Anthony Calderone began his company, Illinois Alarm Service, at the age of 22. It was 1978, and alarm systems operated primarily on mechanical relays. In the 47 years since, Calderone has seen a great deal of change in his industry – such as alarm systems now connecting to wi-fi and integrating with smart devices.
Rather than simply observing these changes, Calderone helped guide their development and use as a member of several UL Standards & Engagement technical committees for alarm systems and devices, including TC 205B, Premises Security Initiating Devices; TC 205C, Residential Signaling Equipment; TC 205A Premises Security – Control Units and Accessories; and TC 0205, Alarm System Services.
“When things started to change, it happened relatively quick and this was driven most by the manufacturers in our industry,” Calderone says. However, as a TC member, he was able to share his own insight as an installing dealer.
“At TC meetings, we would be introduced to some of the elements of the changes already happening in the industry, but then it was also an opportunity for members of the committee to offer their ideas on where we think we see some of the standards going.”
Calderone says his motivation for getting involved in standards development came from firsthand experience as a technician and trainer early in his career.
“In addition to being a service technician, they made me their training coordinator, so I was responsible for training the other service technicians, and it probably was the genesis of me becoming aware of the need for things called standards — whether for the manufacturing of equipment or for the processes and procedures of either installing or repairing alarm systems.”
Through his involvement with trade organizations in the alarm industry, Calderone became involved with UL Standards & Engagement (known then as Underwriters Laboratories).
“Because of my being an entrepreneur and because of my involvement with our trade organizations, I recognized UL, and the things that it stands for and the standards that it creates, was an important element to our industry.”
Although ULSE did not formalize its technical committees until 2000, experts like Calderone provided critical feedback to our standards through in-person meetings.
“Back in the early days, you know, we’d have to assemble face to face… we would be introduced not only with some of the elements of the changes that UL would like to see, but then it was also a same opportunity for members of the committee to offer their ideas on where we think we want to see some of the standards go. And then we would have healthy debate on whether or not some of these ideas were good ideas or bad ideas.”
“It seems like every committee member is genuinely interested in the need for standards and generally interested in wanting to offer their opinion and make their case,” he says. “I don’t think that I’ve ever encountered any recommendations where there wasn’t some difference of opinion – which is healthy. That’s what makes our world go round.”
Looking forward, Calderone has no plans to slow down, and shares what keeps him going: “People joke with me all the time, wanting to know when I’m going to retire. And I say, ‘when I die,’ because I really do love this industry. It’s been my livelihood. You know, I enjoy all of the various aspects of it.”
“To affect change, you cannot do that from the outside. You have to get involved.”
Anthony Calderone is the president and founder of Illinois Alarm Service, a full-service, licensed electronic security and life safety system provider serving Chicago and the surrounding area. During his career, he held the posts of secretary and vice president for the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, and was the president of the Illinois Electronic Security Association for six years. He also served as mayor of the village of Forest Park, Ill. for over 20 years and earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from the West Central Municipal League.
We at ULSE thank Anthony for his many years of dedication to our standards development process and our mission of working for a safer world.
Get Involved
If you are interested in joining the standards development process for ULSE standards, there are several ways to participate:
- Apply for TC membership: TC membership is contingent upon participation, as active member participation is critical to helping maintain a balance of interests and advance the standards development process. Learn more about our TCs.
- Subscribe and follow a standard: Subscribe to receive up-to-date information on new standards projects, standards for public review, recently published standards and more. You can elect to receive activity notifications and get involved without being a member.
- Propose changes to a standard: Submit a proposal or request to attend a meeting.