Friday, August 05, 2005

Association News

NBFAA Embarks on Government Relations Effort to Benefit Members
NBFAA wants to expand the focus of present legislation in Congress to include fire detection equipment.

2nd Annual State of the Industry Breakfast
Come join us opening day of the ISC East for breakfast and a special Keynote Address from former thieves
and hosts of the unique new show from the Discovery Channel, "It Takes a Thief."

Join us in New York: Register for the NBFAA Fall Conference Today!!
Register online today for this year's Fall Conference and CSA Symposium and start spreading the news!

Expand Your Horizons With NTS Courses
Why should your kids be the only ones going back to school? Check out the listing of upcoming NTS
courses to see what is coming to your area in the next few weeks. For more information on a course,
contact NTS at 866-636-1687 or by e-mail at nts@alarm.org.

Member News

Ackerman Security Systems, Carbon Monoxide Detector Saves Lives
In the early morning hours of July 18, a carbon monoxide detector at the home of Brian Bennett saved the lives of his two children and their nanny, who were home asleep at the time of the incident.

Video Domain Signs Distribution Agreement for North American Market with ADI
Video Domain Technologies has signed a distribution agreement with associate member ADI - a leading distributor of intrusion, fire alarm, access control & CCTV products - whereby ADI distributes Video Domain's new and existing products through their numerous branches throughout North America.

HSM (Honeywell Security Monitoring) Purchases Alarm Industry National Account
Associate member HSM (Honeywell Security Monitoring) announces the purchase of one of the alarm industry's key players in the national account arena, National Alarm Pro, headquartered in Trumbull, Conn. The sale includes all of the company's national and other commercial accounts being serviced throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Industry News

Does the Junk Fax Legislation Affect Your Business?
The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) compiled a list of "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) to help address common concerns about the Junk Fax Legislation.

In The News

Just a Click Away from the Most Recent News Featuring NBFAA

Good Alarm Systems Will Deter Most Burglars
North County Times answers question on purchasing an alarm system.

Security Systems News
Members Vote to Upgrade Membership.

Public Opinion: Think Like a Burglar to Prevent a Burglary
Advice for homeowners to contact the NBFAA or state burglar and fire alarm association.

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Association News

NBFAA Embarks on Government Relations Effort to Benefit Members

By John Chwat
NBFAA Lobbyist

Currently, there is legislation pending in both the U.S. House and Senate which focuses on fire suppression alone. We believe that ensuring real fire safety means installing fire detection devices in concert with suppression equipment. NBFAA's lobbying efforts include expanding the coverage of present legislation to include fire detection equipment.

For example, NBFAA wants to propose a bill that college and university dorms and buildings be equipped with both fire detection devices, as well as sprinklers. NBFAA has met with elected officials to recommend fire detection, fire alarms and life safety devices to be included in any final version of these bills.

Additionally, we are promoting the passage of legislation that would allow tax benefits and government grants to professionally install fire detection systems in residences and commercial buildings, including college and university dorms.

We are meeting with members of the Congressional Fire Caucus, a major force in Congress on fire safe issues, and other groups involved in fire legislation and fire standards. The slogan being distributed on Capitol Hill by NBFAA is "Detection + Suppression = Fire Safety."

Editor's Note: Stay tuned for continuing coverage of NBFAA's government relations efforts. We will keep members informed via Member Update, Newsline and special e-mail News Flashes.

2nd Annual State of the Industry Breakfast

Come join us opening day of the ISC East for breakfast and a special Keynote Address from former thieves and hosts of the unique new show from the Discovery Channel, "It Takes a Thief."

NBFAA, the New York Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NYBFAA), and the Security Industry Association (SIA) will hold the 2nd Annual State of the Industry Breakfast at ISC East 2005 in the Jacob Javits Convention Center on Wednesday, Aug. 24. The free breakfast will be held from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and the address will follow, but pre-registration is required.

Contact NYBFAA at 800-556-9232 (NY) or 814-838-0301 (Outside NY) or e-mail NYBFAA at Info@NYBFA.org (Subject: Keynote Breakfast) Please provide your name and company name when submitting the RSVP.

Join us in New York: Register for the NBFAA Fall Conference Today!!

Register online today for this year's Fall Conference and CSA Symposium and start spreading the news! The cost of the conference package is $235 and $425 if you wish to invite a guest/spouse.

The conference package includes:

For additional information or questions contact Kandice Carlson at 888-447-1689 ext. 205. The deadline for registration is August 15.

Expand Your Horizons With NTS Courses

Why should your kids be the only ones going back to school? Check out the listing of upcoming NTS courses to see what is coming to your area in the next few weeks. For more information on a course, contact NTS at 866-636-1687 or by e-mail at nts@alarm.org.

Complete course schedules for 2005 are also available in the Professional Development section at www.alarm.org. These schedules are updated regularly, so be sure to check back often.

Remember, NTS training is also available online! Alarm Technician (Level 1) and Fire Alarm Installation Methods (FAIM) are available now - with Advanced Burglar Alarm Technician (ABAT) coming later this year!

