Our History | Rapid Response Monitoring Services
1992 on exterior of brick building.

EXCELLENCE INSPIRED BY HISTORY

Russell R. MacDonnell, Chairman, and Jeffrey Atkins, President, founded Rapid Response Monitoring combining over fifty years of industry exp ... read more Russell R. MacDonnell, Chairman, and Jeffrey Atkins, President, founded Rapid Response Monitoring combining over fifty years of industry experience in the growth, management and operation of alarm and security companies. Today, Rapid Response serves an international client base of thousands of active dealers and employs hundreds of highly-trained professionals.

30 Years of Commitment

For the past three decades, we have been dedicated to serving Dealers who want to exceed the expectations of their customers and to continued investment in our people, technology and innovative programs. 2022 was the beginning of a new era of reaffirming our commitment to you. It’s time to redefine what’s possible in the future and go #ForwardTogether.

30 years graphic

Company History

  • 1992
  • 1994
  • 1997
  • 2000
  • 2004
  • 2008
  • 2009
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 1992

    Russell R. MacDonnell, Chairman, and Jeffrey Atkins, President, founded Rapid Response Monitoring Services combining over fifty years of industry experience in the growth, management, and operation of alarm and security companies.

  • 1994

    RapidLink released. Proprietary Dealer Access software. Subsequent versions include support for mobile computing devices.

  • 1997

    Palm Application released. Mobile connectivity provides dealers access to their account database wherever they go.

  • 2000

    RapidWeb released. Online Dealer Access service in real-time. Allows immediate access to account information and affords Dealers mobile reporting capabilities.

  • 2004

    New 40,000 sq. ft. Headquarters open in Central New York.

  • 2008

    Rapid Response awarded Best Practice Award in the category of Workplace Law and Work Environment by the Society for Human Resource Management (CNY).

  • 2009

    Rapid Response launches its LifeSafety Monitoring division dedicated exclusively to Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS).

    Rapid Response hosts RRUG Visioning the Future, a unique User-group event in Verona, NY.

  • 2010

    Rapid Response hosts RRUG Generation Next.

  • 2011

    Rapid Response implements stages™ processing system by SGS.

  • 2012

    Rapid Response releases RapidWeb3k Apps for Google Android™ and Apple® iOS®.

    Rapid Response launches AMBER (Automated Bench Test Response), a bench-testing system utilizing speech recognition technology.

    Rapid Response launches IRIS (Inbound Response Interface System), an enhanced processing platform for managing inbound calls, fully integrated with stages™.

    Rapid Response releases MySecurity Account, an online account management service for dealer clients.

  • 2013

    Rapid Response launches First Call Response, utilizing Natural Language Speech Technology by Nuance®.

  • 2014

    Rapid Response breaks ground for the expansion of Rapid Response New York from 40,000 sq. ft. to 75,000 sq. ft.

    Rapid Response breaks ground for Rapid Response California, a full-load and fully redundant monitoring center in Corona, CA.

    2014 Rapid Response releases RapidMobile, the Next Generation App for dealer account management.

    Rapid Response releases MySecurity Account Pro for users requiring access to multiple accounts from a single login.

    Rapid Response releases LifeSafety Monitoring Pro® App for users managing PERS accounts and requiring access to multiple accounts from a single login.

  • 2015

    Rapid Response releases LifeSafety Monitoring® App for users to manage their individual accounts.

    Rapid Response California Opens.

    Awarded the American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Worksite Gold Achievement.

  • 2016

    Rapid Response awarded the 2016 Central Station of the Year Award by The Monitoring Association.

    Awarded the American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Worksite Gold Achievement.

    Proud recipient of the Healthiest Employers of Upstate New York award.

    Security Sales & Integration Industry Hall of Fame Inductee: Russell MacDonnell

     

  • 2017

    In Rapid Response New York, a new Monitoring Center, Employee and Dealer Training Center, and New Training and Sales and Marketing office spaces opened.

    Rapid Response California expansion from 21,500 sq. ft. to 35,000 sq. ft. initiated.

    Honored by the CenterState CEO as an Economic Champion for employee growth.

    Initiatives in false-alarm reduction through Electronic Notification using Group Chat, SMS, Push Notification, eMail and post-dispatch automation.

  • 2018

    Thirty-plus integrations with services for personal security, lone worker protection, account and business management, home and access management and more.

    Integration with over 60 jurisdictions in the ASAP-PSAP Program.

    Released the Radius Portal for device and account management in the IoT sector.

  • 2020

    Launched a False Alarm Reduction Service with the release of rapidSMS, which reduces false alarms and dispatches by up to 40% and was honored by the Security Industry Association in the New Products Showcase 2020.

    As a strong proponent of ASAP-PSAP since the program’s inception, Rapid Response has integrated all fully active jurisdictions.

  • 2021

    TMA Monitoring Manager of the Year: Jonathan Rainbow

    TMA Monitoring Support Person of the Year: Michelle Quattrini

    Security Systems News 40 Under 40: Daniel Clark, Senior Account Manager

    SONITROL® National Achievement Award: Kelly Norton

  • 2022

    Rapid Response expands to Nevada with a 15,000 sq. ft. Customer Care Center located in Henderson, NV.

