A sensor comprising: a sensing device; a wireless communication interface; and a controller configured to: receive information relating to a specified condition via the sensing device; send a first wireless message to a second sensor via the wireless interface, the first wireless message relating to the sensed information; receive an indication from the second sensor indicating whether the second sensor has verified a possible threat associated with the specified condition; if the second sensor verifies the possible threat, organize the sensors along with one or more additional components into a collective sub-unit in a system; cooperate with the other components in the collective sub-unit to collectively track the verified threat; and send a second wireless message to a monitoring system via the wireless interface, the second wireless message relating to the verified threat; wherein the controller is configured to send the first wireless message using a first communication protocol, the first communication protocol defining a first set of messages for identifying the possible threat, verifying the possible threat, mustering components into the collective sub-unit, and identifying desired functionality for one or more of the components in the collective sub-unit; wherein the controller is configured to send the second wireless message using a second communication protocol, the second communication protocol defining a second set of messages for reporting the verified threat, transmitting video or still images associated with the verified threat, and conditioning a response of the collective sub-unit to the verified threat; and wherein the controller is configured to receive communications from a third sensor and join a second collective sub-unit, the second collective sub-unit comprising components configured to track a second threat. a sensing device; a wireless communication interface; and a controller configured to: receive information relating to a specified condition via the sensing device; send a first wireless message to a second sensor via the wireless interface, the first wireless message relating to the sensed information; receive an indication from the second sensor indicating whether the second sensor has verified a possible threat associated with the specified condition; if the second sensor verifies the possible threat, organize the sensors along with one or more additional components into a collective sub-unit in a system; cooperate with the other components in the collective sub-unit to collectively track the verified threat; and send a second wireless message to a monitoring system via the wireless interface, the second wireless message relating to the verified threat; receive information relating to a specified condition via the sensing device; send a first wireless message to a second sensor via the wireless interface, the first wireless message relating to the sensed information; receive an indication from the second sensor indicating whether the second sensor has verified a possible threat associated with the specified condition; if the second sensor verifies the possible threat, organize the sensors along with one or more additional components into a collective sub-unit in a system; cooperate with the other components in the collective sub-unit to collectively track the verified threat; and send a second wireless message to a monitoring system via the wireless interface, the second wireless message relating to the verified threat; wherein the controller is configured to send the first wireless message using a first communication protocol, the first communication protocol defining a first set of messages for identifying the possible threat, verifying the possible threat, mustering components into the collective sub-unit, and identifying desired functionality for one or more of the components in the collective sub-unit; wherein the controller is configured to send the second wireless message using a second communication protocol, the second communication protocol defining a second set of messages for reporting the verified threat, transmitting video or still images associated with the verified threat, and conditioning a response of the collective sub-unit to the verified threat; and wherein the controller is configured to receive communications from a third sensor and join a second collective sub-unit, the second collective sub-unit comprising components configured to track a second threat.