Association News

NBFAA Executive Director Appointed to ICC's Industry Advisory Committee
NBFAA announced that Executive Director Merlin Guilbeau has been appointed to the International Code Council’s (ICC) Industry Advisory Committee (IAC). NBFAA’s Vice President and President-Elect George Gunning has also been appointed as the NBFAA alternate.

Final Call for First Line of Defense Entries
The First Line of Defense program deadline is Nov. 4, 2005. Don’t wait another minute! Submit your application today for the chance to win a trip to Vegas!

NTS Offers a Spooktacular Opportunity
What could be more frightening this Halloween than a technician without the proper training? Contact NTS today for information about member discounts that are un-boo-lievable.

Member News

First President of CAA/WBFAA Jerry Linder Remembered
Jerry Linder, the first president of the California Alarm Association and the Wisconsin Burglar and Fire Alarm Association , passed away on Monday, Oct. 24, 2005. He served the industry for decades and was a friend and mentor to many.

Home Automation, Inc. Wins Pinnacle Award
The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) presented the 2005 Connected@Home awards on Oct. 6 in Las Vegas.

Brivo Systems Announces Release of New Online Application
Brivo Systems announced the release of updated software that uses html, rather than images, for faster download times, larger data displays and ease of resizing the browser window.

Member Benefit Spotlight: Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants
Provide affordable employer-paid health insurance benefit packages for your employees through Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants.

Industry News

Editor's Perspective: An Inside Look at Verified Response
On Wednesday, Oct. 26, the Dallas City Council held a second public hearing concerning the issue of Verified Response (VR). In order to get a firsthand view of the situation, I decided to attend the hearing at city hall.

Police Dispatch Quality Award Program Continues to Seek Entries for 2006
The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) and the False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA) are continuing to seek entries for the Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) 2006 Award program.

In The News

NBFAA in the Headlines
Recent Press Releases

NBFAA Executive Director Appointed to ICC's Industry Advisory Committee

NBFAA announced that Executive Director Merlin Guilbeau has been appointed to the International Code Council’s (ICC) Industry Advisory Committee (IAC). NBFAA’s Vice President and President-Elect George Gunning has been appointed as the NBFAA alternate.

“This appointment demonstrates NBFAA’s commitment to the development of standardized codes that benefit consumers, public safety and our industry. It is important that we work with those organizations that develop building code standards in order to understand trends and to voice opinions,” said Guilbeau.

NBFAA’s Vice President and President-Elect George Gunning added, “We are proud to have been selected to serve on the ICC’s Industry Advisory Committee. The ICC is the preeminent building code developer in the United States, so it is clearly an essential organization to our membership.”

The ICC, a membership organization dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the ICC.

Final Call for First Line of Defense Entries

The First Line of Defense program deadline is Nov. 4, 2005. Don’t wait another minute! Submit your application today for the chance to win a trip to Vegas!

Norshore Alarm Co. Inc., located in Libertyville, Ill., was the recipient of the 2005 First Line of Defense award.

“It was an honor for us to be chosen for the First Line of Defense award. It adds additional credibility to our company, and I encourage every company to enter,” said Ken Hohs, owner of Norshore Alarm Co. Inc.

“Besides the positive accolades you receive by winning this award, you get a trip to Las Vegas!”

If you have a story about a time when one of your company's electronic security or life safety systems helped save lives, avert property damage, or prevent a crime, send in an entry to the First Line of Defense program. If your story is selected, you and your customer will win a free trip to Las Vegas during the 2006 ISC West Show, courtesy of NBFAA and SDM. There you will be honored at the keynote breakfast and your story will be featured in SDM Magazine

NTS Offers a Spooktacular Opportunity

What could be more frightening this Halloween than a technician without the proper training? Contact NTS today for information about member discounts that are un-boo-lievable.

For information about NTS, e-mail NTS@alarm.org or call toll free at (866) 636-1687.

Central Station Training
Nov. 30-Montevallo, Ala.

Certified Alarm Tech
Oct. 28-30-Fort Smith, Ark.
Oct. 28-30-Montevallo, Ala.
Nov. 11-13-Nashville, Tenn.
Nov. 18-20-Tulsa, Okla.
Nov. 29-Dec. 01-Little Rock, Ark.
Nov. 30-Dec. 02-Long Island, N.Y.

Fire Alarm Installation Methods
Nov. 2-4-Elmsford, N.Y.
Nov. 16-18-Buffalo, N.Y.
Nov. 18-20-Tulsa, Okla.  

Life Safety Code Course & Workshop
Nov. 18-20-Tulsa, Okla.

Practical Electronics
Nov. 18-20-Tulsa, Okla.

Security Networking Institute
Nov. 14-15-Atlanta, Ga.

