the handshake may 2011
DESCRIPTION
The Handshake Online notice currently is emailed to more than 900 members of the Alarm Association of Florida at this timeTRANSCRIPT
The Official Publication of the Alarm Association of Florida
Volume 10 /May 2011 / Issue 4
From the Director’s Chair on page 8
Regional Reports on page 18
THE
President’s column on page 4
Florida Alarmpac information on page 15
AAF Master Class Schedule on page 20
Legislative Update 2011 an interview with Eric Prutsman
on Page 10
ContentsMay 2011/The Handshake Monthly
A Word from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From the Director’s Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legislative Update 2011 interview with Eric Prutsman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Florida AlarmPAC information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regional Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AAF Master Class Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AAF Class Registration Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 8 10 15 18 20 21
Visit the AAF at www.fla-alarms.org / or contact us at [email protected] / 800.899.2099 / your company could be listed here.
Monthly Disclaimer To All MembersThe AAF encourages Associate Membership to companies that provide goods or services to our regular membership.
The AAF does not endorse any Associate. No Associate is a “Preferred” member, “Selected” member, or in any way placed above any other Associate. Furthermore, The content of articles contained in the Handshake reflects solely the
personal opinions of the authors or contributors and does not necessarily represent the official position of the AAF. Additionally all materials used in advertise-
ments in the Handshake involving any rights, clearances and copyrights are the sole responsibility of the advertiser and not the Alarm Association of Florida, Inc.
Features Page
Special note: The Handshake Online notice currently is emailed to more than 900 members of the Alarm Association of Florida at this time. Our email list is constantly growing. If you are a member company and would like to receive more than one emailing of this newsletter, then please send an email to [email protected] so we can add the additional email address to our list. Also, if you would like to advertise in the Online Handshake Magazine, please go to page 14 and fill out the insertion order form and fax it into the AAF office. All ad insertion orders must be received to the AAF office by the first of the month to be in that month’s issue. The Handshake Online is growing in content each month and if you know of content that you would like to see in the magazine, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for viewing the Handshake Online and we hope you will enjoy the future issues to come.
2010 - 2011 AAF OfficialsGreg Gracer - PresidentMaximum Security, Inc. - [email protected] John Toscano - Vice President / President ElectAffordable Alarm - [email protected] Dale Burger - Vice President at LargeAccess Code Technology, Inc. - [email protected] Bob Worthy - SecretarySecur Technologies - [email protected] Ron Toole - TreasurerCrime Prevention Services of Florida - [email protected] Bob Ireland - Past PresidentAmsafe of Miami, Inc. - [email protected] E.J. Fleischmann - Director At LargeDynamark - [email protected] John A. Pastore, Jr.- Director At LargeCrime Prevention Security Sys, LLC - [email protected] Hernando Barreto - Director At LargeAmtel Security Systems, Inc. - [email protected] Alan Higgins - Associate RepresentativeADI - [email protected] Steven Creasey - Associate RepresentativeGraybar - [email protected] Don Damron - Public Safety, FireSarasota County Fire Department - [email protected] Glen Mowery - Public Safety, LEO Eric Prutsman, Esq. - Lobbyist /General CounselPrutsman & Associates, P.A. - [email protected]
2010 - 2011 AAF Regional DirectorsAce Forsythe - Great Northwest Regional DirectorSentryNet, Inc. - [email protected]
Dale Burger - Broward Regional DirectorAccess Code Technology, Inc. - [email protected] Mike Donnelly - Miami-Dade Regional DirectorAlarm & Electronics - [email protected] Justin Schneider. - Gainesville - Ocala Regional DirectorASI Advanced Security Inc. - [email protected] Bill Zeller - Gold Coast Regional DirectorMellon Security & Sound - [email protected] Richard Moyers - Jacksonville Regional DirectorProtection Group USA - [email protected]
Doug Marrs - Orlando Regional Director, Comprehensive Energry Services - [email protected]
Dave Gerald - Tampa Regional DirectorVSC Fire & Security, Inc. - [email protected]
Bill Smith - Ft. Myers/Naples Regional SecretarySilmar Electronics - [email protected] Vacant - Tallahassee Regional Director
Vacant - Sarasota Regional Director
Vacant - Broward Regional Director
Alarm Association Office Bob Neely - Executive Director - [email protected] Linda Neely - Office Manager - [email protected] Kenna - Data Management - [email protected] Cavanaugh - Badges & Training - [email protected] Handshake Newsletter - [email protected]
The Handshake • May 2011 / 3
Dogfight 2011-12 Continued… Last month, we left off at, “Who are we in this dogfight?”Our industry, our whole world is changing. It is evolving at a pace that is threatening all that we are familiar with. Technology is tripping over its own shoelaces with new discoveries and new products. What we knew and trusted today is old by tomorrow!We must engage in learning and growing or be left behind.I am humbled and honored to be your new president. As such, I can promise nothing more to you, than what you as members are willing to bring to this association!As members, this is your work to do. This is your Association. You are the creators and you own this organization, and you own the responsibility to make it succeed and work for you.In 1970 when the Alarm Association of Florida was first established, it was mo-tivated by a compelling ambition from pioneers of this organization to make it succeed in serving the collective interests of a growing industry who specialized in communication products designed to report security signals to police and fire depart-ments. We have come a long way since the days of tape dialers and such, but the nature of our business is still the same. We are still the specialists in security signals communica-tion! It is long past due for the AAF to re-estab-lish our own communication skills and tools that have long served this association! Here is how The AAF plans to learn and grow in 2011:As your newly installed president, I am
