A coalition of five state alarm associations has formed
what it says is a new electronic security association.
Those behind the formation of the National Electronic
Security Alliance (NESA) say it has been formed to provide
a greater voice to state associations and communication
between them, as well as promote federal legislation that
benefits the alarm industry.
Bylaws, officers and committee chairs were approved for the
formation of NESA on Dec. 17. Among the five founding state
associations are the burglar and fire alarm associations in
Virginia, Texas and Maryland. New associations are being
formed in Arkansas (Arkansas Security Alarm Association
[ASAA]) and Kansas (Kansas Electric Security Association
[KAA]) to join the new association. They will be separate
from the chartered burglar and fire alarm associations in
those states that will continue to be part of the National
Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA).
A decision by the NBFAA to nid=2029>sever ties with state associations that are not
full chartered members has drawn criticism from some in
the industry. However, Jordon Brown, who represents
Arkansas on NESA’s newly formed board, says the formation
of NESA isn’t necessarily meant as a condemnation of the
NBFAA. In fact, while helping to form the ASAA, Brown will
remain with the Arkansas Burglar and Fire Alarm Association
(ABFAA) and with the NBFAA.
“This is not to compete with NBFAA. We have no intention of
severing ties with the NBFAA. We just want to give state
alarm associations an alternative,” says Brown, with Fort
Smith, Ark., company Guard Tronic Inc. “We don’t want to
create negative connotations. We want everything to be
positive.”
Rex Adams, owner of Richardson, Texas’ American Security
Devices, will serve as NESA’s first president.
In a press release outlining its formation, NESA says it
was formed with two purposes in mind: “To monitor and
influence federal legislation and regulation and to
facilitate the exchange of information between state
associations.”
NESA plans to hold meetings at trade shows, starting with
ISC West this April, designed for state associations to
share information with each other.
“NESA is geared at everything being handled at a state
level,” Brown says. “The term that was given to me that
sold me is that this is the Libertarian party of alarm
associations.”
State associations that are in NESA will pay $50 per
regular and associate member to fund the new association
and make up its membership. NESA says it will only accept
state associations and those who make up them as members
and will not be offering membership to individuals or
companies.
For more information on NESA, access its Web site at HREF=’http://www.nesaus.org’
TARGET=’_blank’>www.nesaus.org.
