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In This Issue

• Association News
  Updated State Licensing Guide Now Available
  NBFAA Government Relations Takes the Lead
  We are Listening and We Want to Hear from You
  Membership Renewal Reminder
  Check Again! NTS Course Schedule Updated Regularly

• NBFAA Calendar of Events
  2006 Spring Conference and Golf Dates

• Chapter News
  Alabama Makes History: New Bylaws, New President
  WNYAA Welcomes New Board

• New Associate Members
  NBFAA Welcomes Several New Associate Members

• Member News
  Interface Security Systems Announces New Sales Manager for Memphis
  Credit Card Processing Now Available for Micro Key Software Users
  Digimerge Expands Customer Service Team
  Member Benefit Spotlight: Wildbullet.com

• Industry Product News
  Digimerge Delivers New Underwater Camera
  Tri-Ed’s Garden Grove Location Offers Product Showcases

• In The News
  NBFAA in the News
  Recent Press Releases

Summary

Association News

Updated State Licensing Guide Now Available
The 2005 state licensing guide is now available online. This guide has been prepared to familiarize you with the licensing requirements in the various states and should be used to begin the process of talking to the state regulators and state associations.

NBFAA Government Relations Takes the Lead
NBFAA members can look forward to an active year in the Government Relations arena. From state legislation to the U.S. Congress, NBFAA is leading the industry to benefit members.

We are Listening and We Want to Hear from You
NBFAA Communications is working hard to keep you informed and up to date on issues through a number of communications products. We want to ensure that we are meeting your needs and providing the right information, at the right time, in the right format. To better understand what you, the members, want to see from us, we are asking you to complete a brief survey.

Membership Renewal Reminder
It’s that time of year again. Membership renewals have been mailed, so please review your invoice and send back with payment at your earliest convenience. Membership kits will soon be on their way!

Check Again! NTS Course Schedule Updated Regularly
New dates, locations and courses for NTS are frequently submitted to the NBFAA and we update them on our Web site regularly, so if you haven’t found what you are looking for make sure to check back often.

NBFAA Calendar of Events

2006 Spring Conference Dates
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events and dates. The 2006 NBFAA Spring Conference and CSA symposium is on its way!

Chapter News

Alabama Makes History: New Bylaws, New President
The Alabama Alarm Association (AAA) held a special meeting in December to vote on new bylaws that would increase membership involvement by changing their board structure. Additionally, the first woman president was elected, Kristi Harris.

WNYAA Welcomes New 2006 Board
The Western New York Alarm Association recently announced their new 2006 Board of Directors.

New Associate Members

NBFAA Welcomes Several New Associate Members
Support from the NBFAA Associate members strengthens our ability to provide more value, representation, advocacy, information, exposure, training and support to our members.

Member News

Interface Security Systems Announces New Sales Manager for Memphis
Interface Security Systems LLC, a Midwest regional electronic security company and a member of NBFAA, recently announced the addition of Darrell Spencer as their new Sales Manager for the Memphis, Tenn. branch.

Credit Card Processing Now Available for Micro Key Software Users
Micro Key Software, an associate member company of NBFAA and a provider of software solutions to the security alarm industry, announced an agreement with CheckFree Corporation enabling Millennium Series users to accept both credit cards and bank drafts from their customers.

Digimerge Expands Customer Service Team
As part of its ongoing commitment to be a leader in the industry in customer service, Digimerge announced the hiring of two new support professionals.

Member Benefit Spotlight: Wildbullet.com
Streamline the hiring process by enlisting the services of NBFAA member benefit company Wildbullet.com. Save time and money by only looking at qualified companies and candidates from the security industry.

Industry Product News

Digimerge Delivers New Underwater Camera
Digimerge announced the launch of a new submersible camera: the DCB 106991. It is designed for underwater applications like swimming pools and high humidity applications like car washes.

Tri-Ed’s Garden Grove Location Offers Product Showcases
Area dealers are invited to stop by Tri-Ed’s Garden Grove, Calif., branch every Wednesday in February and March from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and product training. A different manufacturer will be participating each week to showcase products.

In The News

NBFAA in the News
Recent Press Releases

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Association News

Updated State Licensing Guide Now Available

The state licensing guide is now available online. This guide, which is free to members, has been prepared to familiarize you with the licensing requirements in the various states and should be used to begin the process of talking to your state regulators and associations.

The guide is available in the Members Only section on the NBFAA Web site. Non-members may purchase the guide with a one-year online subscription. For more information about the subscription, please contact NBFAA Executive Assistant Terri Jones at (888) 447-1689 ext. 204 or by e-mail at TerriJ@alarm.org. If you have lost your login information for the Members Only section please e-mail membership specialist, Avia Rice at AviaR@alarm.org.

