Business Details
39 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Security Partner in Nottingham
Established in 1987, EMCS is the largest truly independent Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in the United Kingdom. Our independence from single alarm manufacturers or security providers allows clients to select from a wide range of systems tailored to individual security requirements. With NSI Gold approval and over three decades of industry expertise, we deliver nationwide alarm monitoring, false alarm management, access control, and VSS (formerly CCTV) solutions. Our dedicated team provides 24/7 support, including remote VSS assistance and on-site commissioning.The company maintains a robust disaster recovery strategy with an NSI Gold-accredited backup site to ensure continuous operation. Our false alarm management team and data analysts proactively identify site changes requiring attention, while our purpose-built ARC facility withstands power failures and physical attacks. We support clients from quote to completion, offering unbiased guidance, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional service, setting industry standards for reliability and client satisfaction.
Services
Alarm Monitoring
False Alarm Management
Access Control
Lone Worker Solutions
VSS Solutions
UK Connectivity Solutions
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- We are the largest independent alarm receiving centre in the UK
- Our NSI Gold-approved systems ensure industry-leading reliability
- Over 35 years of experience in professional security solutions
- We provide dedicated 24/7 support for urgent security needs
- Our false alarm management team reduces unnecessary dispatches
Associations and certifications
- NSI Gold
What people say
Excellent service
Fantastic care
No disruption
Painless transfer
Reliable protection
Services
Alarm Monitoring
Our NSI Gold-approved alarm monitoring service provides 24/7 surveillance for businesses and residences. With a 30-second average response time, our control room handles over 300,000 alarms monthly. We verify alarm authenticity through advanced digital verification techniques, reducing false dispatches while maintaining police response compliance. Our dual-site infrastructure ensures uninterrupted operation with full redundancy.
VSS Solutions
Virtual Surveillance Solutions encompass modern CCTV monitoring and remote access management. Our dedicated technicians provide full lifecycle support from system commissioning to maintenance. The service integrates with alarm monitoring for comprehensive security coverage. We support multiple manufacturer systems and offer remote diagnostics to minimize on-site visits and reduce operational disruption.
False Alarm Management
Specialist teams reduce nuisance alarms through multi-tier verification processes. Using data analytics, we identify patterns and anomalies at monitored sites. This proactive approach maintains police priority status for genuine incidents. The service includes client reporting on alarm trends and recommendations for system optimization to minimize false activations.
Access Control
Our access control solutions manage physical security for commercial premises. The service includes system integration with alarm monitoring platforms and real-time entry tracking. We provide remote administration tools for client-managed access permissions while maintaining compliance with security standards. Implementation includes audit trails and emergency access protocols.
Lone Worker Solutions
Dedicated protection for solitary workers combines GPS tracking with immediate response protocols. The system integrates with our 24/7 control room for emergency dispatch. Features include man-down detection, panic alerts, and scheduled check-in reminders. Solutions are tailored to sectors like security, healthcare, and field operations with compliance to health & safety regulations.
People
Andrew Barge
Chairman & CEO
Andrew Barge leads EMCS with over two decades of security industry experience. He has expanded the company's national footprint while maintaining its founding principles of independence and technical excellence. Under his leadership, EMCS has achieved continuous growth since 2004, maintaining its position as the UK's leading independent alarm receiving centre.
Edward Barge
Managing Director
Edward Barge oversees daily operations and strategic development. He brings extensive technical expertise in alarm systems integration and monitoring infrastructure. With hands-on experience since the company's formation, he ensures EMCS maintains cutting-edge capabilities while delivering reliable service to over 100,000 monitored sites nationwide.
Claire Poyser-Blair
Head of Sales & Customer Service
Claire Poyser-Blair heads client relations with a focus on technical sales support and service excellence. She leads a team of security specialists providing tailored solutions for commercial clients. Her department ensures seamless onboarding and ongoing support for new and existing customers.
Rick O'Donnell
Head of IT
Rick O'Donnell manages EMCS's technology infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives. He oversees cybersecurity protocols, network architecture, and software development for monitoring platforms. His expertise in secure communications ensures compliance with data protection standards while maintaining system resilience.
Eoin Gubbins
Head of VSS
Eoin Gubbins leads VSS operations with specialist knowledge in surveillance technology integration. He manages technical teams supporting CCTV systems, remote diagnostics, and digital verification processes. His department ensures seamless integration between video monitoring and traditional alarm systems for comprehensive security coverage.
Questions
What makes EMCS different from other security monitoring companies?
EMCS is the largest truly independent alarm receiving centre in the UK with NSI Gold approval. Our independence allows clients to choose any alarm system while maintaining police response compliance through our advanced verification processes.
How quickly does EMCS respond to alarms?
Our control room achieves a 30-second average response time with over 300,000 alarms handled monthly. We use digital verification techniques to confirm incidents before dispatching emergency services, reducing false alarms by 40%.
Can EMCS support technical installations?
Yes, our specialists provide on-site commissioning support for VSS systems and access control installations. We offer remote diagnostics and maintenance services to minimize downtime during system implementation.
What areas does EMCS cover?
We provide nationwide security monitoring and support across the United Kingdom. Our dual-site infrastructure ensures consistent service delivery with full redundancy across all monitored locations.
Is EMCS compliant with security standards?
We maintain NSI Gold approval, the highest industry standard for alarm receiving centres. Our disaster recovery systems, backup power infrastructure, and verification processes all meet strict regulatory requirements.
