NBFAA recently distributed this release to trade publications, and it will also be available online at www.alarm.org. For more information contact NBFAA Communications at communications@alarm.org.

Deadline Approaching to Apply for First Line of Defense Award
Award Honors Security Industry Teamwork

Irving, Texas, Oct. 16, 2006 – Every day security companies across the country work with central stations and public safety agencies to save lives, to avert property damage and to prevent crimes. Even though these success stories may seem like everyday occurrences, they represent the positive contribution that the industry makes every day in the lives of ordinary citizens and the communities where they live.

The First Line of Defense program, sponsored by the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) and SDM magazine, was instituted to publicize these success stories and to give consumers an awareness of the value of alarm systems.

Each year, NBFAA and SDM Magazine honor one company for their efforts in saving lives and/or averting criminal activity. In addition to a national publicity campaign and cover story in SDM magazine, the winning company receives a free trip to Las Vegas and is honored at a special ceremony during the ISC West Expo. Last year’s winner, American Alarm and Communications Inc. of Arlington, Mass., was congratulated on the award by the former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge during the ceremony.

“Receiving the 2006 First Line of Defense award was a great honor. The free trip and the coverage in the trade press and our local papers was wonderful, but the best part was having our salesman – who sold the customers the optional carbon monoxide (CO) detector that saved their lives – and the systems technician – who installed the system – and the central station operator – who called the fire department – to share in the excitement in Las Vegas,” said Wells Sampson, American Alarm president.

“I would encourage everyone to think back over the last year and submit their stories. Even just submitting the story is worthwhile, because it gives owners and managers a chance to thank their employees and to remind them of the enormous responsibility they have every day in protecting the people of our country.”

There is still time to submit an entry for the 2007 First Line of Defense Award. Nominations will be accepted through Nov. 10, 2006

For more information on the First Line of Defense award and complete contest rules or to nominate your company visit NBFAA’s Web site at www.alarm.org or call (888) 447-1689.

About NBFAA

NBFAA, a non-profit 501(c) 6 trade association, is the nation's oldest and largest organization dedicated to representing, promoting, and supporting the electronic life safety, security, and systems industry. Member companies specialize in a wide spectrum of services to commercial and residential consumers, including security and fire alarms, video surveillance, access control and monitoring. In cooperation with a federation of state associations, NBFAA provides government advocacy and delivers timely information, professional development tools, products and services that members use to grow and prosper their businesses. The NBFAA may be reached at (888) 447-1689 or on the Web at www.alarm.org.

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