Dear Readers:
Standardizing is not a well practiced concept in security. Yet, it is quite understood by all those concerned that the lack of standardization is
holding the industry back in many ways. The obvious, for instance, is product compatibility and strides are being made in that arena.
Another area where standards come into play, which might not immediately pop into your head, is licensing. Repetitive fingerprinting and other licensing provisions in various states also effects economic growth within the security industry.
Addressing this concern, the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) has completed work and gained an industry consensus on a Bill to be submitted in the early days of the 109th Congress. To be known as the Alarm Monitoring Licensing and Reciprocity Act of 2005, this Bill has been in development for several years to ensure that all segments of the alarm industry had significant input into its creation.
The AICC and the AICC-Political Action Committee is composed of the Central Station Alarm Association, the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association , the Security Industry Association, Ademco, Vector Security, the Security Network of America, and other interested parties in the alarm industry. AICC members want it understood that electronic alarm monitoring services are predominantly provided on a regional or national basis with facilities and operations in one state frequently serving a large number of customers in other states.
Being presented to the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress, the Bill further confirms that the security industry is an important contributor to public safety. Wording from the Bill reads: "Electronic monitoring in the United States protects a substantial segment of this country's infrastructure such as public utilities, ports, financial institutions, government buildings, businesses, and the homes of millions of citizens."
Lou Fiore, Chairman of the AICC comments, "The alarm monitoring industry has long been plagued by repetitive fingerprinting and other licensing provisions in various states which impose unnecessary expenditures of time, money and personnel resources on these companies. This also increases the cost to the customer, ultimately."
According to CSAA's Executive Vice President, Steve Doyle, the language of this Bill states that alarm monitoring organizations licensed or registered in a state that has adopted the Minimum Licensing Standard (contained in this Act) may provide such service in any other state or political jurisdiction without complying with additional requirements or restrictions. "This is a major step forward for our industry as many companies have to employ full time people just to keep track of individual state licensing requirements," Doyle adds.
Richard Chace, executive director and CEO of SIA, says, "This legislation is a milestone for our industry as it works to encourage economic growth while recognizing the need to have appropriate and viable regulations to help foster professionalism in the security industry."
AICC representatives have been in contact with various members of the House of Representatives and the Senate and have found a very favorable reception among members of Congress who are familiar with the issue. The AICC will now move forward to secure sponsors for the Bill.
