The American Alarm Story

Planning for the Worst: Active shooter in the building

Unimaginable a generation ago, mass shootings in schools and businesses across the United States are now a sad reality. To learn current best practices for preparedness and response planning for active shooters, 40 leaders from area schools and businesses participated in an interactive seminar titled “Keeping our Communities Safe”; organized by American Alarm and Communications on October 23, 2013 at the company’s Arlington, Mass. training center.

American Alarm Acquires Worcester Security Company

American Alarm and Communications Inc. today announced it has completed the acquisition of Sentinel Security Systems of Worcester, which has provided security services to homes and businesses in Central Massachusetts since 1995.

Beware of Unlicensed Contractors Offering Security

Brought to you by the Massachusetts Systems Contractors Association, Inc. Please click here.

American Alarm Donates
Medical Emergency Systems
for Veterans

Arlington, Mass. — Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray joined American Alarm leaders today to announce the company's new program to help veterans and their families.

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Our Security Team's
on Your Side

Whether you need a home security system or a complex business security system solution with life-safety, access control and integrated IP video systems, you've found the right partner in American Alarm.  For over 40 years, American Alarm has been providing peace of mind to our customers with our burglar alarm systems, fire alarm systems and remote video monitoring.  Our electronic security systems are affordable and effective. Read more about how American Alarm's Home Security and Business Security Systems can help to protect your home and businesses.

American Alarm Team

 

 

Massachusetts Selects
American Alarm

American Alarm has won a new three-year designation as a FAC64 preferred provider of security systems and alarm monitoring for public agencies in Massachusetts. Click here for more information on the FAC64 state contract and our Massachusetts Security System Services.

 
People and Property Saved

Gas Leak in Library

Report FA 10312013-1605

October 31, 2013 4:05 p.m. Belmont, Mass.

A fire alarm was received from a school library and firefighters dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival they found the alarm was triggered by a natural gas leak in the area. The gas was turned off, the area secured, and the utility company called in to make repairs. No injuries or other damage was reported.

Video Alarm in Worcester

Report VA 10302013-0902

October 30, 2013 9:02 a.m. Worcester, Mass.

A video surveillance alarm from a large vacant commercial property was received. The video clip showed two unauthorized youths on the site.  Police and facilities management were alerted. Upon arrival, police found the trespassers and escorted them off site with a warning not to return. No damage was reported.

Trapped in Boston Elevator

Report EA 10252013-1132

October 25, 2013  9:32 p.m. Boston, Mass.

An elevator alarm was received from a popular Boston restaurant and building management was alerted. Two patrons were stuck in the malfunctioning elevator. The pair was freed without injury and the elevator taken out of service until repairs were completed.

Robbery Suspect in Burlington

Report PA 10212013-0238

October 21, 2013 2:38 a.m. Burlington, Mass.

A hold-up panic alarm was received from a 24-hour service station and police dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they confirmed a robbery had occurred and the suspect had fled. Police have released a photo of the suspect and are asking for the public’s help. See the photo and read more here: http://goo.gl/cXmNwr

 

Medical Alarm in Worcester

Report MA 10182013-1954

October 18, 2013 7:54 p.m. Worcester, Mass.

A personal medical emergency alarm was received from an elderly housing complex in Worcester. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were dispatched to the scene and reported one resident from that address was transported to an area hospital.

 

 

Trespassing Teens in Billerica

Report BA 10142013-2257

October 14, 2013 10:57 p.m. Billerica, Mass.

An interior motion alarm from a public school in Billerica was received late one night. Police and school officials were alerted and responded to the scene. Upon arrival, police found several teenagers walking through the building. They had apparently entered through a door that was left propped open after an athletic event earlier that day. Police determined the youths had not forced an entry, nor done any damage, so they were escorted off the premises and turned over to their parents.

 

 

Break in Lawrence

Report BA 10132013-0104

October 13, 2013 1:04 a.m. Lawrence, Mass.

An interior motion alarm was received in the early-morning hours from a social service agency. No one should have been in the building at that time, so police and agency officials were alerted immediately. Upon responding to the scene police found a smashed window, but no apparent entry to the facility. Nothing was reported missing, as suspect(s) apparently fled after the alarm.

 

School Arrest in Billerica

Report BA 10122013-1742

October 12, 2013 5:42 p.m. Billerica, Mass.

A burglar alarm was received on a Saturday afternoon from an elementary school in Billerica. Police and school officials were alerted and responded to the scene. Upon arrival one individual was found in the building and arrested. Read more about the arrest here: http://goo.gl/8I2Cz5

Fire in Brighton Apartment

Report FA 10112013-1343

October 11, 2013 1:43 p.m. Brighton, Mass.

A fire alarm from the third floor of an apartment building was received and firefighters dispatched to the scene. An electrical short-circuit in a lighting fixture was the apparent cause of a small fire which was extinguished without widespread damage. 

Medical Alarm in Boston

Report MA 10082013-1753

October 8, 2013 5:53 p.m. Boston, Mass.

A medical alarm from an elderly housing complex in Boston was received. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were dispatched to the apartment and reported one resident was transported to a local hospital.