Should you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the Government Relations staff at NBFAA.

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NBFAA Government Relations Takes the Lead

NBFAA members can look forward to an active year in the Government Relations arena. The NBFAA Government Relations program provides four essential services to the members:

• Advanced warning through monitoring and reporting on federal and state legislation effecting the association;
• Representation in industry groups and before the US Congress/US Government providing advocacy for the association;
• Special projects to assist individual states in their legislative and policy projects;
• Developing new areas of outreach based on NBFAA member interests that can translate into sales and marketing opportunities.

The following outlines recent Government Relations activity and upcoming projects.

State Government Relations

Each month the NBFAA State Legislative Report (SLR) provides an early warning that identifies bills in each state that will have an impact on business operations in that state. Some recent examples of state activities include:

• In Maryland, key law enforcement and state legislator speakers were secured and industry member companies were invited to a Legislative Forum to review key bills that will affect the industry in 2006.
• Analysis and assistance was developed in the low voltage area for Idaho and Washington in anticipation of their 2006 state legislature.
• A special report was prepared for Georgia on licensing options, low voltage education amendments to their law and strategy and tactics for the 2006-year.

Federal Government Relations

There are major projects underway for 2006 in several federal agencies where NBFAA has taken the lead and is working hard for its members. These include:

• Secured support from officials within the US Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Office of Apprenticeship and Employment Services, to work closely with the NBFAA in developing national standards for an NBFAA apprenticeship program.
• Monitored the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and reported on telecommunications rules and policies that affect the members, in concert with industry groups such as the AICC (see below).
• Developed strategies to present the NBFAA educational programs to various federal departments and agencies.

U.S. Congress The NBFAA has embarked on three major outreach programs in the US Congress, and 2006 will see the expansion of these priorities. First, to elevate in all possible areas, the life safety/detection community with initiatives already underway by the “suppression” community. Second, to secure tax benefits for customers in residential and commercial markets for the professional installation of security devices. Third, to be visible and active on Capitol Hill on behalf of the NBFAA members.

Status of these efforts:

• Rep. Vito Fossella (R-NY) is not only supportive but also fully engaged in seeking to pass his bill, HR 4460, which is the first Congressional legislation that includes life safety/detection as a key component of fire prevention. The Congressman has targeted the House Education and the Workforce Committee where the bill will be decided as the key to passing the matching Department of Education grant program for colleges and universities. The NBFAA is networking support for the bill. HR4460 is just the start to making fire alarm detection and life safety a priority—future activity on Capitol Hill is already underway in nursing home legislation, hospitals, and a host of other sectors.
• Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) is pursing a major initiative this year in convincing the House Ways and Means Committee to consider and pass HR3362, the tax deduction bill for home and business professional installation of security devices. The bill is generating support within the House of Representatives and in the industry. It is the first Congressional bill to address benefits for the installer community with their customer base.
• Working with the industry, the NBFAA is engaged with leaders and members in both the House and Senate that have jurisdiction over telecommunications to approve language in a major 2006 telecommunications bill that address concerns on VoIP installation.
• The NBFAA is working with a legislative branch agency, the General Accounting Office (GAO) in a major study of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Services “mega centers” on their alarm monitoring and dispatch control activities and security services. Working with the Congress who asked for the study, and the GAO, NBFAA is involved in supporting the GAO interests in the industry. This report will be made available to Congress later this year and might result in increased appropriations and funding for these programs.
• The NBFAA has embarked on a special Congressional lobbying effort to extend the sunset date of February 2008 for the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) transition from analog to digital. Working with the AICC, the NBFAA is asking members of Congress to weigh-in with the AICC in their request for an extension that will be made shortly to the FCC.
• The NBFAA is active and involved with business groups on a host of issues, especially the Association Health Plans (AHP) legislation which is pending in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. We are a part of a larger AHP Coalition of hundreds of associations coordinated by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). The NBFAA is also active in E-waste legislation, construction and building standards legislation and homeland security bills that will be considered in 2006.

Industry Groups

2006 will be a very active year for NBFAA leadership in many industry groups. In the last six months, NBFAA has been at the forefront of industry meetings, participating actively in all matters and voicing concerns on behalf of the membership in groups such as:

• The Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC)
• The Electronic Systems Industry Consortium (ESIC)
• The International Code Council

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We Are Listening and We Want to Hear from You NBFAA Communications is working hard to keep you informed and up to date on issues through a number of communications products. We want to ensure that we are meeting your needs and providing the right information, at the right time, in the right format. To better understand what you, the members, want to see from us, we are asking you to complete a brief survey (go here). You can also visit www.alarm.org and go to the “We Want to Hear from You” center. All open surveys are listed in the NBFAA Survey Center.

