NBFAA has begun accepting applications for the 2010 Youth Scholarship Program which will award $10,000 in scholarships to two children of active duty police officers and firefighters. The first place winner will receive $7,500 to put towards their college education and the second place winner will receive $2,500.

Since the NBFAA Youth Scholarship Program was created in 1996, the association and its affiliated Chartered Chapter Associations have donated more than $300,000 in scholarship funds to students whose parents are police and fire officials.

Eligible students must be between 15 and 20 years old, a graduating high school senior and have been accepted for admission to an accredited college or university. Each eligible student must have a father, mother or natural guardian who is a full-time police officer or firefighter. Students will be required to write an essay titled, “What it means to me to have my parent or guardian involved in securing our community.”

Students residing in a state with a participating NBFAA Chartered Chapter Association must enter through their state-level scholarship program to be considered for the national awards. The winners from each state are automatically considered for the national scholarship. Students who reside in a state without an NBFAA chapter or in a non-participating state should submit their applications directly to NBFAA of which one student will be chosen to compete with the state winners.

Awards are based on a combination of academic achievement, national test scores, extracurricular participation and the essay. The deadline for submitting applications is March 31, 2010. For complete scholarship rules and a list of participating states visit NBFAA’s Web site at www.alarm.org and click on Public Safety.

This is a powerful tool for you to use to build relationships with local law enforcement and fire officials. Visit them and make sure that they are aware of this program for their children. You will no doubt earn a feather for your cap!

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National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) members voted 79 percent to 21 percent to approve the recommendation of their board of directors to change the name of their 61-year-old association to the Electronic Security Association (ESA). The vote came after a summer-long dialogue among leaders and members on the merits of updating the name to more accurately reflect the type of work being performed both by members and the association itself.

The association’s spring 2009 member profile survey showed strong involvement of members in the video surveillance and access control categories, with better than half of members’ installation revenues projected to come from categories other than intrusion and fire alarms by 2012.

In addition, while the association continues to deliver vibrant and essential programs and services for the alarm sector, it has substantially grown and broadened its programs and initiatives for other categories in the past several years. For example:

• Its National Training School (NTS) has broadened the scope of its Level 1 training and certification (required by many states to obtain and maintain a license) to include technical fundamentals on video and access along with alarms.
• NTS has also added classroom courses on Video Systems Technology and Electronic Access Control and will soon introduce online versions of the courses and companion certifications.
• The association is developing Technology Interest Groups (TIGs) for Video Surveillance, Electronic Access Control and Residential Custom Electronics. The most evolved is the Video Surveillance TIG which is planning to develop …
• online applications information and forums,
• online guides for using video for intrusion verification
• online guides for garnering recurring revenue from video surveillance
• a legislative initiative to drive mandates for surveillance similar to those implemented recently in Baltimore County, MD.
• The Electronic Security Expo (co-owned and sponsored by the association along with CSAA) features a large number of video surveillance and access control suppliers and dozens of seminars focusing on these categories.

“We’re excited to have both the leadership and rank and file of the association overwhelmingly behind our new name and the bigger, broader mission it implies,” said Michael A. Miller, president of the Electronic Security Association. “Many of us had fond feelings for the old name and great pride in all the association has accomplished, but the new name not only more accurately reflects the reality of the association, it positions us for dynamic growth in membership and service to the industry.”

NBFAA is pleased to announce the following special introductory offer to members who choose to take advantage of the Weather Decision Technologies, Inc. Member Value Program discount.

Members who sign up a minimum of 100 accounts for the NOTUS® Emergency and Weather Alerting Forecast Service are eligible to offer the full NOTUS Premium package (see details below) for a three-month period FREE OF CHARGE as an incentive for rapid new user adoption. This member discount applies to any new customers signing up for a period of three months.

In addition, members are offered a $250 discount on the setup of a special interactive weather map called iMap, which provides high quality weather data, including nationwide watches and warnings and interactive radar. With iMap you can see severe weather patterns real time, and track weather phenomena, right down to the street level.

For details on the NOTUS Premium Package and instructions on how to manage new member sign-ups this discount system, please contact Frank Ryan at:

fryan@wdtinc.com
Office: 919-372-9130
Mobile: 919-619-4656

ABOUT THE NOTUS MARKETING SYSTEM

WDT’s NOTUS Emergency and Weather Alerting Service offers the opportunity for security companies to enhance recurring monthly revenue (RMR) opportunities by connecting their customers to timely emergency weather and other safety alerts, when they need them the most. NOTUS is a white-label, brandable product, requiring no hardware or software to be installed by the security company.

The WDT system provides the following key benefits for security companies:
• A system that boosts customer retention and brand awareness
• A marketing platform that creates daily positive interactions with your customers
• A method to improve customer risk assessments with daily weather conditions and alerts
• A value-added service to increase loyalty and RMR with no hardware costs

As an approved Member Value Program Provider and Associate Member of the NBFAA, WDT’s NOTUS alerting system offers security industry customers access to the widest array of weather, federal emergency watches, warnings and statements available in the market. With the NOTUS system, NBFAA members’ customers can be assured of maximum security and safety for themselves, their loved ones, and their most precious assets, the moment severe weather strikes or when other threats approach their immediate environment.

SIGN UP FOR THIS SPECIAL OFFER TODAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GREAT INCENTIVE PROGRAM!

On Tuesday, August 11, members of the New Jersey Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NJBFAA) voted to remain a chapter of NBFAA.