proud to announce the reestablishment of the regular monthly publication of the On-line Handshake Magazine as your primary tool of communication with the AAF. Ron Toole, our current AAF Board Treasurer and Past President is managing this effort as of now. It is still in the works, but you should be receiving it regularly in the next month.If not, please contact Ron directly at [email protected] turn, you who are regional directors of this association, please keep your promise to provide regular reports/minutes from your monthly/quarterly meetings to the AAF office. This is actually a promise made by each Regional Director as he takes the oath to serve. Send us your minutes! These minutes will get published into the monthly edition of the Handshake, provided that they are submitted by the regional secre-tary within 15 days after your meeting…Head count, business discussed.Remember that everything that happens in your region counts! This is your contribu-tion to the rest of the membership!You are the Alarm Association of Florida!As President, I promise to have a new improved website for this association completed at some point before 2011-12. Eventually, we will have a forum estab-lished on this website, so that you as members will be able to log on and praise, complain, question, or belly ache about the work being done by your Board of Direc-tors, Executive Director and office staff, as well as discuss new ideas, technology, trade practices, and code changes. Basically any-thing related to our business.
A Word from Your PresidentBy Greg Gracer
The Handshake • May 2011 / 4
Past President Mary Galloway is leading the work in progress now, to rebuild the AAF website. To be sure, the current website is behind the times as regards communica-tion tools. Our current site is presently a vintage technical tapestry of various, time marked efforts to post information, but we will now introduce a more powerful tool that will allow all of us to log in and engage in a forum that allows us to speak to each other, as members of the AAF in the 21st century!Keep in mind that just having the platform to communicate is not the final solution…we will call on you as members, to communicate your thoughts and ideas and concerns…fre-quently, and consistently! Log in! Engage!Start making contributions to the Hand-shake Magazine Online now! Send your let-ters, suggestions, stories and articles to the Handshake Editor, as often as you can think of them. [email protected], [email protected] This is your organization! Make it work for you! As President I commit this board to a prom-ise to have new improved training programs for this association completed before 2011-12. The cornerstone of our training project so far, has been travelling field visit training classes. These classes have worked well with AAF Past President Mike Fletcher at the helm! Several hundred students have been success-fully trained and FASA/BASA “badged” in 2010-11 with classroom style training. Our current training has been very effective for members and the Association as a whole, and now it needs to expand to internet based online training for FASA/BASA Florida Cer-tification this year! Your AAF board has been working to install training at all levels, wherever possible…FASA BASA, 12 Hour Qualifier courses, Fire
courses, and more for the last 20 years. AAF internet based training has been explored for at least the last 15 years!There always seems to be a hitch. This year, we had already submitted for approval, some of the frontier AAF online training programs ready to be launched, and the DBPR pulled back on it’s own online course approval re-quirements and basically stopped us from launching our planned online courses for 2011 FASA/BASA training! In fact several previously approved courses from other FASA BASA providers were also pulled from the DBPR’s list for re-evalua-tion!With Past President Bob Ireland chairing the Education Committee this year, AAF is continuing to submit courses however, for approval anyway and when the DBPR and Florida.gov gets its act together for online training requirements, we will approach them again, and continue to work to get you online FASA/ BASA training in 2011! We’re focused to make this happen now! Education and training are the keys to our success into the future!As President, I commit this board to a prom-ise to remain vigilant in protecting our inter-ests regarding all legislative decisions that may affect our industry! Every year we battle in a real dogfight in Tallahassee to address industry issues that threaten the integrity of the security indus-try and how we can best provide service to our clients. Be it journeyman issues requiring our in-dustry to meet electrical union demands for compliance to their agenda, or private interests from those who wish to abolish pre-viously established fire codes that protect Florida’s communities, or working to prevent poorly written ordinances that inappropri-ately punish alarm system users.
A Word from Your President (continued)
The Handshake • May 2011 / 5
Our focus in legislative issues remains rel-evant to our business interests and remains sharp with a skilled team made up of you, Legislative Chair and Past President Bob Worthy, fellow members, and our profes-sional lobbyist, Eric Prutsman for 2011. Last year our Legislative team reduced the sting of an ugly bill designed to punish any business that used automatically renewable contracts. This is the work done on your be-half as members, ongoing! I invite you all to engage! Get in the fight to protect your business! We have a power-ful and aggressive team this year, and this board of directors promises results for ac-tion!