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Membership Renewal Reminder

It’s that time of year again. Membership renewals have been mailed, so please review your invoice and send back with payment at your earliest convenience. Membership kits will soon be on their way!

If you haven’t received your invoice or have other questions, please contact Membership Specialist Avia Rice at (888) 447-1689 extension 205.

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Check Again! NTS Course Schedule Updated Regularly

New dates, locations and courses for NTS are frequently submitted to the NBFAA and we update them on our Web site regularly, so if you haven’t found what you are looking for make sure to check back often. The following NTS courses are available in February. Scheduled courses for the remainder of 2006 is available in the Professional Development section.

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NBFAA Calendar of Events

2006 Spring Conference Dates

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events and dates. The 2006 NBFAA Spring Conference and CSA symposium is on its way!

	NBFAA Awards Luncheon Giving honor where honor is due. Join the annual awards luncheon on April 3 from noon to 1:30 p.m. where NBFAA will honor outgoing leaders for their guidance, dedication, and service to the industry. Special awards will be presented by NBFAA President, Scot Colby. For more information call (888) 447-1689 go to www.alarm.org.
	3rd Annual AIREF/NBFAA Golf Tournament On Tuesday, April 4, the day before ISC West opens, Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (AIREF) and NBFAA will host the third annual AIREF/NBFAA Golf Tournament. With proceeds from the event going to support AIREF’s industry research and outreach, this is truly a day of Golf Without Guilt for participants at the Revere Golf Club, one of Las Vegas’ premier golf courses. Afterwards, relax, socialize, and network while joining fellow tournament players at the clubhouse for a “meet-and-greet” post-play cocktail.
	AIREF/NBFAA Evening Event After the golf tournament, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. AIREF and NBFAA will host an Evening Event where the prestigious Morris F. Weinstock and Sara E. Jackson Awards will be presented at the Tangerine Lounge & Nightclub at Treasure Island.

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Chapter News

Alabama Makes History: New Bylaws, New President

The Alabama Alarm Association (AAA) held a special meeting in December to vote on new bylaws that would increase membership involvement by changing their board structure. Additionally, the first woman president was elected, Kristi Harris of ESC Central.

Originally, the bylaws had been set up so that seven board members were elected at large from regular members, then the president, four regional vice presidents, secretary and treasurer were decided by the board for that year, said Harris.

“The new bylaws establish an improved structure in which the Board of Directors includes the officers therefore establishing designated positions and duties for them to handle,” she said.

Now there are twelve positions on the board that consists of a president, four regional vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, three directors-at-large and two newly created positions: a public safety director and an associate director. All positions are nominated and voted on by the general membership.

The new 2006 Board Members are:

WNYAA Welcomes New 2006 Board

The Western New York Alarm Association (WNYAA) recently announced their new 2006 WNYAA Board of Directors. The NBFAA joins in the celebrations and congratulates the following individuals for their new roles in the WNYAA:

In addition to the elections in December, the third Annual WNYAA Holiday Toy Drive collected approximately $500 in brand new toys. Members had the opportunity to donate an unwrapped toy at the December General Membership Meeting.

The toys were delivered to The Buffalo Salvation Army for distribution to families in need of holiday assistance in Western New York.

"I would like to thank our members for their kindness and generosity which will go a long way toward making this a nicer holiday season for a lot of deserving people," said WNYAA President John Sperrazza.

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New Associate Members

NBFAA Welcomes Several New Associate Members

Support from the NBFAA Associate members strengthens our ability to provide more value, representation, advocacy, information, exposure, training and support to our members.

Join us in officially welcoming our New Associate Members who have joined us since June, 2005:

	Alarm Capital Alliance (ACA) At Alarm Capital Alliance (ACA), we believe your company’s future begins with keeping everything you’ve worked to achieve: your name, your identity, and your customer relationships. We are in the business of purchasing accounts – as many or as few as you wish through a one-time purchase or on an on-going basis. With ACA, you maintain your independence and name, continue to generate revenue, and enjoy an unprecedented level of flexibility.
	DataCom Systems DataCom Systems provides networking and data communications solutions for a wide variety of government and corporate entities. The company specializes in the storage, transmission and retrieval of data with an emphasis on receiving and recording encrypted video feeds. They design Digital Video Servers (DVS) that are the integral component of advanced server-based security and surveillance networks, and their products range from entry-level models to full rack-mount and enterprise level security and surveillance networks.
	Dice Corporation In 1983, Dice Corporation started as a sole proprietorship and since has grown to become a principal developer of security applications. Today, our central station and business management software includes the most efficient alarm monitoring, accounting, disaster recovery, and video monitoring software available, and we fully implement and deploy these products throughout the world. Our services provide a fully integrated solution that is aimed at reducing data entry and increasing signal handling productivity.
	EMERgency 24 EMERgency 24 is a UL listed central station based in Chicago with branch operations in Washington D.C., Detroit and LA. A leader in providing wholesale alarm monitoring services to alarm installation companies nationwide, EMERgency 24 has protected the lives and property of millions of subscribers for over 38 years. Proprietary software solutions, flexible service offerings, personalized service and enhanced network and system capabilities are some of the reasons alarm dealers choose EM24 over the competition.
	KMS Consulting, Inc. KMS Consulting, Inc. was formed in 2004 to provide account acquisition assistance, affordable software solutions, and database integration capabilities to small businesses. With over 20 years of combined experience in service related industries including Security and Telecom, we are uniquely poised to provide you with the personalized care that you deserve. Providing your company with the most effective and cost-efficient services will always remain our goals.
	Tri-Ed Distribution Tri-Ed Distribution is a leading North American distributor of low voltage security and home residential systems equipment. With over 33 branches across the U.S, Canada and Puerto Rico, Tri-Ed provides a full range of products from hundreds of the leading vendors in the industry. Product categories distributed are Burglary, Fire, CCTV, Access Control, Sound & Communications and Structured Cabling. Tri-Ed’s unbiased distribution approach allows us to customize our sales approach to meet any customer’s needs.
	Work ’N Gear As a NBFAA associate member we are now offering a discounted apparel program to all NBFAA members. I invite you to experience the convenience of outfitting your crew with a customized Work ’N Gear uniform program. Choose from an unbeatable selection of uniforms, work apparel and footwear for your industry. Our state-of-the-art in-house embroidery department can personalize almost any item with your company logo.

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Member News

Interface Security Systems Announces New Sales Manager for Memphis Interface Security Systems LLC, a Midwest regional electronic security company and a member of NBFAA, recently announced the addition of Darrell Spencer as their new Sales Manager for the Memphis, Tenn., branch. Spencer has seven years of security experience managing all facets of security sales coupled with an additional twelve years as a District Sales Manager for the Campbell Soup Company in eight states of the southeast region. Prior to joining Interface, Spencer worked as a Sales manager for ADT. :: top ::

Credit Card Processing Now Available for Micro Key Software Users

Micro Key Software, an associate member company of NBFAA and a provider of software solutions to the security alarm industry, announced an agreement with CheckFree Corporation enabling Millennium Series users to accept both credit cards and bank drafts from their customers.

Micro Key said they could now offer clients the convenience and reliability of electronic processing, providing them with increased, predictable cash flow while significantly reducing their overhead.

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Digimerge Expands Customer Service Team

As part of its ongoing commitment to be a leader in the industry in customer service, Digimerge announced the hiring of two new support professionals.

Peter Pecic and Rick Buchanan offer additional experience and support to the Digimerge team, said Alan Bass, president of Digimerge Technologies Inc.

Pecic will begin as the New Customer Service Representative and Buchanan as the New Technical Analyst. Pecic brings to the company 10 years experience in his field and Buchanan brings eight years of technical experience.

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Member Benefit Spotlight: Wildbullet.com

Wildbullet.com (888) 528-6729

Streamline the hiring process by enlisting the services of NBFAA member benefit company Wildbullet.com. Save time and money by only looking at qualified companies and candidates from the security industry. Takes the guesswork out of the search and let Wildbullet.com be your one-stop shop for all your employment needs! For more information, call Eric Freedman today or visit www.wildbullet.com.

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Industry Product News

Digimerge Delivers New Underwater Camera

Digimerge announced the launch of a new submersible camera: the DCB 106991. It is designed for underwater applications like swimming pools and high humidity applications like car washes.

The camera features a sealed metal housing and is waterproof up to a depth of 100 feet. The 3.6 mm wide-angle lens allows it to monitor large sections of a pool and the camera delivers performance under the low light conditions often found underwater. The company said the camera has exceptional picture quality provided by the 1/3” CCD and comes with a 100 foot cable, versatile mounting bracket and power supply.

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Tri-Ed’s Garden Grove Location Offers Product Showcases

Area dealers are invited to stop by Tri-Ed’s Garden Grove, Calif., branch every Wednesday in February and March from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and product training. A different manufacturer will be participating each week to showcase products.

The schedule includes the following: Feb. 1: Eureka Feb. 8: ICC Feb. 15: Cops Monitoring Feb. 22: In & Out day/Garage sale March 1: Keri & Macuraco March 8: Samsung GVI March 15: New Wave Audio

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