- attain NY State Licensing,
- maintain industry recognized certifications (such as NTS & NICET),
- improve proficiency in new technologies, and
- help to grow your business bottom line.
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Level One Certified Alarm Technician CourseThis class is designed for staff and business owners who have at least 3 months experience.
Those who have less than 3 months experience are welcome to take this course, but should expect to make an extra effort.
In 22 hours of intensive instruction, this program provides an overview on the theory, installation and maintenance of alarm systems.
The course of study includes: · Introduction · Basic Electricity · Standards · Perimeter Detection · Space Detection · Fire Systems · Control Panels · Communications · CCTV · Job Planning · False Alarm Prevention · 300+ page Reference Manual · Certification Exam |
IMPORTANT NOTICE ON FIRE INSPECTION
AND FIRE ALARM SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
By Larry Huff, President, Long Island Alarm Association
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT
There is a looming situation in the downstate areas of Long island and New York City that could impact on ALL OF US that do fire alarm installations and service. From April 2012 through Late August, 2012 the New York City Fire Department developed a licensing requirement for the Inspection, Testing & Service of Fire Alarms. The major requirement is that all Technicians performing that task must have a NICET II certification or take a Department test.NYC gave those involved 18 months to be compliant.
About the same time on Long Island the fire marshal of the Village of Lake Grove implemented a local policy that requires all technicians servicing fire alarm systems to be NICET II certified in fire alarm systems. Then a couple months ago the same fire marshal implemented the NICET requirement in the Village of Mastic Beach. When both policies were enacted companies were given six (6) months to get their technicians certified. ( not very much time for three days of training and sitting for a NICET Exam)
LEGALITY
The Long Island Alarm Association inquired with both NYS and legal counsel if this policy violates Article 6D. It doesn’t. An AHJ can establish local policy that does not affect NYS alarm licensing or NYS Code Enforcement guidelines. Please refer to Article 6D, General business Law, §69-z,2, Applicability, which states : “The provisions of this article shall govern notwithstanding any other law to the contrary; provided, however, that local law shall govern with respect to inspection of fire alarms by a fire marshal or any other person designated under such local law;”
What is NICET ?
For those of you who don’t know NICET is a nationally recognized, non-profit division of the National Society of Professional Engineers. They provide certifications for individuals in engineering, engineering technology and related disciplines. For more information visit their site at www.nicet.org. Nicet certification can prove to be costly and time consuming.
Typically the technician should attend a prep course prior to taking the test. This course typically runs 2-4 days, costing between $500 and $800. Once they have completed the course the Level I test is taken and must be passed before proceeding to the Level II test.
On average this can take six (6) to eighteen (18) months to achieve Level II certification.
The general consensus is that the Nicet II requirement by local AHJ’s will expand and eventually be a NYS requirement. I would encourage every member to investigate NICET and seriously think about getting your tech’s certified.
Reference Links
NICET Website: www.nicet.org
Testing Centers: http://www.nicet.org/certificants/schedule-exam.cfm
Forms and Publications: http://www.nicet.org/candidates/forms.cfm
AHJ’s Requiring NICET Certification:
http://www.lakegroveny.gov/documents/LGFireAlarmPlanSubmittalRequirements.pdf
http://www.masticbeachvillageny.gov/?page_id=10
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/cof_study_material/s_98_study_material.pdf
By Ron Petrarca, Membership Chair
One of my least favorite things in life is observing how the political system in this country works. It’s not who you know but how much money you have to sling around that gets things done in Government. Do you need to get caught up in that game? The answer is, if you don’t know someone in government, you don’t have a chance.
Here are some Questions and Answers that may put things in perspective for you.
1) If I’m a dues paying member, why am I asked to contribute to the Political Action Committee (PAC) ?
Answer: The law prohibits an association to contribute to a PAC fund. Contributions can only be made by a person or company.
2) Why do we need a PAC Fund?
Answer: The reality of our times dictate that we must have our voice heard to get action and make our causes known to those we elect in Albany. The New York Alarm PAC enables your voice to be heard on important issues that affects us all.
3) Why is so much money needed?
Answer: It is important for our industry to support State Legislators that have supported us, plus for us to get our message to those that can assist and become our allies.