Understanding Alarm Systems
Nov.11-Elk Grove, Ill.
Nov.11-Milwaukee, Wis.
Nov.16-Montevallo, Ala.

Member News

First President of CAA/WBFAA Jerry Linder Remembered

Jerry Linder, the first president of the CAA/WBFAA, passed away on Monday, Oct. 24, 2005. He served the industry for decades and was a friend and mentor to many.

The following is information on funeral services:

Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005
Viewing
5 – 8 p.m.
Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary
101 East Wilbur Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 495-4641

Friday, Oct. 28, 2005
Funeral Services
Noon
Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary

Friday, Oct. 28, 2005
Graveside Service
Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks
5600 N. Lindero Canyon Rd.
Westlake Village CA 91362
(805) 495-0837

Friday, Oct. 28, 2005
Reception
Westlake Village Inn
31943 Agoura Rd
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(818) 889-0230

If you would like to send flowers or cards, please address to the following:

Faye Linder
5631 Keokuk Avenue
Woodland Hills , CA 91367

Brivo Systems Announces Release of New Online Application

Brivo Systems announced the release of updated software that uses html, rather than images, for faster download times, larger data displays and ease of resizing the browser window.

“We’ve redesigned the user interface from the bottom up to improve navigation, readability, and most importantly, ease of use,” said Steve Van Till, executive vice president and chief technology officer for Brivo Systems.

Member Benefit Spotlight: Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants

Provide affordable employer-paid health insurance benefit packages for your employees through Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants (MMIC). Call Ed Sturczek for a customized quote offered to NBFAA member companies both large and small. For more information about group health insurance, visit their Web site at www.mmicinsurance.com or pick up the summer issue of Newsline and read about MMIC in an article called, “Finding an Alternative Approach to Funding Health Insurance Costs.”

Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants
800) 349-1039 x15
www.mmicinsurance.com

Editor’s Perspective: An Inside Look at Verified Response

By Jessica Garcia
NBFAA Communications Coordinator

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, the Dallas City Council held a second public hearing concerning the issue of Verified Response (VR). In order to get a firsthand view of the situation, I decided to attend the hearing at city hall.

As a member of the audience, I soon came to realize that the issue of alarm response has many faces: a mother of three young children, an elderly couple, an average citizen, a crime victim, the president of a homeowners association, a family with disabled children, and a business owner. I was amazed to see that all these people who represented different races, ages and occupations had gathered for one reason: alarm response.

Though the majority of attendees bared a sticker on their chests that said, “Vote No to Verified Response,” some did come to support it.

The two-hour public hearing was the second held this month to discuss what Mayor Laura Miller called an “emotional issue.” With more than 50 people signed up to speak before the council, I wasn’t able to sit in the main auditorium but rather sat in an overflow room that had to be opened an hour before the meeting even began.

Mayor Miller reminded everyone the purpose of the hearing was not to vote on the issue, but to allow for more voices to be heard.

Police Chief David Kunkle was asked to make his comments before the speakers were to come forward. Kunkle said VR was the single greatest opportunity to free up police time, which received some sneers from the audience.

Julian Peterson, the second vice president of his homeowners association and the crime watch chair in his East Dallas neighborhood, said he personally endorsed Kunkle’s comments. Peterson said more citizens need to be involved; the city needs more officers, and therefore taxes should be raised to hire more.

But the overwhelming majority of speakers at the hearing were against VR. The opposition made claims like:

• Responsible alarm owners were being unfairly punished
• Nothing deters crime better than police on the streets
• The data published for VR is distorted and dishonest
• Police do their job so criminals don’t do theirs
• Charge alarm owners for false alarms and make the process self-leveling

Anyone who reads the paper or watches the news is aware that this issue has also gained a large amount of local media coverage. The Dallas Morning News published several articles that make readers think twice about their decision for VR including the article, “Taxpayers’ money used to lobby city,” by Dave Levinthal. The article takes an in depth look at why taxpayers’ money was used to promote only one-side of the VR issue.

The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) and the North Texas Alarm Association (NTAA) have also been involved with city and consumer groups to get out all the facts about VR. NBFAA agrees with the actions of SIAC and NTAA, and believes that the more citizens that get involved with alarm management issues like VR; the more likely we are to get the whole story. We need public involvement.

I encourage you to stay tuned to NBFAA Communications and we will keep you up to date on the latest information on important industry issues like VR and let you know how you can help aid our industry.

Police Dispatch Quality Award Program Continues to Seek Entries for 2006

The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) and the False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA) are continuing to seek entries for the Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) 2006 Award program.  

The award is designed to recognize alarm installing and monitoring companies following established industry practices in order to reduce the number of unnecessary police dispatch requests.

The deadline for PDQ Award submissions is Dec. 1, 2005. Applications and other information can be found at http://www.siacinc.org/PDQ.asp.