This designation is granted annually to monitoring centers that satisfy all of the requirements of the “five points of excellence”:

• Commitment to on going job-related education and testing by having 100% of it monitoring center operators certified using the TMA online training series on industry best practices. 
• Commitment to random inspections and quality criteria standards by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as FM Approvals, Intertek/ETL, and UL. 
• Commitment to raising the industry standards through TMA membership and participation in its activities. 
• Commitment to reducing false dispatches. 
• Commitment to the highest levels of customer service.

TMA’s Five Diamond designation means, in particular, that a monitoring company has demonstrated an exceptionally high degree of responsibility to their local community and their customers through investment of time, money, and commitment to quality operator training. Operators serve as the life saving link between residential or business properties and the police, fire, and emergency services in local areas. The TMA Monitoring Center Operator course covers virtually all phases of monitoring center communications with customers, police, fire, and emergency services communications centers. In order to achieve the Five Diamond designation, every operator must not only pass the course and recertify every three years, but also demonstrate:

• Proficiency in alarm confirmation process, which helps reduce false alarms. 
• Proficiency in communications with Public Service Answering Points, such as the Emergency 911 centers. 
• Knowledge of electronic communications equipment, including cellular, radio, and internet communication systems. 
• An understanding of the codes and standards of such organizations as Underwriters Laboratories, Factory Mutual, the National Fire Protection Association, and others. 
• Proficiency in the area of emergency preparedness under a wide scenario of possibilities. 

There are approximately 2,700 monitoring centers in the United States that communicate and interact with police, fire, and emergency services agencies. Of this group, fewer than 150 monitoring centers have achieved the Five Diamond designation, setting these companies apart. Check out www.tma.us.