    Security Systems News 40 Under 40: Taylor Reilly, Account Manager

  • 2023

    TMA Monitoring Manager of the Year: Fiore Ayala

    TMA Monitoring Support Person of the Year: Brian DeCarlo

    SONITROL® 2023 National Achievement Award Administrative Shining Star: Kimberly Purcell

    Security Sales & Integration Industry Hall of Fame Inductee: Morgan Hertel

EXCELLENCE INSPIRED BY ASSOCIATIONS

Rapid Response is currently a member of the following organizations.

Electronic Security Association badge.
Alabama Alarm Association badge.
alarm association of greater st. louis logo
Gray and white ASAA badge.
Gray and white CAA badge.
Gray and white CAFAA Inc. badge.
Gray and white CASIA badge.
Gray and white Electronic Security Association badge.
Gray and white ESA of Indiana badge.
Gray and white ESA of Missouri badge.
Gray and white ESA of Virginia badge.
Gray FARA False Alarm Reduction Association badge.
Gray Georgia GELISSA badge.
Gray IESA Illinois Electronic Association badge.
Gray KYESA badge.
Gray LLSSA badge.
Gray Long Island Alarm Association badge.
Gray Maryland Burglar Fire Alarm Association badge.
Gray MFBAA badge.
Mississippi Electronic Security Association badge.
Gray MNESTA Minnesota Electronic Security and Technology Association.
Gray NCESA badge.
Gray NJAFED New Jersey Association of Fire Equipment Distributors badge.
Gray NJELSA Jersey Electronic Life Safety Association badge.
NYFAA New York Fire Alarm Association badge.
NYSESA New York State Electronic Security Association badge.
OBFAA Oregon Burglar & Fire Alarm Association badge.
OSFAA Ohio Security & Fire Alarm Association badge.
PBFAA Pennsylvania Burglar and Fire Alarm Association badge.
RASIA Regional Alarm and System Integrators Association badge.
TBFAA Texas Burglar and Fire Alarm Association badge.
TNSI Tennessee Network of Security Integrators badge.
WNYESA badge.
Gray and white AAF badge.
Gray and white AFAA badge.
Black and gray AFAA badge.
Gray and white AZAA badge.
Gray and white CES badge.
Gray and white mama badge.
Gray and white NFPA badge.
Gray and white OKBFAA badge.
gray SIA logo
Gray and white The monitoring Association badge.
gray wisa logo
MSCA Massachusetts Systems Contractors Association, Inc. badge.
NSA Nevada Security Association badge.

AWARDS AND SHAPING THE INDUSTRY

Since 1992, Rapid Response has been committed to having the most qualified, extensively trained personnel and the most advanced technologies available with the singular purpose of providing our Dealers and their customers with the very best monitoring services. It is our unmatched professional team that deserves the credit for our accolades, our record-breaking growth and our consistent leadership in the industry.

FEATURED AWARD

2016 TMA CENTRAL STATION OF THE YEAR

“Rapid Response’s core belief is three-pronged: people, training and technology. The Excellence Awards judges determined that this outstanding company proved to deserve the spot at the pinnacle of our industry. Rapid’s application detailed extensive plans for disaster recovery, false alarm reduction, education and training, technology innovation, customer relations, and community outreach efforts including charitable activities. Its leaders are heavily involved in bettering the industry through volunteering with industry associations to advance important issues such as standards, public sector engagement, and legislation.” – TMA Excellence Awards Judges

csaa 2016 award

image of group of awards

OTHER NOTABLE AWARDS

  • CenterState CEO Economic Champion
    Rapid Response Monitoring was recognized for contributions to the economic growth of the CenterState New York region through facility expansion and addition of local career opportunities.
  • Society for Human Resource Management Employer of Distinction Award for Best Work Environment
    Rapid Response was awarded for our dedication to providing a superior work environment for all employees.
  • American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Worksite Gold Achievement Award
    Rapid Response was recognized for our efforts in promoting health and wellness programs for our employees.
  • Healthiest Employers of Upstate New York
    Medium-size Business Category for creating a healthy work place for employees by implementing unique and customized health and wellness programs within the organization.
  • Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve
    Rapid Response is proud to support the needs of our servicemen and women in all branches of the military.
  • New York State Governor’s Office
    Recognized as an outstanding example of technology-based business growth. Rapid Response is dedicated to supporting local career opportunities and growing through our partnerships with our valued Dealers.
  • TMA Monitoring Excellence Awards
    Rapid Response team members were recognized in 2022 and 2023 for their outstanding performance and customer service.
  • Security Systems News 40 Under 40
    Rapid Response team members were recognized as a part of a group of talented professionals representing the next generation of leaders in security.
  • SSI Stellar Awards
    Rapid Response was recognized in 2022 and 2023 for delivering premium support and service that goes above and beyond.
  • SONITROL® National Achievement Award
    Rapid Response team members were recognized for their incredible work ethic towards creating safer communities everday.
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