Members Proclaim First ‘NBFAA Day on Capitol Hill’ a Success

IRVING, Texas

The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) says its grassroots effort to educate Congress members about the importance of fire detection systems and other safety concerns was a resounding success.

More than 40 NBFAA members, including association board representatives and state leaders from across the United States, joined the association’s Government Relations team during the event, held May 1-2. In addition to visits to Capitol Hill offices, members met with Congressmen Jim Saxton (R-N.J.) and Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.) at evening events, and with Congressman Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) at a luncheon at the Capitol Hill Club.

NBFAA strongly supports recent legislation introduced by Fossella and several co-sponsors. The new legislation, H.R. 1409, the “College Life Safety and Fire Prevention Act,” would establish a demonstration incentive program within the U.S. Department of Education to promote the professional installation of fire alarm detection systems or other fire prevention technologies in qualified student housing, dormitories and other university buildings. Congressman Arcuri is one of the bill sponsors.

“The 2007 Day on Capitol Hill was a great opportunity for our members to meet with their elected representatives and to tell them what’s needed to protect the citizens in their communities and to enhance public safety in the United States,” says NBFAA President George Gunning. “It was a chance to make a difference, and I believe we were successful.”

During the Capitol Hill visits, NBFAA members lobbied elected officials to support passage of H.R. 1409 by co-sponsoring the bill, support passage out of the House Education and Labor Committee and the U.S. House, and that the bill be introduced in the U.S. Senate, with the ultimate passage of this life-safety legislation.

Other legislative issues NBFAA members discussed with congressional representatives:

     

  • Advanced mobile phone system (AMPS) transition rules
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  • Secure America’s Homes and Businesses Act
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  • Long Term Care Life Safety Act
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  • Federal background checks for electronic life-safety, security and systems professionals
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  • Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) language

“The day was a resounding success,” says John Chwat, NBFAA Government Relations director. “The impact was very positive, and we plan to build on this experience in 2008 when we do it again.”

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