Traka Awarded GSA Contract
Traka Americas, a division of ASSA ABLOY Global, has been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) contract for their electronic key cabinets. This achievement allows government agencies and organizations to purchase Traka solutions at a contracted price under GSA contract number 47QTCA24D0095.
Traka's electronic key cabinets offer a comprehensive solution for key and asset control, providing enhanced security, accountability, and efficiency for government facilities. Key features and benefits of Traka solutions include:
- Enhanced security with controlled access and auditing capabilities.
- Streamlined key management processes to save time and reduce human error.
- Integration capabilities with existing systems for seamless operation.
- Customizable configurations to meet the unique needs of government agencies.
"We are proud to offer our innovative key management solutions to government customers through the GSA Schedule," said Danny Garrido, President of Traka Americas. "Our products are designed to help organizations achieve greater security and efficiency in managing their keys and assets and now our customers have a faster way of obtaining these security upgrades at the Federal, State and Local government levels utilizing our new GSA Contract."
For more information on purchasing Traka solutions under the GSA Schedule, email Steve Atkinson, Government Business Development, at [email protected].
Grand Prairie, Texas, Completes ALCEA Traffic Lock Installation
The Transportation Services and Mobility department for the city of Grand Prairie, Texas recently completed a substantial project to replace the locks on their Intelligent Traffic Cabinets with a better and more secure choice. Turns out what they needed was only a few miles away with ALCEA’s Traffic Cabinet Locking Solution powered by ABLOY technology.
ALCEA is the brand formerly known as ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions - Critical Infrastructure. The ALCEA Traffic Cabinet Locking Solution has gained traction with transportation infrastructure departments in major cities across the United States. It was developed by Jerry Burhans, managing director for North America, and Michael Woody, manager of the ALCEA Competence Center in Irving, which shares a border with Grand Prairie. Now this access management solution is beginning to impact medium-sized communities like them.
Raul Perez, a 13-year transportation industry veteran who has served as Grand Prairie’s ITS Specialist for 2-1/2 years, said this installation project will protect all city signal cabinets from tampering and unauthorized access. Involving 240 smart locks, 210 high security mechanical locks and padlocks on all city traffic cabinets plus 10 message boards, 191 mechanical locks for all school flashing sign cabinets, and 20 Bluetooth keys is in step with the city’s policy of adopting proactive cybersecurity measures.
“Having control over who has access and when to our traffic cabinets was a major driver for this project,” he acknowledged. “We have not had people trying to force their entry into our cabinets, but we did have several occasions where contractors were gaining access to them without permission or notice. ALCEA was the clear choice for our smart lock needs, offering a solution that aligns with our requirements.”
Grand Prairie’s growth resembles the rest of Texas, the largest of the 48 continuous states. After an unprecedented boom, the U.S. Census Bureau declared it is now home to more than 30 million residents following a 43% increase from 2020 to 2022. That development in part led to the Texas Department of Transportation announcing a $142 billion investment in the state’s transportation infrastructure last August as part of a 10-year state roadways plan. About the same time the announcement was made, the city of Grand Prairie began researching options for a separately funded project to increase cybersecurity preparedness.
Morse Watchmans K-12 School Key Control Solutions
Morse Watchmans offers a full lineup of key control solutions and robust technology that is bolstering security at K-12 schools nationwide, improving security operations, reducing costs, and facilitating better response times after an incident. The Morse Watchmans’ Emergency Key Grab (EKG) Kit, which provides first responders with secure, fast access to keys in the event of a facility lockdown.
“Harnessing our specialized key management expertise, we’ve developed a comprehensive key control solution for K-12 schools that is boosting peace of mind for administrators, teachers, students and parents alike,” said Tim Purpura, VP of Global Sales and Marketing, Morse Watchmans. "Key management systems are a smart investment for K-12 schools, cutting security costs by preventing lost keys and controlling access for authorized staff. By deploying a centralized key control system, schools enhance security by ensuring keys are housed securely and are easily accessible to first responders.”
Using this solution, keys are stored securely in an electronic key cabinet, granting access only to authorized users with credentials. This allows schools to mitigate the risks of unauthorized entry or lost keys. Leveraging integrated software expands its capabilities, allowing administrators to configure access, generate reports, and receive notifications. Software can connect with other systems such as video surveillance and access control for broader situational awareness.
The centralized key control systems allow quick access for first responders in the event of a lockdown. Working hand in hand with Morse Watchmans’ Emergency Key Grab (EKG) kit, first responders will have quick access to keys during an incident, allowing faster response times when seconds count.
The EKG Kit includes the following technology:
One-module or greater KeyWatcher Touch System, an electronic key control system that stores facility keys in a key cabinet, only to be accessed by those with the proper permissions.
Morse Watchmans’ color-coded SmartKeys and KeyRings that track access to master facility keys. Colored red, these accessories are designed to be easily identifiable by responding personnel.
K-12 playbook hard copies and one-on-one educational training from Morse Watchmans.
For more information, visit https://www.morsewatchmans.com/markets/education.