Throughout the decision-making process, NBFAA reiterated the benefits of being associated with a national association, such as strong representation on Capitol Hill and unified positions on issues impacting the industry. Additionally, supporters of NBFAA voiced their beliefs that NBFAA’s alliance of chapters provided value on the local, state and national levels through networking, support and representation as every NBFAA chapter contributes to the strength of the industry’s ‘collective voice’.

Through their votes, NJBFAA said that they understand the value of being affiliated with a strong partner like NBFAA. Both NJBFAA and NBFAA leadership look forward to the future and to establishing open communications for the benefit of their membership.

“The NJBFAA is pleased this meeting turned out to be a win-win for both organizations. The members have spoken. The leadership for both groups will move forward in an effort to strengthen the relationship, keep the lines of communication open and continue to do what’s best for the dealers,” said Christopher Mack, president of NJBFAA.

“NBFAA is gratified that New Jersey will retain its chapter status in our national alliance. Our strength is our ability to influence issues across the country for the benefit of all members, and the re-commitment of NJBFAA reinforces our ability to do this,” said NBFAA President Mike Miller.

Mark your calendar and start making plans to attend these exciting NBFAA events in 2010.

YSP Executive Forum
August 19 – 20, 2009
Aurora, IL
Young Security Professionals will gather in Aurora, IL (right outside Chicago) to share with, and learn from, other Young Security Professionals how best to weather the storm in a worrisome economy. A day and a half of business solutions and operational insights covered through best practice sharing in a non-competitive, open and enjoyable atmosphere. This event is full.

NBFAA Leadership Summit: Shaping the Future
Jan 12 – 15, 2010
Fort Worth, TX
The annual Leadership Summit will once again be held in Texas. This year, the venue will move to historic downtown Fort Worth. A cultural town that is proud of its cowboy heritage, Fort Worth has something to offer everyone looking for a real taste of Texas lifestyle.

AIREF Golf Classic
March 23
Las Vegas, NV
You know you love it – the annual AIREF Golf Classic in Las Vegas. Make sure you’re there to take part in a day of world class golfing with your industry colleagues and golf without guilt – because you’ll be supporting a great cause!

NBFAA Day on Capitol Hill
April 27 – 28
Washington, D.C.
The premiere lobbying event of the industry, Day on Capitol Hill offers NBFAA members an opportunity to sit down with their elected officials and lobby for programs and initiatives to benefit the electronic security industry.

Looking forward: 2010 NBFAA Summer Conference
June 14 – 18
Pittsburgh, PA

The NBFAA Summer Conference is where association leaders help shape the future of NBFAA and work to improve the business environment for the security industry. You can make a difference – join us for the 2010 NBFAA Summer Conference.

Electronic Security Expo (ESX) – Where Leaders are Made
June 14 – 18
Electronic Security Expo experienced its second year of success and the excitement continues to build. Be sure to register early for 2010 ESX – Where Leaders are Made. Book your hotel rooms in advance to ensure discounted, convenient accommodations.

Mark your calendar and start making plans to attend these exciting NBFAA events in 2010.

YSP Executive Forum
August 19 – 20, 2009
Aurora, IL
Young Security Professionals will gather in Aurora, IL (right outside Chicago) to share with, and learn from, other Young Security Professionals how best to weather the storm in a worrisome economy. A day and a half of business solutions and operational insights covered through best practice sharing in a non-competitive, open and enjoyable atmosphere. This event is full.

NBFAA Leadership Summit
Jan 12 – 15, 2010
Fort Worth, TX
The annual Leadership Summit will once again be held in Texas. This year, the venue will move to historic downtown Fort Worth. A cultural town that is proud of its cowboy heritage, Fort Worth has something to offer everyone looking for a real taste of Texas lifestyle.

AIREF Golf Classic
March 23
Las Vegas, NV
You know you love it – the annual AIREF Golf Classic in Las Vegas. Make sure you’re there to take part in a day of world class golfing with your industry colleagues.

NBFAA Day on Capitol Hill
April 27 – 28
Washington, D.C.
The premiere lobbying event of the industry, Day on Capitol Hill offers NBFAA members an opportunity to sit down with their elected officials and lobby for programs and initiatives to benefit the electronic security industry.

Looking forward: 2010 NBFAA Summer Conference and Electronic Security Expo
June 14 – 18
Pittsburgh, PA
2010 ESX Promo Video

The NBFAA Summer Conference is where association leaders help shape the future of NBFAA and work to improve the business environment for the security industry. You can make a difference – join us for the 2010 NBFAA Summer Conference.

Electronic Security Expo experienced its second year of success and the excitement continues to build. Be sure to register early for 2010 ESX – Where Leaders are Made. Book your hotel rooms in advance to ensure discounted, convenient accommodations.

NBFAA is pleased to announce that Tri-Ed, SDM and Secure-i, along with NBFAA Executive Strategic Partners, GE Security, Honeywell, ADI, Altronix and Security America Risk Retention Group, have committed to sponsoring the NBFAA Young Security Professionals (YSP) Executive Forum scheduled for August 19 – 20 in Aurora, IL, a suburb of Chicago.

The sold out Executive Forum will include a day and a half of business solutions and operational insights covered through best practice sharing in a non-competitive and open atmosphere. Young executives, ages 25 – 45, will have the opportunity to talk with, and learn from, other YSPs as well as mentors Mel Mahler of ADS Security and Ed Bonifas of Alarm Detection Systems how best to weather the storm in a worrisome economy. The forum will be hosted by Alarm Detection Systems headquartered in Aurora.

YSP sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Tonja Jenkins, Associate Executive Director, at tonjaj@alarm.org or call her at (888) 447-1689.