When your alarm activates, the alarm panel will 'seize' your telephone line and dial the central monitoring station. During this time, you cannot use your telephone, nor can you receive incoming phone calls. A signal is transmitted to the central monitoring station computer. The alarm monitoring company must call your premises to see if the alarm is a false alarm before they call for police assistance. This is a Florida law.
Panic alarms are the exception.
If the alarm monitoring station does not receive an answer, or the wrong password is given, the monitoring company will notify the police. The police are dispatched to your premises. The amount of time it normally takes for the police to be notified of your alarm can vary, but three to four minutes is average. Wait for the alarm company to call your premises. Have your password available.