System and method for monitoring a location

A system for monitoring a location, the system comprising:

• a plurality of sub-systems at a first location;
• a local agent device at the first location, wherein the local agent device is in communication with each of the plurality of sub-systems, wherein the local agent device is configured to detect and respond to one or more standard events occurring at or within one or more of the plurality of sub-systems at the first location according to one or more standard procedures in which the local agent device automatically performs one or more standard tasks at the location with respect to the one or more of the plurality of sub-systems without contacting a surveillance server or a monitoring center that is remote from the first location;
• and
• a monitoring center at a second location that is separate, distinct, and remote from the first location, wherein the local agent device is configured to detect and respond to one or more alarm events occurring at or within the one or more of the plurality of sub-systems according to one or more alarm procedures in which the local agent device automatically performs one or more alarm tasks with respect to the one or more plurality of sub-systems and contacts an individual associated with the first location and the monitoring center, and wherein the local agent device is configured to detect and respond to one or more emergency events occurring at or within the one or more of the plurality of sub-systems according to one or more emergency procedures in which the local agent device contacts emergency personnel through the surveillance server that is remote from the first location.

A method of monitoring a location, the method comprising:

• communicatively connecting a plurality of sub-systems at a first location to a local agent device at the first location;
• monitoring the plurality of sub-systems with the local agent device;
• detecting a standard event at or within one of the plurality of sub-systems with the local agent device at the first location;
• responding, with the local agent device at the first location, to the standard event according to a standard procedure in which the local agent device automatically performs a standard task at the first location with respect to the one of the plurality of sub-systems at the first location without contacting a surveillance server or a monitoring center that is remote from the first location;
• detecting an alarm event at or within one of the plurality of sub-systems with the local agent device at the first location;
• responding, with the local agent device at the first location, to the alarm event according to an alarm procedure in which the local agent device automatically performs an alarm task with respect to the one of the plurality of sub-systems and contacts an individual associated with the first location and a monitoring center at a second location that is remotely located from the first location;
• detecting an emergency event at or within one of the plurality of sub-systems with the local agent at the first location;
• and
• responding, with the local agent device at the first location, to the emergency event according to an emergency procedure in which the local agent device contacts emergency personnel through the surveillance server that is remote from the first location.