ECHO's 200k Milestone
ECHO is delighted to announce it is now supporting almost 200,000 Intruder and Hold-Up Alarm systems on police response with URNs (Unique Reference Numbers).
Launched last year, following extensive development, ECHO provides virtually instant alarm signalling to police control rooms from approved Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) who remotely monitor premises protected by Intruder and Hold-Up alarm systems. Transforming the speed with which police can respond to confirmed alarm signals by replacing the legacy of manual call handling, ECHO is automating police alarm response to homeowners, businesses and government properties across the Metropolitan and Essex police areas, soon to be followed by Avon & Somerset Police and other forces getting ECHO-connected.
The vast majority of the signals from all Intruder and Hold-Up alarm systems registered with the Metropolitan Police are now being transmitted via ECHO’s automated signalling service. The police estimate ECHO increases the speed of ‘blue light’ response to emergencies by up to 4 minutes - helping them apprehend offenders and providing greater assurance to home and property owners - potentially saving more lives in critical emergencies where every second counts.
This follows the issuing of notice last year by the Metropolitan and Essex Police requiring ARCs registered with their Police Forces to transmit Intruder and Hold-Up Alarm Systems’ activation calls via ECHO.
David Mair, Manager - Security Systems Unit, Metropolitan Police Service commented: “The ECHO signalling service is without doubt the most significant technological advancement in the handling of Intruder and Hold-Up alarm signals between ARCs and police responder desks. Having become ECHO-connected ourselves last year, we are already experiencing the benefits of utilising this technology; not least, it enables us to effect a quicker and more efficient police response to premises in an emergency situation. As we work with the remainder of ARCs to conclude the connection process, we envisage all ARCs registered with us will be ECHO-connected in the near future.”
Stuart Bowman, Security Systems Manager, Essex Police said: “Having been at the fore throughout the development of this ground-breaking service we welcome the step change this milestone represents in improving police response times and the additional reassurance provided to the wider public who rely upon this technology. Congratulations are due to the industry and all of those ARCs who have become ECHO-connected to enable a secure and more efficient method supporting the deployment of police responders to incidents. Our work to facilitate ARCs registered with Essex Police to become ECHO-connected will continue to be a key focus until all are on-board.”
ARCs registered with the Metropolitan Police Service, Essex Police and/or Avon & Somerset Police (the latter planning to be ECHO-connected from April) yet to transmit alarm signals via ECHO should contact their alarm monitoring software provider and ECHO for assistance in getting connected.
Visit the ECHO website to keep up to date with the latest ECHO-connected ARCs: https://www.echo.uk.net or follow ECHO on LinkedIn by searching: ECHO (Electronic Call Handling Operations Ltd).
For further information email: [email protected]
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Press contact: Dianne Gettinby NSI Head of Marketing Communications
T: +44 (0)1628 764869 E: [email protected]
Editors Notes
Established in 2017, ECHO (Electronic Call Handling Operations Ltd) is a not for profit industry backed organisation delivering automated alarm signalling between the Alarms industry and the Police.
The BSIA, FIA, ECA and NSI have played key roles in developing and implementing the initiative. The launch presents a significant opportunity to facilitate more efficient use of emergency services, increasing call handling speed and accuracy, and police response.
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA), as the voice of the professional security industry, represents multiple sectors of private security in the UK. Its members provide over 70% of the UK’s security products, services and they adhere to strict quality standards. For more information visit http://www.bsia.co.uk
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) is the largest fire protection trade association in the UK with 850+ members. We are a not-for-profit organisation and a major provider of fire safety training. Our objective is to promote, improve and perfect fire protection methods, devices, services and apparatus. For more information visit www.fia.uk.com
The Fire & Security Association (FSA) is the leading trade association dedicated to companies who design, install commission, maintain and monitor electronic fire, emergency and security system. As a specialist group of the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and working in partnership with SELECT, the Scottish electro-technical trade association, the FSA is uniquely positioned to improve industry standards and enhance and develop members' businesses. For more information visit www.fireandsecurityassociation.co.uk
The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is the UK's most highly trusted and respected independent third-party certification body approving more than 1800 companies for a wide range of services in the security and fire safety sector. For 50 years NSI has been protecting businesses, homeowners and the general public providing rigorous auditing through its highly trained, in-house team of experts. Buyers of security services who choose NSI approved companies can be assured of security and fire safety services delivered to British and International Standards and Industry Codes of Practice, by businesses committed to quality. For more information visit: www.nsi.org.uk