In the early 1970s, after getting out of the Navy and working for Seattle-based Grinnell-ADT, Butte-born Spike McQuiston wanted to get back to his roots. So he returned to Montana, settled in Missoula and joined together some partners to start an alarm company/answering service/locksmith shop. In 1972, Interstate Alarm Company was incorporated. Over the years, the locksmith shop went away and one of the partners moved his family into a small office to run the 24-hr answering service, which also responded to the alarms. Spike traveled the state, hauling a fifth wheel behind his truck, selling and installing alarms, building the company during a time that alarm systems were not commonplace. Eventually the answering service was sold and the alarm receivers were moved to the new answering service where they remained for many years.