These points are part of our vision and com-mitment as your new board for 2011-12. Let’s stay in this dogfight to succeed to-gether. And that is who we are in this dog-fight!
Very Best Regards, Greg Gracer, President, Alarm Association of Florida [email protected]
Any and all communication to the above address re-garding AAF business, will be copied to the AAF office as well as to the AAF Board of Directors.
A Word from Your President (continued)
Are you an Alarm or Low Voltage Distributor?
This space could contain your Advertisement and will be viewed by the 900 AAF members that are email notified about each monthly edition. If you are interested in advertising, please go to page 14 and fill out the Ad insertion order form and fax it back into the AAF office. All Ad insertion forms must be sent in by the first of the month for them to run in that month’s issue. Don’t miss out on having your company’s Ad seen by our mem-bers; send your insertion order in today.
The Handshake • May 2011 / 6
From The Director’s Chairby Bob Neely
As we head down the home stretch of the legislative session the first week of May, I am astounded at how little regard some legislators have for private industry. For each good legislator we have that under-stands the necessity for using the best re-sources of private industry, there seems to be companion legislator who either fails to understand it or chooses not to. The seri-ous work of the Electrical Contractors’ Li-censing Board, the Construction Industry Licensing Board, the State Fire Marshal, the Florida Fire Chiefs, the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association al-most came to naught when one state sena-tor convinced a state representative that it would be a good thing to start ripping out fire systems from residential condos. Without so much as a by your leave and with no inquiry into the consequences of such an action the representative filed the language into a condominium regulatory bill in the house. The Alarm Association of Florida promptly filed an amendment to the bill to stop this horrible concept and it went into debate on the House floor. The debate lasted for over forty minutes. This is important to understand because most debate is conducted minimally except over the most serious social issues and finan-cial matters. It was impassioned, sincere and most of all as potentially important for life safety as any code or standard ever passed. In the final analysis we won the day when the vote was held but is was a nail-biter all the way with the vote being 59-55. We won by four votes.
That gives you some idea of what we are in for next year. The condo folks will be back with a vengeance and don’t think for one minute they will lessen their efforts at removing as much fire regulation from their lives as possible. Once again I solicit your indulgence and ask that you contrib-ute to the Florida Alarm Pac. This activity costs money to help elect representatives and senators friendly to our industry. There are travel costs, and the cost of 24/7 representation in Tallahassee. Without it we would have lost virtually all of our fire business last year and at least one-third of it this year. On the plus side we have another success story that bears your attention that we are proud to report. As you know we have an excellent working relationship with the Security Industry Alarm Coalition. These folks set out several years ago to speak na-tionally with one voice in representing the alarm industry to public safety responders and to work with them on industry prob-lems. This group is comprised of represen-tatives from the nations’ oldest and largest alarm groups from CSAA, Canasa, SIA and ESA. They have hired several people to assist them with this mission and one of those is retired Chief Glen Mowrey from Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C. Almost five years ago SIAC approached us and asked if we would work with Chief Mowrey on this project. We were very enthused and began to interact at once with him on contacting the Florida Police
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” Will Rogers – American Author, Actor and Humorist 1879-1935
The Handshake • May 2011 / 8
From The Director’s Chair (continued)
Bob Neely, Executive DirectorAlarm Association of [email protected]
Chiefs Association, The Florida Sheriff’s Association and other industry groups to begin training sessions with their adminis-trative and management people. The idea was to present to them the benefits of using a model alarm ordinance and approach-ing alarm dispatch using certain pre-tested methods to reduce alarm dispatches, im-prove efficiency and reduce costs.
It began with their assistance in passing into state law enhanced call verification which on its own produced an immediate 40% reduction in the alarm dispatch cen-ters. In some areas by fine tuning with the model ordinance they reached an unbeliev-able 73% reduction in one year. This is a true success story but there is more. There are 408 cities and 67 counties in Florida and we are endeavoring to talk to each and every one of them through this program. I am attaching an Excel matrix which de-scribes the current state of affairs with each of the regions we have contacted so far. This is an ongoing and long term project that re-quires hard work and dedication from our dealers. We ask them locally to participate as interest in the program develops and goes forward. Remember this next time we reach out to you for your assistance. We need it. In any event we hold regional seminars for the FPCA and teach their chiefs and administrative personnel the value and the tactics of this program. It is a wonder-ful example of public and private industry cooperating with each other to solve prob-lems for the community, the dealers and the departments. This is only part of what we do through the AAF. We also are working toward establishing the same programs for
the fire side of the industry as well. Since obviously the responses are literally as dif-ferent as night and day to burglary and to fire, so also we need a different approach and program for fire alarm dispatching.So where we sometimes encounter problems in working with publicly elected representa-tives we are also able to work through with others in the public sector to solve those problems more readily. It does keep us busy and will for a long time to come.
