HSM Receives “First Line of Defense” Award from NBFAA

Pictured from left to right with HSM’s “First Line of Defense” award are: George Gunning, President of the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA); Toni Brask, National Account Monitoring Specialist for HSM; Steve Walker, Director of HSM’s ProtectionNet Customer Service Center; and Steve Welsh, Vice President Corporate Services & Procurement.

Lisle, IL (April 2, 2007)—HSM Electronic Protection Services, Inc. (HSM) received “The First Line of Defense” Award at this year’s International Security Conference (ISC West) for its effectiveness of electronic security and life safety systems. In its ninth year, the award, co-sponsored by SDM Magazine and the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA), honors dealers, central stations and emergency authorities that have demonstrated outstanding performance in deterring, detecting or preventing crime and/or loss through the effective design, use and response to security and fire alarm systems.

According to the NBFAA in reviewing the hundreds of entries for this year’s award, “HSM’s central station operators persevered with police to catch suspects who had broken into one of HSM’s national account customers, The Sports Authority in Houston, Texas.”

“A dramatic loss was averted because of the installation and monitoring of HSM’s systems, which underscores the tangible values and honors the teamwork among HSM, its central station and Houston’s emergency authorities in protecting The Sports Authority and the surrounding community.”

In acknowledging the award, Timothy Whall, Chief Operating Officer, Stanley Convergent Security Solutions/U.S. Systems Integration & Monitoring, which includes HSM, stated “We are thrilled to be honored with this prestigious award and thank SDM and the NBFAA for the recognition.

“There are a lot of talented people at HSM,” continued Whall. “The customer service aspect of HSM’s follow-up to make sure we provide our very best during every customer interaction, and exceeding customer expectations, is the key to HSM’s success. We did that for The Sports Authority during this critical alarm event, but, most importantly, we do it for all of our customers on a daily basis.”

Allan Watters, Director of Asset Protection Operations for The Sports Authority, was very pleased with the incident’s outcome. “Both HSM’s response time and attention to detail were outstanding,” Watters states. “Their dispatcher went above and beyond the call of duty by maintaining contact with both the Houston Police Department and our store personnel. Seconds count when it comes to a proper dispatch — with this incident, HSM’s dispatchers’ sense of urgency was critical in apprehending the suspects.”

“Winning this award is a true example of why businesses choose a reliable security provider. They have an alarm to detect an intrusion, but it’s the response to that intrusion that truly matters. The response is really what makes the difference and HSM’s professional monitoring team made the difference in this instance,” stated Tony Byerly, HSM Sr. Vice President Sales and National Accounts.

For more coverage and information about The First Line of Defense Award, view www.sdmmag.com.

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For more information contact:
Lynda Knott, Lynda@murphyknott.com
Murphy Knott Public Relations, Inc.
847-441-416