 

Suspect Caught in Leominster

Report PA 10062013-1700

October 6, 2013 5:00 p.m. Leominster, Mass.

A panic alarm was received from a gas station in Leominster and police immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, police reported taking one suspect into custody.

Credit Union Robbery in Fall River

Report PA 09302013-1310

September 30, 2013 1:10 p.m. Fall River, Mass.

A silent panic alarm from a credit union employee was received and police dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, police confirmed a robbery had occurred and a single suspect had fled. Police have released a photo of the suspect captured by the branch’s surveillance system. See photo and news report here: http://goo.gl/yeuY0m .

Steam Pipe Break in Lexington

Report FA 09302013-0739

September 30, 2013 7:39 a.m. Lexington, Mass.

Just before the school day was to begin, our Central Station received a fire alarm from a public school in Lexington. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and found a steam pipe in the building’s heating system had burst, triggering the alarm. Repairs were initiated. No injuries reported.

Medical Alarm in Weymouth

Report MA 09222013-1402

September 22, 2013 2:02 p.m.  Weymouth, Mass.

A medical alarm from a home in Weymouth was received and Emergency Medical Services dispatched to the scene. Upon reaching the person designated by the customer’s call list, we confirmed one resident of the home was in distress and being transported to a local hospital. 

 

Carbon Monoxide in Acton

Report CO 09222013-0257

September 22, 2013 2:57 a.m. Acton, Mass.

A carbon monoxide alarm from an industrial property was received in the early morning. Firefighters and facilities management responded to the scene. High levels of the deadly gas were detected. The building was ventilated and one machine was identified as the source of the gas. Repairs were initiated.

 

Patient Faints in New Hampshire

Report PA 09202013-0913

September 20, 2013 9:13 a.m.  Pelham, N.H.

A silent panic alarm was received from a medical facility in Pelham, N.H. and police dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, police found a patient at the facility had fainted and needed to be transported to an area hospital.

Medical Alarm in Boston

Report MA 09162013-0957

September 16, 2013 9:57 a.m. Boston, Mass.

A medical alarm was received from an elder services facility and Emergency Medical Services dispatched to the scene. Upon follow-up, EMS reported one person was transported to an area hospital.

Burst Pipe in Wrentham

Report FA 09112013-2257

September 11, 2013 10:57 p.m. Wrentham, Mass.

A fire alarm was received from a multi-unit residential building in Wrentham. Firefighters and building management were alerted. Upon arrival, they found a ruptured bathroom pipe had tripped the fire alarm. Water was shut to the unit and repairs initiated.

Car Fire in Chelsea

Report FA 09102013-0248

September 10, 2013 2:48 a.m.  Chelsea, Mass.

Several smoke and fire alarms, including a second floor pull station, were received from a multi-family apartment building in Chelsea and firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival they found an automobile engulfed in flames near the building. The car fire was extinguished and the building evaluated to make sure the fire had not spread to the structure.

Smoking Machinery in Framingham

Report FA 09052013-1253

September 5, 2013 12:53 p.m.  Framingham, Mass.

A fire alarm from a technology company in Framingham was received and firefighters dispatched to the scene. Our Central Station then contacted the premises and learned the building was being evacuated because of smoke. Firefighters confirmed an overheating motor in a building system was at fault. The machinery was shut down and repairs initiated. No injuries or other property damage were reported.

Carbon Monoxide in Newton

Report CO 09032013-1835

September 3, 2013 6:35 p.m. Newton, Mass.

A kitchen natural gas alarm was received and our Central Station operator called the home. The resident indicated she was cooking and was unaware of any problems. Firefighters were dispatched to the home. Upon arrival, they found a minor concentration of carbon monoxide in the home. The gas utility was called in to evaluate the situation.

 

Flooded Church in Wellesley

Report WA 09012013-0923

September 1, 2013 9:23 a.m. Wellesley, Mass.

During a torrential rain storm, a high water alarm from a church in Wellesley was received at our Central Station and church officials notified. Upon inspection they found water massing in the building. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene to pump out the water.

 

Fire in Bedford, N.H.

Report FA 08262013-1452

August 26, 2013 2:52 p.m. Bedford, N.H.

A fire alarm from a duct sensor was received from an office building in Bedford, N.H. and firefighters dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival they found a burning belt in a rooftop HVAC unit had caused the alarm. The unit was shut down and repairs initiated before any additional damage occurred.

Basement Flood in Lexington

Report WA 08262013-1336

August 26, 2013 1:36 p.m. Lexington, Mass.

A water detection alarm was received from a residence in Lexington. The homeowner was reached immediately and informed of the situation. Upon inspection, the homeowner found water flowing from an unknown source and pooling up in the basement. Water was temporarily shut off and repairs initiated.

Armed Robbery in Auburn

Report PA 08172013-0203

August 17, 2013 2:03 a.m. Auburn, Mass.

A panic alarm was received from a 24-hour convenience store and gas station complex and police were dispatched to the scene. Police arrived in minutes and confirmed a robbery, but the suspect had fled. Police are reviewing video images captured by the surveillance system during the robbery.