The Handshake • May 2011 / 9
In the early morning hours of May 7, the Florida legislature ended its 2011 session, having passed hundreds of bills in the final week as well as performing their constitu-tional duty of passing a state budget. According to Alarm Association of Florida (AAF) lobbyist Eric Prutsman, achieving that primary duty in the face of a $3.5 billion short-fall in federal dollars represented a heroic effort.“Legislators met the challenge of dealing with real, severe cuts that were historical in nature without raising any taxes or fees,” Prutsman said. “Last year, we faced a short-fall that was offset by federal stimulus dollars. This year, with no offsetting funds, lawmakers made 8 percent cuts across the board in public schools and double-digit reductions in health care services ranging from hospital funding to Medicaid services. More than 5,000 state jobs were cut, and those remaining state workers were required to contribute 3 percent of their salary to the state pension fund. State employees’ health insurance premiums were also increased. Other spending cuts included privatizing state prisons south of Orlando. In education, teachers also lost tenure and pay was made merit-based. Competition was encouraged in legislation, including expansions in charter schools, vouchers and web-based instruction. At the end of the day, the biggest challenge lawmakers had to face all session was being able to build this budget.”Throughout the month of May, presiding officers of both Florida House and Senate have been working to send passed or enrolled bills, to Governor Scott for his action. The governor has two weeks to take action on those bills once they arrive in his office, in-cluding signing or vetoing each bill, or taking no action, which would allow each bill to become law without his signature.Prutsman said that the governor has until 1 June to sign the state budget, and predicts that Gov. Scott will exercise his ability to veto line items on some $400 million worth of appropriation items.“Medicaid managed care reform is one of the primary expenses impacting the state budget. The rate of growth for health care expenses is so extraordinary, that without some attempt to control costs it will represent more than half of our budget in a few years,” Prutsman said. “Work done during this session will serve to cap those expendi-tures and slow down that growth.”The AAF lobbyist predicts that the budget will be a workable plan for the coming year, and all projections for revenue estimates seem to be in line with the expected growth in Florida’s economy.“We should continue to experience slow and steady growth, and with the additional revenues available it is unlikely that any additional cuts will be necessary next year,” Prutsman said. “Our economic outlook is very positive.”In the upcoming session, which will begin with committees meeting just 90 days fol-lowing the end of the previous session, lawmakers will face the tough task of redrawing their districts.“All 160 legislators will be up for re-election next year, from all of their redrawn dis-tricts,” Prutsman said. “They are starting early because they must be ready to go for the 2012 session starting in January.”
Legislative Update 2011 Session Overviewinterview with Eric Prutsman
The Handshake • May 2011 / 10
Legislative Victory One of the most significant issues dealt with in the 2011 session by the AAF lob-byist represented a major victory for the alarm industry on an ongoing issue: con-dominium life and fire safety legislation that would have impacting existing pull stations in low rise (four stories or fewer) condos.
Prutsman noted that pull station legislation had been enacted in 2010, and allows for the absence of pull stations in new construction or installation but does not per-mit the removal of existing pull stations.
“We were successful in keeping life safety provisions in the law in 2010,” Prutsman said. “We were able to limit the allowance to the design of new systems, because fire marshals will tell you, that it is possible to design sufficient life safety systems without pull stations. But, there have to be other alternatives put in place. Pull stations are generally considered most appropriate life safety equipment.” But Prutsman knew the battle wasn’t over. Condo associations were determined to try again. The lobbyist and AAF executives were keeping an eye on related legisla-tion in 2011 as it progressed through committees, like Senate Bill 530 and House Bill 1195. The House version of the bill, sponsored by Rep. George Moraitis (R-Fort Lauderdale) and Rep. James Grant (R-Tampa), was referred to by proponents as the Community Association “Glitch Bill.” The Senate version was sponsored by Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey). In addition to revising record keeping reg-ulations, requiring majority votes for lease and membership changes, and granting association boards the authority to install impact glass, the bill also allowed condo associations to be exempt from being required to install a manual fire alarm sys-tem (pull stations). “Condo associations have interpreted previous law to mean that they can remove their entire fire systems. It has gone beyond not installing on new construction, too, where associations think they can remove old ones to save money on monitor-ing fees,” Prutsman said. “Fire marshals are saying that they cannot do that.”
The Boca Raton fire chief asked for a declaratory statement from the state fire marshal, he explained, and the state level backed what local fire marshals had ruled: condos must keep their fire systems.
Condo associations lobbied to have the declaratory statement overturned.In the seventh week of the nine-week legislative session, in the final committee meeting for the bill, Rep. Moraitis inserted language to give condo associations what they wanted: a provision to allow condominiums, apartments and coopera-tives to remove existing fire alarm pull stations from low-rise buildings. That amendment passed over the objection of representatives of the fire service com-munity, who argued that the new language would not serve the best interest of the fire and life safety of residents. The bill progressed to the House floor with the new amendment in place.
Legislative Update (continued) 2011 Legislative Victoryinterview with Eric Prutsman (cont.)
