LakeComm 911 is modernizing its emergency communications workflow by implementing automated alarm processing through ASAP Service, reducing manual workload and improving dispatch efficiency across Lake County, Illinois.
The emergency communications center serves 30 law enforcement, fire/rescue, and EMS agencies and has integrated automated alarm notifications directly into its computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. The upgrade removes the need for telecommunicators to manually answer and process thousands of alarm calls annually, helping reduce delays and improve data accuracy.
Operational Efficiency Gains
Based on current projections, LakeComm 911 expects to process approximately 12,000 alarm notifications annually.
Prior to automation, alarm handling often required multiple phone calls between monitoring centers and dispatch staff. Industry estimates suggest manual processing can add two to eight minutes per incident, increasing both response time and the potential for communication errors.
With ASAP Service in place, LakeComm 911 projects it will eliminate up to 133 hours of manual alarm processing each month, freeing telecommunicators to focus on higher-priority emergency incidents.
What ASAP Service Does
ASAP Service is powered by the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP), an ANSI-accredited standard that enables direct digital transmission of alarm data from monitoring centers into emergency communications center (ECC) dispatch systems.
Instead of relying on phone-based communication, alarm data is delivered directly into CAD systems, reducing delays and eliminating manual transcription steps.
Implementation Approach
The system was implemented through Illinois’ criminal-justice message switch and Nlets, the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System network.
The CAD integration enabling direct dispatch automation was developed by Tyler Technologies, allowing alarm notifications to flow directly into dispatch workflows without telecommunicator intervention.
Leadership Perspective
“With ASAP Service, we’re immediately improving efficiency while helping reduce the workload and stress placed on our telecommunicators,”
said Jason Kern, executive director of LakeComm 911.
“When you look at the cost and time required to implement it compared to the operational benefits and time savings it delivers, the return on investment is almost immediate.”
“It was a very easy process to implement and integrate ASAP Service,” Kern added.
“The efficiencies are immediate, and the impact on operations is significant.”
Industry Perspective
According to Karen Carlson, vice president and general manager for ASAP Service at Mission Critical Partners, adoption of automated alarm processing reflects a broader shift in public safety operations.
“Emergency communications centers can no longer afford workflows that rely on manual alarm handling,”
Carlson said.
“ASAP Service gives ECCs a standardized and proven way to reduce delays, improve accuracy, and help telecommunicators focus on higher-priority emergencies.”
She also noted that smaller emergency communications centers benefit significantly, even with lower alarm volumes, due to reduced staffing pressure and improved operational efficiency.
Participating Alarm Monitoring Providers
As of go-live, alarm-monitoring companies transmitting via ASAP Service to LakeComm 911 include:
Alert360, Affiliated Monitoring, Becklar, ESC Central, Guardian Protection, Johnson Controls, National Monitoring Center, Quick Response, Rapid Response, Security Central, Vector Security, and Vivint.
The Monitoring Association is an internationally recognized nonprofit trade association representing professional monitoring companies, security system integrators, and industry service providers. Established in 1950, it advocates for the industry across federal, state, and local regulatory environments and supports standardized monitoring technologies.
ASAP Service, launched in 2011 as a public-private initiative, enables direct electronic dispatch of emergency calls from alarm companies to emergency communications centers.
It uses ANSI-accredited protocols developed collaboratively by The Monitoring Association and Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials to improve accuracy, reduce response delays, and streamline emergency communications workflows.
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials is a leading organization dedicated to public safety communications standards, training, and interoperability across emergency response systems.
Internal Links URLs
https://security.world/lakecomm-911-asap-automation
https://security.world/asap-service-cad-integration
External Links URLs
https://tma.us/about/about-tma/
https://asap911.org/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is ASAP Service in emergency dispatch?
ASAP Service is a digital system that sends alarm data directly from monitoring centers into emergency dispatch systems without manual phone calls. - How much time will LakeComm 911 save?
The system is projected to save up to 133 hours per month by automating alarm processing. - What problem does this automation solve?
It reduces manual phone calls, eliminates transcription errors, and speeds up emergency response workflows. - How many agencies does LakeComm 911 support?
It serves 30 law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies across Lake County, Illinois. - What standard does ASAP Service use?
It is based on the ANSI-accredited Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP).