Locally owned. Always answered. Since 1981.
EMS Systems was started in Rochester in 1981 as an alarm company built around real installation craft and locally answered phones. 45 years later, that's still what we are.
Founded in 1981, in Rochester.
EMS Systems opened its doors in 1981 with a simple mission: to serve its customers. A security system is only as good as the people behind it. The hardware comes and goes — what matters is who installed it, who picks up when it goes off, and who shows up when it needs service.
We've stayed independent and locally owned since day one. No private-equity rollups, no national franchise. Same family, same office, same phone number Rochester has been calling since the early '80s.
Monitored 24/7. A real tech on call.
Every system we install is monitored 24/7/365 through a UL-listed central station with backup power, backup signal paths, and a second monitoring center on standby if the primary one goes down. When your alarm trips, an operator picks up immediately, calls to verify, and dispatches police or fire as appropriate.
After business hours, you can always reach an EMS technician on call — not an answering service, not a ticket queue. A real human, with the keys to your account and the experience to actually help.
Licensed, insured, accountable.
Licensed in New York State for alarm and fire installation. NICET-certified technicians on staff for fire alarm design. Liability insurance well above industry minimums. Every install pulled to permit when a permit is required.
We work with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) — fire marshals, building officials, electrical inspectors — across Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, and Orleans counties weekly. They know us. We know them.
What we don't do.
We don't sell three-tier 'silver/gold/platinum' packages with a salesperson on commission. We don't lock you into 60-month contracts. We don't ship you a box and disappear — even our DIY kits arrive pre-programmed and an EMS tech walks you through activation. We don't outsource monitoring to whoever's cheapest this quarter.
We design what your property needs, install it correctly, and stand behind it for as long as you'll have us.
45 years isn't an accident.
It's because we install systems correctly, back them with 24/7 monitoring, and answer the phone when you call. Talk to us.