The Handshake • May 2011 / 11
The State Fire Marshall’s office, along with Florida Fire Chiefs Association and the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, worked closely with the Alarm Association of Florida to inform the House membership about the new lan-guage of the bill before them. On the House floor, Rep. Ed Hooper, a former fire chief and a long-time fire service worker, made it clear that he was opposed to al-lowing the removal of these systems. He and a number of other legislators made a stand on the floor to fight the bill’s new language.
“The amendment to HB 1195 by Rep. Hooper was one of the most heavily debated issues of the session, with one side arguing that allowing condo associations to make the decision of whether or not to keep a pull station would allow them the freedom to manage their own costs in a challenging economy, and the other argu-ing that protecting the safety of resident’s lives is an issue beyond cost. The final vote was one of the closest, with our side winning 59-55,” Prutsman said. “The vote was non-partisan, and we believe represents an agreement that pull stations are vital in notifying residents and guests of an imminent danger to their lives.”
The Senate sponsor, Sen. Fasano, did not choose to change the language of his bill, which has been submitted to the governor for his review and signature.Prutsman attributes the victory to two important factors.
“This really shows how important it is for individual members to connect directly and face to face with local legislators,” Prutsman said. “Plus, we now know which legislators vote for fire and life safety, and who voted against these vital issues for the upcoming comprehensive election.”
Also, this incident served as an example of the cooperative effort possible between fire and life safety personnel and the AAF membership. “We owe a debt of grati-tude to the fire service for success on this issue.,” Prutsman said. “Our partners in the fire service community were able to be on point for this issue, to testify in com-mittees, in uniform, and speak out publicly against it. And, when it came time to lobby the House members on the House Floor, both FFCA and FFMIA stepped-up their efforts and activated the Fire Caucus, an ad hoc group of legislators commit-ted to maintain fire safety in Florida. The AAF was able to provide an active role in lobbying Rep. Hooper’s amendment as well by providing expertise on the subject matter and relying on some of the AAF’s key legislative contacts to make last-min-ute connections with legislators on the amendment. With a vote as close as it was, every vote counted.
Legislative Update (continued) 2011 Legislative Victoryinterview with Eric Prutsman (cont.)
The Handshake • May 2011 / 12
Priority Legislation
The condo legislation was not the only issue that could impact AAF members as well as the state industry at large.Other bills listed include:
Tax Cuts for Small Businesses (HB 7185): Increases the exemption to the corporate income tax by increasing the exemption from $5,000 to $25,000. “Many small businesses will not have to pay any corporate income taxes,” Prutsman said. “Further rollbacks are expected in future years. The cuts came after the Legislature was unable to grant Gov. Scott’s call for a 1 percent cut, which would have cost $330 million of revenue to state coffers. But, by changing the exemption level, they were able to assist more than half of all businesses who file corporate income tax. This shows that most businesses in the state of Florida are small businesses, and this could put an average of $2,000 back in their pocket this year. Next year, legislators plan to roll back the corporate income tax rate.”
Building Code Bill (HB 849): Restricts considerably the adoption of local or regional amendments. “We reviewed this bill and, working with House and Senate sponsors, have cleared the language,” Prutsman said. “We believe this will eliminate some of the local padding to the building code process.” Rulemaking (HB 993): Reforms the rulemaking process in Florida and will require all state agencies to undergo a review of past and future rules to determine what, if any, economic impact they have. This bill also includes a provision changing the “burden of proof” for challenges to permits. Instead of the proof burden residing with the developer, the burden shifts to the person challenging the development. “This bill is a continuation of rulemaking reform, to ensure that state agencies do not go beyond their statutory powers and exceed their legal authority to adopt rules,” Prutsman said. “We have seen this type of initiative from Gov. Scott, as well as the House and Senate leadership, to attempt to deregulate businesses and repeal unnecessary laws.
Electrical Journeymen (HB 607): Decreased the square footage of electrical journeymen required on commercial construction from 50,000 to 5,000. “We worked with House and Senate sponsors to ensure that the bill language did not apply to low-voltage contractors. If the legislation had passed in its current form, our members would have been exempt.
Legislative Update (continued) 2011 Priority Legislationinterview with Eric Prutsman (cont.)
The Handshake • May 2011 / 13
Deregulation of the Department of Professions and Business Regulation (DBPR) (HB 5005 and HB 5007): Sponsored by Rep. Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange), these bills would have deregulated some 19 professional occupations currently requiring licensing via the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and cut six professional regulating boards. Called the Florida Caveat Emptor Law by critics, this law would deregulate yacht and ship brokers, auctioneers, talent agencies, athlete agents, interior designers, professional fundraising consultants and solicitors, health studios, ballroom dance studios, commercial telephone sellers, movers, car repair shops, travel agencies, as well as people who wrap braids and perform body wraps. Water vending machines and their operators would also be removed from regulation. Salespeople who work under contract to be paid by commission would also be deregulated. Regulations would also be changed for outdoor theaters and public lodging. The Boards of Architecture, Auctioneers and Motor Vehicle Repair Advisory Council would also face board changes or outright elimination. These bills followed the trend to consolidate and streamline state regulation of professions, Prutsman said. “As these bills progressed, we monitored them to make sure anything impacting the alarm industry did not slip in.”
