had observed.
The benefit to the Central Stations is standardization of the observe and report elements as identified in the standard elements.
The benefit to Public Safety—including the ECCs/911 centers, and law enforcement—is improved information that can be applied to determining the levels of and logistics of response. Instead of an alarm notification that is generic without more detailed information, the AVS-01 scoring standard creates a scaled metric of observations for reporting. This process heightens what public safety refers to as actionable information. This further enhances greater credibility and confidence.
PPVAR Moving Forward
THE NEXT STEP FOR AVS-01.
PPVAR continues to participate in the creation of AVS-01 training for both the alarm industry and public safety and any refinements needed to the standard. This game changing ANSI Standard will benefit the alarm industry, law enforcement and consumers.
PPVAR Education Support Campaign
PPVAR is producing educational materials for Emergency Communication Center dispatchers and Law Enforcement First Responders so they will understand how the newly adopted AVS-01 Alarm Verification Scoring Standard (AVS-01) works and how to incorporate it into their everyday workflow and procedures.
We Need Your Help! PPVAR has begun a campaign to raise funds to support the development and maintenance of AVS-01 education and training. Be a part of this revolutionary initiative by supporting this essential education and awareness program with your donation.
For more information, contact PPVAR at Communications@ppvar.org
AVS-01 Standard Video Storyboard
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