Average Response Time

[Joe Lucia <joe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Does anyone here use COPS Monitoring?

We have been trying to figure out how they are calculating their
"Average Response Time" of 12.55 seconds.  They say "Our response time
is audited by an independent firm." (apparently on a yearly basis) but
doesn't say what Firm.  They did list the name of the auditor a while
ago but when we researched it we couldn't find that it acually existed
anywhere.

I'd like to contact that Firm to find out what the criteria is so I can
provide a fair and honest comparison to our own response time.  Wouldn't
you all like to see a comparison to know if 12.55 seconds is really an
acceptable "response" time or not?  Does "response" mean an actual
operator picking up the phone and calling to verify or dispatch on a
signal, or does it mean the operator simply "picked-up" the signal from
the pending alarm list?  Maybe you COPS dealers could request the name
of that firm from COPS for me?  I'd be VERY surprised if you can get a
straight answer from anyone, but there is no reason they shouldn't know
and tell you since they make such a big deal of it.  Even if you are Not
a COPS dealer, call them and ask.  Inquiring minds want to know.