School Break in Dracut

Report BA 08142013-2136

August 14, 2013 9:36 p.m. Dracut, Mass.

A video intrusion alarm from a construction site at Dracut High School was received. Our central station operator viewed a clip fed from the site and saw two individuals attempting to pry open a door at the school. Police were dispatched to the scene and arrested two teenagers found on site. Read more about it in the Lowell Sun: http://goo.gl/rQC2Uw

Medical Alarm in Worcester

Report MA 08112013-1922

August 11, 2013 7:22 p.m. Worcester, Mass.

A medical alarm was received from an apartment complex in Worcester and emergency medical services dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival they reported one resident of an apartment was transported to an area hospital.

Customer Seizure in Brockton

Report MA 08082013-1441

August 8, 2013 2:41 p.m. Brockton, Mass.

A mid-day burglar alarm was received from a restaurant in Brockton. Our central station operator contacted the facility and learned it was a medical emergency and restaurant staff had used the burglar alarm to summon help. Emergency responders were dispatched. A customer was suffering an apparent seizure and was transported to an area hospital.

Factory Fire in Westborough

Report FA 08062013-0323

August 6, 2013 3:23 a.m. Westborough, Mass.

A fire alarm was received from a high-tech component manufacturer in Westborough and emergency responders dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival firefighters and facilities personnel reported a fire had started near some of the production equipment, but the area’s fire suppression system had engaged and extinguished the flames. Residual smoke was ventilated and repairs initiated.

Smoky Elevator in Arlington

Report FA 08052013-2025

August 5, 2013 8:25 p.m. Arlington, Mass.

A fire alarm from a multi-unit residential building was received and firefighters dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival they traced smoke to an elevator shaft in the building. An overheating element of the elevator equipment appeared to be the cause. The elevator was shut down and repairs initiated. No injuries or additional damage was reported.

What Our Clients Are Saying

“I just wanted to tell you that it was a pleasure working with your company... I will be sure to let my friends and neighbors know what a good job you do. — Sincerely, Grace G.”

Grace G

“Bill, American Alarm's first-class installation expert, provided outstanding service, from start to finish at our condominium building in Cambridge, MA. Bill's outstanding work ethic coupled with his determination to complete each phase of the project with impeccable standards speaks highly of your company. We are very satisfied with American Alarm's service and thank Bill for his superb efforts at a job well done. — Sincerely, David M.”

David M

“Rarely do most of us toss the phrase "exceptional service" around in describing a service engagement – but, I would like you to know that an exception exists time after time when AA sends Dominic to help at a Longyear facility. His knowledge and abilities coupled with his unbridled courtesy and professionalism when working with us is exceptional!!! Thought you might like to know. — Al, Longyear Museum”

Al LM

“I wanted to say how grateful I am that Central Bank has American Alarm as our security specialist. After our recent robbery in the Chestnut Hill office, both Central Station and the Service Tech were outstanding in their response to all of my questions and need for additional help in obtaining the necessary video disk for the Police and FBI. — Peggy D.”

Peggy D

“I wanted to take a moment to express how grateful I am that American Alarm was able to get me out of a difficult situation related to our construction project here at home. I wanted to make sure to communicate what a great job your team did. Their flexibility, experience and knowledge and were greatly appreciated especially in this difficult situation. It is this type of service that differentiates a company like American Alarm and why we remain loyal customers. — Sincerely, John M.”

John M

“Thank you for your phone call last week. I was in New York visiting my sister. I appreciate all you have done for my fire alarm system in Dedham... new panel and annunciator. — Best Wishes, Julie H.”

Julie H

““Dan worked hard and fast, knew his work and cleaned up well. Didn’t even know he was there! He was pleasant and had a great personality. He was wonderful!” - Mr. P. Bedford, MA”

Mr P

““Thank you for your prompt service in resolving our camera issue. Your service people went above and beyond. A special thanks to the 2 technicians and Dale. Sorry I don 't remember their names.” - P.C. LaBombard”

P.C. LaBombard

“"Once again American Alarm was invaluable with their outstanding assistances involving a violent crime investigation. Eric V. was an incredible asset to both LGH and LPD. The American Alarm Service Department’s willingness to get him to us in short notice was greatly appreciated." - B.P. Donovan”

B.P. Donovan

“"Good afternoon. Doug, your tech., was here today and did a great job. It was a pleasure working with him." -Paul T.”

Paul T

“"I want to recognize the service technician named Marty who completed a couple of repairs at the House recently. Marty was courteous, proficient and informative. I greatly appreciate his hard work and sensitivity to our mission and the families we serve." -Michelle L.”

Michelle L

“Rosa was phenomenal. She makes her customers feel at ease. She asked all the right questions and she stayed on the phone until we felt there wasn’t a robber in the house. I’m very, very happy. She was very, very good. This is what I love about you guys. I was with another company for 4- 5 years and I will never ever go back. You could raise your rates, anything and I still wouldn’t go back. - Matt H.”

Matt H

“Please be advised that I am very satisfied with American Alarm’s customer service as a new customer. John H., your technician who installed the system was professional, focused and neat! - Lucile F.”

Lucile F

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