Abstract: A controlling interface unit is linked to a plurality of event sensors associated with a premises. There is at least one manner of establishing communication, using wired communication lines or radio transmissions between this interface unit and, on the one hand, a remote alarm receiving center for monitoring the sensors at the premises, and, on the other hand, a remote auxiliary facility for filtering out potential false alarms from those premises. The interface unit is capable of routing signals originating from a selected type of sensor to the auxiliary filtering facility instead of or in addition to transmitting the same signals to the alarm receiving center. Depending on the circumstances, feedback signals may then be transmitted from the auxiliary filtering facility to the controlling interface unit to negate an alarm condition. Optionally, a memory unit may be linked to the controlling interface unit to store data from the event sensors for a limited time period.