Understanding Alarm Systems
Aug. 10 - Montevallo, Ala.

Certified Alarm Tech
Aug. 4-6 - Greensboro, N.C.
Aug.12-14 - Johnson City, Tenn.

Fire Alarm Installation Methods
Aug. 13-14 - Bossier City, La.

Member News

Ackerman Security Systems, Carbon Monoxide Detector Saves Lives

A carbon monoxide detector installed at the Georgia home of Brian Bennett by Ackerman Security Systems saved the lives of Bennett's two children and their nanny, who were home asleep at the time of the incident.

Bennett said when he had his alarm installed he was also advised about the benefits of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, but he never imagined two months later they would save the lives of his family.

After alerting the nanny in the basement, the monitored security system sent a carbon monoxide signal to Ackerman's U.L. Certified Central Station, who then contacted the McDonough Fire Department.

An NBFAA member company, Ackerman is currently the 34th largest security company in the United States, and the largest locally owned and monitored security company in Georgia.

Video Domain Signs Distribution Agreement for North American Market with ADI

Video Domain Technologies has signed an agreement with NBFAA associate member ADI - a leading distributor of intrusion, fire alarm, access control & CCTV products- who will distribute Video Domain's new and existing products through their numerous branches in North America.

The companies believe this partnership will benefit both sides by offering installers, integrators and dealers a specialized range of products through ADI. Available immediately, Video Domain's family of products include the award-winning MemoCam® CCTV series, the D-CAM Camera series, and the NetEye Transmitter series.

ADI is one of North America's largest wholesale distributors of security and low voltage products, with over 105 branch locations in the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. ADI's product lines include intrusion, fire alarm, access control, CCTV, telephony, residential and commercial A/V, wire and structured cabling and tools and hardware. For more information about ADI, please visit www.adilink.com.

HSM (Honeywell Security Monitoring) Purchases Alarm Industry National Account

NBFAA associate member HSM (Honeywell Security Monitoring) purchased one of the alarm industry's key players in the national account arena, National Alarm Pro, including the sale of all the company's national and other commercial accounts being serviced throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

National Alarm Pro, which specializes in commercial electronic security, represents a number of national retail companies like Gucci, Ann Taylor, Sports Authority, Escada, Barnes & Noble, The Home Depot, Talbots, J. Crew and Nextel.

HSM is the largest privately held commercial electronic security company in the United States with 50 offices serving over 80 of the country's largest metropolitan markets. HSM designs, installs and services security systems for both commercial and residential customers. HSM represents a national network of resources, state-of-the-art technology, and a culture dedicated to excellence; where its employees have the training, the equipment, and the processes they need to deliver the finest solutions for the needs of its customers.

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Does the Junk Fax Legislation Affect Your Business?

By: Chris Merida, ASAE and James W. Rock, Parry Romani and DeConcini, Inc.

Q: What kinds of faxes does this law cover?

A: The FCC defines an "unsolicited fax advertisement" rather broadly. For associations, these types of faxes include but are not limited to those that have a cost associated with them such as conferences, new books or publications, and seminars.

Q: Does the cost-free opt-out mean that associations must provide a toll-free telephone number?

A: A toll free telephone number is just one of several options associations can offer fax recipients as a cost-free way to opt-out of receiving future commercial faxes. Other options include: e-mail; a local phone number; or local fax number on the first page of the fax. The bottom line is that the recipient must be able to send his or her opt-out request at no cost to them, which should be feasible using the options mentioned.

Q: Is there an exemption for the tax-exempt/non-profit community from the opt-out requirements?

A: Though no exemption at this time, the FCC does have the authority to grant such an exemption in the future to tax-exempt trade professional associations when sending a fax advertisement in furtherance of its tax-exempt purpose, should it deem such an exemption to be appropriate.

Q: Does membership in a professional or trade association constitute an Existing Business Relationship (EBR)?

A: Yes.

Q: Is there currently a time limit on the EBR?

A: As of right now, there is no time limit on the EBR. Once again, the FCC does have the authority, after three months time, to determine whether a time limit on the EBR is necessary.

Q: Is it legal to prospect using faxes?

A: No. Prospects are individuals with whom you do not have an EBR, therefore it would be illegal to send them an unsolicited fax advertisement.

Q: Is there still a "private right of action" in the rules governing faxes?

A: Yes. It is possible for the recipient of an unsolicited fax advertisement from someone they do not have an EBR with to sue the sender for up to $1,500 per fax.

Q: Does this bill have any affect on communications sent by e-mail?

A: No. E-mail communications are governed by the CAN-SPAM Act. For more information on that act, please visit the ASAE Web site at: http://www.asaenet.org/asae/cda/index/1,1584,ETI20735_MEN3_NID4971,00.html.

Q: Does the bill pre-empt state fax laws?

A: No. The junk fax bill does not pre-empt state fax laws, and associations should be cognizant of the different state laws that are in existence.