Pool Gate Safety Tips
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 – 4 years, with an average of 11 fatal and 22 non-fatal drownings per day. In addition, 70% of child drownings happen during non-swim times. Childrens’ curious nature naturally draws them to the back yard swimming pool, and the majority of children that drown most commonly gain access to the pool area through a faulty fence or gate. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) has developed the five layers of protection to help reduce the risk of child drowning.
The first layer, and most important, layer is a barrier that limits access to the pool area. Fencing provides a barrier that works 24/7, but a fence is only effective if the gate and gate hardware are in good working order – a properly functioning gate can help prevent drownings. Checking the pool gate is vital to drowning prevention, yet only 30% of pool owners check the safety of their pool gate once a year. Recognizing the need to create awareness of this problem and provide education on how to check and maintain a pool gate, D&D Technologies has brought together the NDPA and several non-profit organizations to establish the Check Your Pool Gate Month (beginning the first day of May but valuable all year).
Check Your Pool Gate Month was created to remind pool owners of the vital need to ensure pool fences, gates, latches and hinges are secure and in top working order, with the aim to reduce child drownings by making it harder for them to access the pool. Every pool owner should be confident they have a safe swimming zone. For every 1 child that drowns, another 7 experience a non-fatal drowning – 40% of these children require further care. A few minutes is all it takes for pool owners to check their pool fence and gate, and this simple routine done regularly could help save the life of a child.
Pool Gate Safety Checklist:
Gate should open outwards, away from the pool
Gate latch release knob should be out of reach of children under 5. (check local codes/standards from minimum requirements)
Fence should be at a minimum height to comply with your region and encompass the pool area. (check local codes/standards for minimum requirements)
Maximum clearance from finished ground surface is no more than 4” (100mm)
Fence perimeter must have adequate distance from other climbable objects or structures
Gate must be self-closing and self-latching
Gate hinges are reliable, self-closing, tension-adjustable, rust free and bind free
Gate latch must be adjustable for height and width
Gate latch cannot be key locked in the “open” position
Gate latch cannot be opened using implements or force
Gate will shut and latch securely from any position, including from resting on the latching mechanism
Gate complies with all relevant United States Codes/Standards and legislation for pool safety
If new or replacement gate hardware is needed, D&D recommends its D&D MagnaLatch safety gate latch and TruClose safety gate hinge, which meet all international and local pool safety codes, as well as fulfill all the safety checklist’s requirements. The MagnaLatch is a reliable, adjustable and magnetically triggered self-latching safety gate latch. TruClose are self-closing, adjustable, polymer safety gate hinges.
The MagnaLatch ALERT is D&D’s latest pool safety innovation, providing both audible and visual alarms if the gate is left open or not physically latched. Pool owners can see at a glance and hear from a distance if their pool gate is not latched properly.
For more information, visit https://us.ddtech.com/pages/pool-safety-compliance and www.ndpa.org.
The Foundation for Advancing Security Technology (FAST) announced the winners of the 2024 Security Technician of the Year Awards, now in its second year. This prestigious initiative highlights the critical role that security technicians play within the industry, celebrating their excellence in the meticulous design, installation and maintenance of security systems that safeguard our communities.
“The Security Technician of the Year Awards shines a spotlight on the incredible talent within our industry,” said Ken Kocher, president of Force Security Solutions and treasurer of the FAST Board of Directors. “These awards are a way to recognize the outstanding work of security technicians and to showcase the significant impact they have on all of us.”
2024 Security Technician Of The Year Awardees”
Calvin Sprague, technician III, Stealth Monitoring
James Brevard, master installation technician and Trainer, ADT
Chris Gordon, level 4 security technician, SAGE Integration
Peter Gagne, technician III, Stealth Monitoring
Vanna Phan, electrical technician 4, M.C. Dean
Jeff Lane, fire division PM, Down East Protection Systems
Kyle Ackerman, installation technician, Everon
Anthony Jeffries, electrical technician 3, M.C. Dean
Harry Hoyte, senior service technician, Grid Squared Systems
Aaron Welch, head of hardware, Nexkey
NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., Amityville, NY, announces the promotions of several of its salespeople to management positions within the NAPCO Fire & Security division. “These changes in the management structure address recent and future Company growth, and will better support our customers, and diversified product groups, sales directives and long-term goals,” said Senior Vice President of Sales Stephen Spinelli.
The new sales team will be headed up by Duane Warehime, as VP of Sales, NAPCO Fire & Security, assisted by three Directors of Sales, Fire & Security: David Sperber, Southern Region; Troy Bonanno, North Region and Jim Pless, Sales Director for Security & Smart Home, focusing on Prima Self-Contained Systems. Warehime, based in New Jersey, can be reached at 631-786-5069, email [email protected].
Spinelli continued, "NAPCO has a lot of great new product lines, including more in commercial fire and residential security, along with its fertile core base, and we look forward to having the sales team geared-up to effectively and more efficiently introduce, train and support professional dealers and hundreds of distributor channel partners on them all.”
