American Alarm Donates Medical Emergency Systems for Veterans

Company employees to volunteer their time for veteran-related service projects.

Arlington, Mass. — Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray joined American Alarm leaders today to announce the company’s new program to help veterans and their families. Through the new Home and Away Veterans Support Program, American Alarm will donate 20 personal emergency response systems (PERS) for veterans who are aging or recuperating at home, giving them instant access to medical help when needed.

The “away” portion of the program will focus on families of service-members who are away, on duty, and the communities in which they live. American Alarm employees, many of whom are technicians, will volunteer their time to tackle veteran-related community service projects, or complete needed repairs or other maintenance projects at the homes of military families.

“This an important new program that will help veterans in-need remain independent, living in the comfort of their homes, and offer support to the families of service men and woman who are overseas,” said Lt. Governor Murray, who chairs the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans Services. “On behalf of all veterans in Massachusetts, Governor Patrick and I extend thanks to the people at American Alarm who are making this program possible.”

Lt. Governor Murray’s visit to American Alarm’s 24-Hour Security Command Center in Arlington is the first of many events he will lead during the month of November to honor the men and women who serve in uniform, and to highlight programs and services established to help veterans and their families.

“Across the generations, veterans have served to protect us all, so we hope to help veterans who want to stay in their homes, but need this extra level of medical security and peace of mind,” said Wells Sampson, president of American Alarm. “We appreciate the lieutenant governor’s strong advocacy on behalf of Massachusetts veterans and we are honored to have him participate in this announcement.”

The PERS technology to be donated by American Alarm includes a communicator connected to the veteran’s telephone line, and several wireless activator buttons that can be worn on the wrist, around the neck, or left on a nightstand or bedpost. With a push of the button, an emergency signal will be sent instantly to American Alarm’s 24-hour Security Command Center where operators will call the home and speak with the veteran. If the operator gets no answer on the phone, they will immediately call for emergency medical responders. If the veteran answers the phone in distress, medical help will be dispatched. “Unless the veteran answers the phone quickly and says ‘sorry, I accidently hit the button,’ then help will be on the way,” Sampson said.

American Alarm is working closely with local, state and federal veterans’ service providers to indentify veterans in the community who would benefit from the PERS systems but are unable to afford them. For more information about American Alarm’s Home and Away program, or to suggest worthy service projects for American Alarm’s volunteer team, contact James Cook at 781-641-2000.