‘Tenacious’ FARA Co-Founder to Step Down as President

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Norma Beaubien, who co-founded the groundbreaking False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA) in 1997, will step down from her post as president on April 23. Beaubian is the only individual to ever serve in the association’s top leadership position.

FARA consists mainly of government and public safety agency employees who manage or take part in false alarm reduction units. The association works to facilitate the exchange of information, influence legislation and strengthen communications among law enforcement, alarm companies and end users.

“It takes someone of Norma’s character — she is tenacious, strong-willed — to keep a good balance between people with diverse points of view,” Stan Martin, executive director of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), tells SSI. “FARA could have fallen apart in the first year or two, but because of her tenacity and professionalism she was able to hold it together.”

As director of Montgomery County (Md.) Department of Police False Alarm Reduction Section, Beaubien is also credited for guiding the department to one of the lowest false alarm rates in the United States. Current FARA Vice President James Cogswell, a member of the Leawood, Kan., police department, will assume the top role. Beaubian, an inductee to SSI’s Hall of Fame, will continue on the FARA board of directors as immediate past president.

“It is time to open up new positions and allow new people into leadership roles so the association can grow and keep moving forward,” Beaubian says. “It has been a great ride but it is time for me to go. I have taken the association as far as I can take it.”

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