ECHO, short for Electronic Call Handling Operations, an industry body which works for faster police response to emergency alarms, was among winners at last week’s British Security Awards. The not-for-profit won the National Partnership Award.
The annual awards celebrate the achievements of UK private security industry people. ECHO’s win recognises its work on ‘a UK based project, with a customer or partner organisation, which showcases the capability of the UK security industry.’
As background, ECHO was developed in response to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) requirements for all Intruder and Hold-Up Alarms on police response to be electronically transmitted to police control rooms. The automation of alarm signal transfers provides residential, commercial and public sector premises with the fastest possible emergency response and improves the responder’s efficiency in handling emergencies. Replacing legacy voice calling procedures between Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) and police control rooms via secure networks is, say organisers, a ‘game changer’ for the electronic security sector. It’s taken some effort over the past four years – interrupted somewhat by covid – from industry stakeholder volunteers and the police.
Since ECHO formally launched in April 2021, four police forces have so far become ECHO-connected – the Metropolitan Police, Essex, Avon & Somerset and as at July 1, Northumbria. Those forces have over 200,000 registered alarm Unique Reference Numbers (URNs) between them. Ultimately, 1.5 million residential and commercial users of approved police response alarm systems across the UK will come under ECHO as more forces across the UK get ECHO-connected during 2022-23. A quarter of the UK’s approved ARCs are now ECHO-connected with more following in the near future.
Richard Jenkins, NSI chief and ECHO Director said: “It’s vital the professional security industry keeps pace with change and ECHO has demonstrated how bringing together interested parties from industry and the police, has improved and future-proofed the speed of emergency response by blue light services.
“ECHO demonstrates true industry collaboration thorough its association with the NPCC which has culminated in the development of an innovative technical solution and viable business model to meet police needs of delivering automated alarm signals into Police Control Rooms. Receiving the National Partnership Award is a tribute to all those within the industry and the police who have tirelessly contributed to the development of ECHO and are involved in its ongoing rollout. We are proud to have received this Award and as more police forces and Alarm Receiving Centres become ECHO-connected, the potential benefits of more rapid intervention of police responders at alarmed addresses are significant, not only for the police, but also the alarms industry in general and most importantly, for those in need of a police response to an emergency situation.”
For more on ECHO visit www.echo.uk.net. Pictured is Paul Miller of National Monitoring, right, receiving the award from sponsor Gerry Dunphy of IFSEC.
