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Vol. 14, No. 17 - September 29, 2008
440 Maple Avenue East, Suite 201, Vienna, VA
703-242-4670; Fax 703-242-4675

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Table of Contents

Five Diamond Certificate System Now in Operation

The Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) is pleased to announce that it has launched its long-awaited CSAA Five Diamond Alarm System Certificate Program.

This service will allow Five Diamond Central Stations to issue a Five Diamond System Certificate through a highly secure database developed by CSAA. This Certificate may be issued to any premises meeting the qualifications.

The CSAA Five Diamond Alarm System Certificate Program recognizes quality service and recognizes best practices utilizing existing standards. The program provides a medium for CSAA member companies to market services of systems that fully comply with the program to the general public, AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdictions), and insurance providers.

The CSAA Five Diamond Central Station Certification requirements include a commitment to mandatory random inspections of the monitoring facilities; ongoing operator training; false alarm reduction practices;, acknowledgement of test signals at least monthly; adherence to an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or recognized CSAA Five Diamond installation standard; and utilizing equipment in the premises alarm system which is listed or approved for the intended purpose by a nationally recognized and CSAA Five Diamond Committee-approved testing laboratory; such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) and/or FM Global (FM).

The pricing of each issued CSAA Five Diamond Alarm System Certificate is $5.00 per certificate. Certificates can be ordered in quantity blocks of 25, 50, 100, 250 or more. Each certificate issue lifespan is three years and can be renewed before expiration. The program can automatically provide a reminder to the compliance officer before expiration.

An authorized CSAA member issuing company can easily issue CSAA Five Diamond Alarm System certificates, as well as forward copies to customers, AHJs, or insurance companies. It can also be retained in your in-house database. Email and faxing functionality will allow a blanket cover letter to be sent out prior to the CSAA Alarm System Certificate, personalized with the CSAA member company information. An authorized CSAA issuing member company initiates a certificate by going on a password-protected web-based portal and quickly filling out predetermined data fields. The process is quick, inexpensive, easy, and professional in appearance.

CSAA is embarking on a marketing campaign to the AHJs and the insurance industry, and others, to make them aware of the program and the assurances it gives them of the alarm system reliability.

Fanzo Hired as New CSAA Administrative Assistant

Grace FanzoCSAA is pleased to announce the hiring of Grace Ann Fanzo as CSAA Administrative Assistant. Grace will assist in all the departments, as well as handle inquiries about CSAA’s online training and Five Diamond programs. She is also in charge of the database and of the dissemination of the Central Station Operator and the Five Diamond certificates.

"Grace has been a real Godsend in responding to Five Diamond and members inquiries and helping everyone in the office. We are delighted to have her on board," said Steve Doyle, Executive Vice President of CSAA.

A native from Pittsburgh, Pa., Grace worked for close to four years at Pharmacare Management Services as a client service supervisor. She has an Associate Degree in Business Management from Point Park College.

Grace can be reached at 703-242-4670, Ext. 10 or gfanzo@csaaintl.org.

Besore Earns Association Executive Credential

Celia Besore The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) recently announced that Celia Trigo Besore, CSAA Director of Marketing & Communications of the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. Approximately 3,400 of the more than 22,000 association executives have earned the CAE, less than five percent.

To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must satisfy professional experience requirement; have at least 75 hours of specialized education; pass a stringent examination covering 10 areas of association management, from administration and leadership to education and certification; and uphold a code of ethics.

"We congratulate Celia on this accomplishment. Coincidentally, my father was the first CAE 40 years ago, so it is exciting to see her follow in his steps and receive this well-deserved recognition. Well done, Celia!" said Steve Doyle, Executive Vice President of CSAA.

ASAE is an individual membership organization of more than 22,000 association executives and industry partners, representing nearly 11,000 organizations from 50 countries around the world.

Besore has a Masters in Business Administration from George Mason University and joined CSAA in 1999.

 2008 Annual Meeting Ground Transportation Confirmation

If you sent in a Hotel Transportation Form to the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman to arrange for airport transfers, you should have received an email confirmation from the hotel’s Destination Services Department by Friday, September 26th. 

If you have not received a confirmation please refax your form to the hotel at 345-815-6855.  You must have a confirmation from the hotel.  Please do not assume that your fax was received and in legible form.

 
AES Mesh Alarm