“There has been continuing discussion about combining the Electrical Contracting Li-censing Board (ECLB) and the Contracting Industry Licensing Board (CILB) into a sin-gle ombudsman board,” Prutsman said. “Our concern would be that our representation would be diluted in a larger board. We don’t want to be in that position. Also, we are concerned that the workload of regulating a more comprehensive group of trades would be an undue burden on the volunteer members of an ombudsman board.”The move to consolidating the boards did not take place, but AAF leaders plan to moni-tor committee action closely should the issue resurface.“We remain vigilant, because language could always be added in committees or on the House or Senate floor which could substantially impact our industry, at any time,” Prutsman said
Legislative Update (continued) 2011 Priority Legislationinterview with Eric Prutsman (cont.)
The Handshake • May 2011 / 14
To: All Members – Alarm Association of Florida, Inc.
From: Greg Gracer – President
Date: April 4, 2011
RE: Florida AlarmPAC Contributions
Dear Members,
This year once again we face the following legislative issues affecting you as electrical and alarm contractors: Commercial Fire Alarm Modification; Condominium Fire Alarm Exemptions; further service contract restrictions; journeyman technical changes; drastic reduction of ECLB. If alone you had to devote the time and money to legislation affecting your business, what would you have to invest? To make your issues known to legislators requires funding as we go forward each legislative year and 2011 is no exception.
The Alarm Association of Florida has continuously supported legislative action for our industry for over a decade. Once again this past year we fought for your rights as a contractor. Quite simply, this member service costs money. Our Board of Directors has established several ‘Florida AlarmPACS’ for this purpose. Our AlarmPACS need your help each year raising funds for lobbying efforts and campaign contributions. These are a matter of public record and available on line through the state of Florida election web site.
The Alarm Association of Florida represents hundreds of security contractors and thousands of their employees to legislators in Tallahassee and they ONLY hear us through effective lobbying. Our lobbyist, Eric Prutsman of Prutsman Associates, has served us admirably in this regard for many years protecting and promoting our industry.
We ask that you join our ‘Capitol Commission’ and contribute. Please fill out the attached contribution form and return fax it to us at the office 954-748-4749 or the address below. Do NOT depend on others to contribute. We need your help and contributions NOW for our lobbying efforts and elections.
A sum of $100.00 to $249.00 makes you a ‘Contributing Member’. Those endowing our legislative effort with $250.00 to $499.00 will be designated a ‘Participating Member’ of this prestigious campaign. ‘Sustaining Members’ must contribute $500.00 to $999.00 for this elite status. For a contribution of $1000.00 or more you are certified as a ‘Founding Member’ of the Commission. Members contributing $99.00 dollars or less will be enrolled as ‘General Members’ of the Commission. All contributions, regardless of size are welcome. Join us and send this critical contribution today! Thank you for your efforts.
Greg Gracer – President, Alarm Association of Florida, Inc.
Bob Worthy – Legislative Chairman
The Handshake • May 2011 / 15
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TThhee AAllaarrmm AAssssoocciiaattiioonn ooff FFlloorriiddaa 1802 N. University Dr #329 Plantation, FL 33322-4115
800-899-2099 954-748-7779 Fax 954-748-4749 [email protected]
The Insertion Order and camera-ready artwork must be received by the 1st of the month prior to publication to ensure that an ad will run in the subsequent Handshake. Advertising containing prices for products or services will not be accepted. All space is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Placement requests will be taken into consideration but not guaranteed. Ad rates are only good for the 2011 calendar year, and a maximum of 12-month insertion order will be taken at a time.
The Handshake is the official publication of the Alarm Association of Florida with a monthly circulation of over 1,000 copies nationwide, with distribution based from Florida. The AAF reserves the right to edit and/or refuse any advertisement at its discretion and assumes no responsibility for incorrect information contained in any advertisement.
Please Note: Ads should be sent via email or on CDs or Disks and must be “Press Ready,” in the form of a jpeg, TIFF or EPS file at 300 DPI or greater resolution. If you send a PDF, the file will be converted. It is very important that the ad be created at the dimensions for the ad size which you wish to run. For example: a 1/8-page advertisement needs to be sent to us at 3.5 x 2 inches, no more, no less. Color ads must be at 300 DPI resolution (minimum). For more specific information, please call the AAF Office and we can refer you to our printing company.
