No, ADT does not automatically call the police immediately upon an alarm trigger. Instead, they follow a systematic verification process to confirm an emergency before dispatching first responders. This approach helps reduce false alarms, which can lead to fees from local authorities.
ADT's Alarm Verification Process
When an ADT alarm system is triggered, a series of steps are taken to verify the incident before contacting emergency services. This structured approach ensures that actual emergencies receive a rapid response while preventing unnecessary dispatches for accidental triggers.
Here's how ADT typically handles an alarm event:
- Initial Alarm Trigger: An event such as a door opening, motion detected, or a smoke alarm sounding activates the system.
- Verification Attempt (Immediate): If the alarm is associated with a service that allows immediate verification (e.g., through a smart app or specific monitoring protocols), an ADT agent will first work to verify the alarm. This might involve assessing live camera feeds or other sensor data if available and permitted.
- Contacting Premises and Emergency Contacts: If an immediate digital verification isn't possible, or if an initial app session expires, an ADT agent will attempt to call the premises where the alarm originated. Following that, they will reach out to the designated emergency contacts listed on the account. This step is crucial for determining if the alarm is legitimate or a false alert.
- Dispatching First Responders: Only after attempts to contact the premises and all designated emergency contacts fail to receive a response, and the alarm remains unverified by contact, will ADT dispatch first responders. Once an alarm is verified as legitimate (e.g., through confirmation from a contact, or if no contact is made after multiple attempts), an ADT agent will send the alarm information to the 911 center for appropriate dispatch of police or other emergency services.
This multi-step verification process is designed to ensure that emergency services are called only when genuinely needed, prioritizing efficiency and accurate response.
