The ECHO (Electronic Call Handling Operations) initiative, due to begin this month, is being put back to July. The industry bodies behind ECHO decided, after consultation with the NPCC (National Police Chiefs’ Council), to delay the launch of automated alarms signalling.
Before the coronavirus lockdown, as featured in the April 2020 print issue of Professional Security magazine, ECHO will automate what until now has been the telephone call from the ARC (alarm receiving centre) to a police force when the monitoring centre has a verified (such as by CCTV or human witness) alarm signal. The prospects are of gains in speed and efficiency by going digital, and cutting out the risks of that human telephone conversation, such as error over addresses; or ARC operators gaining a response by emotive language to win over a police call handler, rather than the actual evidence of a sensor or video.
Last month ECHO was due to run two forums for ARCs and others affected by the switch; due to the onset of the virus lockdown they were held online instead.
A statement released on behalf of the ECHO directors called it a regrettable but wholly appropriate step that accommodates the needs of all interested parties; delaying until the Covid‐19 pandemic is at least stabilised is eminently in the best interest of all parties.
As set out by NSI chief Richard Jenkins, pictured, in the opening talk of the first Security TWENTY 20 event of the year, ST20 Birmingham at the Hilton NEC Metropole in February, ECHO stands to increase efficiency and reduce errors. For example, an ARC has the prospect of feedback on the outcome of an alarm, whether genuine of false. Expect next to see fire detection signals passed to the fire service in the same way. Among alarm installers like others offering a security service, companies have sought to differentiate themselves in the market – Richard suggested to the ST20 audience that better management of URNs between installers and the police will indeed differentiate the approved (by an inspectorate) service market.
About ECHO
Behind ECHO – not for profit industry initiative set up in August 2017 – are the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), Fire Industry Association (FIA), Fire & Security Association (FSA) and National Security Inspectorate (NSI). Visit www.echo.uk.net.