Let’s face it the political system money drives the Legislator’s attention. We have to cover the entire State. $15,000 is modest compared to national trade associations/ unions, etc. Jim McCully, the Albany lobbyist for our association, says that the $15,000 goal, would have a significant impact.
4) In addition to the PAC, there is a Lobbyist, Why?
Answer: The Lobbyist keeps abreast of issues in Albany that can have an impact on the Industry. Compliance Bills is one example, Laws that can affect the way we do business in addition to which Legislator we can approach when we need to deal with that issue.
5) How do I get more information?
Answer: Go online now to : www.nyalarmpac.org. · If each member of the New York Burglar Fire Alarm Association would contribute just $50 to NYALARM PAC at a minimum, we could easily achieve the $15,000 goal. That is a small price to pay for making Albany know that we are here.
As Tim Creenan, NYALARMPAC Chair said:
“No one else is going to stand up for security / fire alarm professionals but security / fire alarm professionals themselves, collectively. This is why it’s so important that every licensed security / fire alarm professional in New York State make a sizable contribution to New York Alarm PAC. We can’t do it without you and we will be substantially more effective because of you”
GO TODAY TO WWW.NYALARMPAC.ORG PLEASE
By Ron Petrarca
After 40 years in this industry, I’m amazed at the general attitude about Trade Associations. Some folks join for the educational opportunities, others with the intention of mingling with their competitors and others to strive to improve the industry.
But, there are those that look only for the material value. The “bang for the buck”. What can you do for me?
I have served as a volunteer in Associations since the 1980s. I watched this industry grow from dry cell batteries and relays to the electronic marvel that has complicated this trade with such wizardry. What have I learned from all of this?.
That you can’t survive without belonging to a group. You need the interaction with others to do what you do. You learn, you teach, you do battle as a group with those entities that want to cut you down and hold you back.
I propose this question: Are you capable of fighting the dragons of change and regulation by yourself? Unless you have deep pockets and the time to fight the battles that have to be won, you can’t do it without belonging to a group.
Tax Hunger The economy isn’t so wonderful with the onslaught of municipalities that are broke (for a number of ridicules reasons). They have hung a target on this industry with fees and fines. Almost weekly you can pick up the newspaper and another “fee” has been invented. How dumb has it become? Some municipalities have come up with registration fees for the homeowner that exceed the value of the security that they pay for.
Example. One Village has a $100 per year fire permit fee and $75 per incident fine if it’s declared to be unnecessary. Why am I telling you this? Simple, try and fight this kind of bad government alone. You need to belong to a group that has the voice to be heard..
The Education Chip Along with the Tax Hunger comes the education chip. Before too long you will be filling the requirements of municipalities to comply with continuing education. Some municipalities in downstate New York have thrown the NICET requirement into fire service, inspection and maintenance functions. They have singled out the field technician and not the license qualifier. This opens a door for continuing education long overdue for this industry. So where do you go to meet these requirements?
There are professional, personal, and business growth opportunities through the ESA National Training School (NTS) that are available to the State association and local chapters. In addition to many locally provided classroom programs, there are more than 2,500 online business skills courses available at member-discounted rates. The power of belonging to a group.
The Legislative Bomb Lets face facts, the government operates in a vacuum. Laws get passed without any input from those affected by them. The industry has been typically reactive so when the law gets passed, we scramble to organize the members.
Here is how it works, A law gets passed, you find out about it after it’s law then everyone jumps around after the harm is done and it’s too late to get anything done. When you belong to a group that monitors legislative activity, they lobby in your behalf at the national, state, and local levels to protect your vested interests.
The Insurance Edge If you try and survive in the trade without insurance, you are committing suicide. The cost of insurance can extremely expensive and is based mainly on the existence and quality of your contracts. As a member company of the Association, you are eligible to participate in an association underwritten insurance program that offers up to five million dollars in general liability/errors & omissions (E&O) insurance through the ESA Security America Risk Retention Group at significant discounts over other insurance companies..
Connection and Communication
Probably the most important benefit to belonging to a group is receiving Industry relevant communication via regular mail, the Web site, electronic email postings, quarterly newsletters, and broadcast alerts. As a group member you stay current on technological updates, legislative issues, professional and staff training.
When contemplating the “Bang for the Buck” it is more than just a fee for membership. It is belonging to a group that works for the benefit of all the members collectively.
New York State Electronic Security Association 