I would like to advertise in the following months: (Advertise for the whole year get 10% discount)
Jan 2012 ____ February 2012 ____ March 2011 ____ April 2011 ____ May 2011 ____ June 2011 ____
July 2011 ____ August 2011 _____ Sept 2011 _____ Oct 2011 _____ Nov 2011 ______ Dec 2011 ____ Billing Information: Date of Order: ______________ Ad Size: ______________ Amount of Ad: ________________________________ Company Name: ______________________________________________________ AAF Member? ____Yes ____No Billing Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________ State: __________ Zip: __________________________
Telephone # (_______) ____________________ Fax # (_______) ____________________
E-Mail: _______________________________________________________________________
State License Number (required of all installation/service/monitoring companies): __________________________ *Number must be visible on ad if you fall under the above listed categories. Advertising Authorized by (please print name): _________________________________________________________ Billing Contact (if different from above): ________________________________ Telephone: (_____) _____________
Advertising Rates for 2011 (Online PDF Magazine)
AAF Member Rate
AAF Member Rate (12 month insertion order)
Non-Member Rate
Non- Member Rate (12 month insertion order)
1/8 page (3-1/2 x 2) $ 65.00 $ 702.00 $ 115.00 $1242.00 1/4 page (3-1/2 x 5) $ 95.00 $1026.00 $ 165.00 $1782.00 1/2 page (3-1/2 x 10 or 7 x 5) $ 115.00 $1242.00 $ 215.00 $2322.00 Full page (7 x 10) $ 135.00 $1458.00 $ 235.00 $2820.00
THANK YOU FOR ADVERTISING IN THE HANDSHAKE, OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AAF
The Handshake • May 2011 / 16
Due to limited space in the Constant Contact emailing, ads placed here are limited to 10 full page ads and four business card ads total. (To advertise here, you must have purchased an ad in the Online PDF Magazine, and you may only run the same size ad (or smaller) that you have placed in the online magazine)
Advertising Rates for 2011 (Online Constant Contact)
AAF Member Rate
AAF Member Rate (12 month insertion order)
Non-Member Rate
Non- Member Rate (12 month insertion order)
1/8 page (3-1/2 x 2) (Business Card)
$ 15.00 $ 162.00 $ 45.00 $ 540.00
Full page (7 x 10) $ 30.00 $ 360.00 $ 65.00 $ 780.00
THANK YOU FOR ADVERTISING IN THE HANDSHAKE, OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AAF
COMING IN JULY IS THE BUSINESS & INDUSTRY SECTION PRICING.
The Handshake • May 2011 / 17
Regional Reports Ocala / Gainsville Region (03/29/2011)
Location: Holiday Inn Conference Center, Ocala
The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. by Regional Director Justin Schneider and thanks were given to our sponsors, ADI and Honeywell Security. In attendance were: Justin Schneider, Bob Neely, Greg Lyons, Ken Shields, and Bryan Abrams.
There was a lengthy discussion about unli-censed activity in the low voltage trade.Bryan Abrams from Honeywell Security gave us a preview of their new panel, the Lynx Touch, due out next month.Greg Lyons offered to do a Carbon Monoxide demonstration at subsequent meeting.There was discussion on how to reenergize our region. The last meeting in the region was on September 12, 2001. Ideas were brainstormed on how to get members involved and attending the meetings. The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.Justin Schneider
Tampa Region (04/20/2011)
The meeting was called to order at 6;00pm, with 8 in attendance. We opened, observing a moment of silence for the passing of Jon Mar-tinez & Jason Steele, employees of United Fire Protection, who were killed on a job site April 7th: and, for Carl Davino who passed in mid-March.
We reviewed the upcoming BASA FASA Train-ing schedule and highlights of the Annual Convention, including legislative topics and significant By-f aw changes,
No one has yet seen any of the parade of Sum-mer Model reps; however, Ray Yauchler told me earlier in the week he had heard they were in town.
Our Associate Partners updated us new prod-ucts, training, and offers from their companies.
Our guest speaker was Gil Illescas of AMG-Florida, manufacturer rep for Space Tech-nologies and Paxton Access Control. Gil enlightened us on new trends in fP Camera technologies & some of his new Specocameras, specifically the Intensifier 3 Series.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday May 18, with Guest Speaker Ernie Hand, Fire Marshall of St Petersburg Beach at 6:40.
Great Northwest Region (04/12/2011) Meeting was called to order at 6:40.
Members present were:
Acy Forsythe SentrynetBob Suhrheinrich Panhandle Alarm and TelephoneAnthony Bailey American AlarmJohn Young American AlarmBilly Gandy Degraaf SystemsGene Miller Cen SignalJeremy Kennedy Electronic Supply Wanda Maltais Electronic Supply Mark Biggs Electronic Supply
The Handshake • May 2011 / 18
Regional Reports (continued)David Phillips DevconEd McDaniel Wiregrass SystemsOlivia McDaniel Wiregrass SystemsMike Fletcher AAFDoug Herring UTC
Meeting opened with a presentation from Doug Herring with UTC. He gave an update on the transition from G.E. to UTC, and how it would benefit dealers as UTC better understands the industry, and he gave information that re-flected the commitment the company has to the industry. He told us that they were focusing on the end user with interactive systems, and moving forward with IP communications.
