NBFAA Launches First Online NTS Course

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Recognizing that a new generation has grown up with the Internet and that classroom training is not always the most cost-effective route for its members, the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) has launched the first online version of one of its most recognized National Training School (NTS) courses.

The online launch of NBFAA's Alarm Technician (Level 1) Course, which went live on October 13, culminates more than a year of work to translate the traditional classroom setting into an Internet-based program. NBFAA chose to launch the online version of the Level 1 course first because it has been, and continues to be, the most popular NTS offering.

"Level 1 is the perfect vehicle for our online course launch," said NBFAA Director of Education Dale Eller. "For 20 years, we have watched a steady stream of technicians go through the Level 1 training in the classroom and subsequently enter the workforce."

The Level 1 online course presents an overview of the theory, installation and maintenance of alarm systems, basic electricity, standards, perimeter detection, space detection, fire systems, control panels, communications, CCTV, job planning, and false alarm prevention. The course is open to all, but designed for staff and business owners employed in the alarm industry for at least three months. The course reviews the operation, application, installation and maintenance of commonly used equipment and components and present industry standards and requirements. Because the online version of Level 1 is not a certification course, anyone wishing to become Certified Level 1 Alarm Technician should register for the proctored two-hour Certified Alarm Technician examination.
"There is clearly still a place for live classroom training, but we realize that there needed to be an alternative," Eller added. "Our online training creates the ultimate balance - it addresses newer learning methods and it supplements the existing live training for those security professionals for whom traveling to take a course is not possible."

NBFAA plans to launch two more online NTS courses, Fire Alarm Installation Methods and Advanced Burglar Alarm Technician, by early 2005.

NBFAA members will receive a 40 percent discount on registration. For further information contact NTS at 866-636-1687 or nts@alarm.org.

The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) is the nation's oldest and largest association 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, monitoring, CCTV, and access control. Working with a federation of state associations, NBFAA provides government advocacy and delivers timely information, professional development tools, products and services to its members. The NBFAA may be reached at 301-585-1855 or on the web at www.alarm.org.

###