Direct-to-Dispatch Monitoring: Why Every Second Counts in Fire Response

In a fire emergency, every second counts. Traditional fire alarm monitoring can involve multiple handoffs before first responders are dispatched. FMC’s direct-to-dispatch monitoring, powered by OPEN ACCESS™, eliminates these delays — ensuring that fire departments receive signals instantly.
________________________________________
The Problem With Traditional Alarm Monitoring

Conventional monitoring follows this path:
1. Alarm activates
2. Signal sent to monitoring station
3. Operator receives alarm
4. Operator calls the 911 dispatch centre
5. Dispatcher creates an incident and sends responders
This process can add critical minutes of delay when lives and property are on the line.
________________________________________

How Direct-to-Dispatch Works

With OPEN ACCESS™, the process is streamlined:
1. Alarm activates
2. Signal sent to FMC’s ULC-S561 certified centre
3. Signal delivered directly to 911 dispatch software — bypassing phone calls
4. Fire department dispatched immediately
The result? Faster, more reliable emergency response.
________________________________________
Benefits of Direct-to-Dispatch Monitoring

• Reduced Response Times → Seconds and more often, minutes saved can mean lives saved.
• Elimination of Human Error → No risk of miscommunication between operators and dispatchers.
• Improved Firefighter Readiness → Fire departments get alarm details in real-time, including building info.
• Lower False Alarm Impact → Advanced filtering ensures only true fire signals are escalated.
________________________________________
Case Example: Faster Response in Action

In Brampton (as per the Leber Rubes Study) FMC’s direct-to-dispatch monitoring helped cut response times by 2 minutes compared to traditional monitoring. For communities like Brampton and others across Canada, these improvements are critical.
________________________________________
Why FMC Leads the Way

As Canada’s pioneer in direct-to-dispatch fire alarm monitoring, FMC offers:
• ULC-S561 certified monitoring centres
• Partnerships with RapidSOS and municipal fire departments
• Nationwide dealer network to expand availability
________________________________________
Conclusion

Traditional fire alarm monitoring is no longer good enough. With FMC’s OPEN ACCESS™ direct-to-dispatch monitoring, fire departments receive alarms faster, communities stay safer, and compliance is assured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is direct-to-dispatch fire alarm monitoring?
A1: It’s a monitoring method where fire alarm signals go directly to 911 dispatch software — bypassing operator calls for faster response.

Q2: How much faster is FMC’s OPEN ACCESS™ compared to traditional systems?
A2: Studies like the Leber Rubes Study show reductions of up to 2 minutes in dispatch time.

Q3: Is FMC’s service ULC-S561 certified?
A3: Yes. FMC operates ULC-S561 certified monitoring centres ensuring compliance and reliability across Canada.

Talk to FMC today about upgrading to direct-to-dispatch fire alarm monitoring.