Mike Fletcher gave a report on the State Con-vention including the new slate of officers and by-law changes including changes in the pro-gression of state officers through the positions to which they are elected. He also stated that this was the last year of the AAF’s contract with EHX and the future of our conventions is unclear at this time, but the board would be working on a solution to the meeting next year. Training was available again this year and was a draw for the members.
Mike also reported that the CE’s for license holders would probably be scheduled for next year as that is our renewal year. There was discussion on GSM and the potential for sunset of the technology. It will be critical to stay on top of the changes that are heading our way. Cable communications has been approved for fire communications so long as the provider can give a letter of attest stating it meets all of the requirements of NFPA.
Acy Forsythe provided members with a list of officers, and clarified a question from last meeting about our financial information and member’s access to the information. The bud-get is posted online, and reports are online. If a member needs current financial information,
there are provisions that address that, and members would need to contact the office for an appointment.
Ed McDaniel gave a report on the Alabama Alarm Association and their training require-ments. The new board is trying to change some of the requirements. Ed will keep us informed of any changes.
Doug told us about this link to the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s office web site. Check out the Alarm Sales Scam section. http://www.santarosash-eriff.org/
Bob Suhrheinrich
Secretary
The Handshake • May 2011 / 19
ALARM ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA MASTER CLASS SCHEDULE
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Reminder: Florida Statues 489 Part II requires ALL technicians and salespersons to be trained.
BASA & FASA must be renewed every 2 years with 6 hour BASA and 6 hour FASA continuing education. Don’t let your BASA and FASA cards expire.
For 14 HOUR Combo FASA/BASA & 6 HR BASA and FASA renewal classes
contact the AAF 800-899-2099
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1102/11/7 noM MP 00:4 / MA 00:9 imaiM obmoC ASAF/ASAB EC rh61102/31/7 - 1102/21/7 deW / euT MP 00:5 / MA 00:8 imaiM obmoC ASAF/ASAB be rh41
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The Handshake • May 2011 / 20
CERTIFICATION COURSE REGISTRATION FORMAuthorized DBPR Provider # 0001140
FILL IN ALL * BELOW THAT APPLY*Certification Course Check One:INITIAL CERTIFICATION:BASA 14-HOUR FASA 14-HOUR BASA/FASA 14-HOUR COMBO BASAeb0008297 FASAeb0008294 BASAeb0008297/FASAeb0008294RENEWAL CERTIFICATION:BASA 6-HOUR FASA 6-HOUR BASA/FASA 6-HOUR COMBO BASAce0008296 FASAce0008293 BASAce0008296/ FASAce0008293Materials to Bring: Passport size PHOTO for the badge (with name on the back) & pen or pencilFees: AAF Member 14HR Certification - BASA or FASA only - $215.00 B/F COMBO $299.00 Non-Member 14HR Certification - BASA or FASA only - $430.00 B/F COMBO $598.00AAF Member 6HR Renewal Certification - BASA or FASA only - $105.00 B/F COMBO $165.00Non-Member 6HR Renewal Certification - BASA or FASA only - $210.00 B/F COMBO $330.00Make checks payable to AAF. For credit card processing call (800) 899-2099 or visit the online store @ www.fla-alarms.org All classes MUST BE PRE- REGISTERED AND PRE-PAID. The AAF office must receive class registrations no later than five (5) business days before class commencement. The AAF office must receive all payments no later than the class commencement unless otherwise arranged, or they will be considered delinquent. All delinquent payments will be charged a late fee of 10% of the total. If the AAF incurs increased costs as a result of late registration, late payment, or cancellation, the AAF will directly bill the responsible party. Any cancellation must be in writing via fax or e-mail from an authorized company representative and the AAF must receive it no less than seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the class commencement. A fifty-dollar ($50) administrative fee will be charged for each cancelled student. Failure to cancel in this manner will result in no refund.*Date of 14hr Class: ________ Time 8:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM Location of Class: City____________*Date of 6hr Class: _________ Time 9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM Location of Class: City____________
*Employee Name (print): _____________________________________________________First Middle Initial Last
*E-Mail____________________________________________________________________*Soc. Sec. #: XXX-XX-_________
*Employee signature box – PLEASE SIGN WITHIN THE BOX
*Company Name: ____________________________________________________________
*Company Address: __________________________________________________________
*City: ____________________________________________ *State: ____ *Zip: ____________
*Company Phone: ___________________________ *Company Fax: ____________________
*Company Qualifier: ___________________________*FL State License # E______________
*Qualifier signature box – PLEASE SIGN WITHIN THE BOXIt is the employer's responsibility to submit a completed fingerprint card to FDLE for a background check.
The AAF will send a blank fingerprint card with Badge & Certificate. (Rev: 12/2/2010)
Phone (954) 748.7779(800) 899.2099
FAX (954) 748.4749
®
AAF MAILING ADDRESS:1802 N. UNIVERSITY DR. #329PLANTATION, FL 33322-4115
Photo for BadgeNo hat or sunglasses
Black/White or ColorPassport Size
or Digital in jpeg format only
No Paper Type Photos