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Vol. 14, No. 2 - February 1, 2008
440 Maple Avenue East, Suite 201, Vienna, VA
703-242-4670; Fax 703-242-4675

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Table of Contents

2008 CSAA Excellence Awards are Coming!

CSAA Excellence Awards logoThe Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) and SDM Magazine is delighted to announce that the information to participate in the 2008 CSAA Excellence Awards is now available on CSAA's website at www.csaaul.org/CSAACSAwards.htm. These awards are sponsored by SDM Magazine.

The CSAA Central Station Excellence Awards recognize any UL-listed Central Station, CSAA members and non-members, and outstanding personnel who perform in the highest professional manner, thereby having made a significant contribution to the betterment of the alarm industry and the alarm profession, while demonstrating exceptional service to their customers and community.

The three categories include:

Please visit www.csaaul.org/CSAACSAwards.htm#who for a list of past winners.

The deadline for submitting your Awards entries is Monday, April 7, 2008. All materials submitted will be held in the strictest confidence.

CSAA Announces Plan to Commemorate
the 150th Anniversary of the Alarm Industry

CSAA Will Release Monthly Profiles During This Anniversary Year
 To Highlight Industry Achievements

logo of the 150th anniversary of the alarm industry Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) president Bud Wulforst announced today the association's plans to commemorate this year, the 150th Anniversary of the birth of the alarm industry.

In May of 1858 in Boston, Edwin Holmes founded the Holmes Burglar Alarm Company.  Holmes was the first person to offer alarms using electro-mechanical technology to detect an intrusion to a premise. In addition, Holmes started the first company that installed burglar alarm systems. During the 150 years since, the electronic security industry has developed a rich tradition of technological and business innovations that other industries have followed.

The success of Holmes’ new service would lead him to open offices in many cities of the United States.  Holmes pioneered methods and business practices that remain in use to this day.  The alarm industry quickly spread with subsequent alarm companies following the Holmes example by developing advanced detection and central station systems which emulated his technology and his recurring revenue service model.

Edwin Holmes’ influence extended beyond the alarm industry. Most notably, Holmes lent his early expertise to the fledgling telephone industry, and played an instrumental role in the development of the first telephone company. It was in the Holmes’ company Boston office that telephones were first interconnected allowing subscribers to call selected locations.  In addition, Holmes served as the very first President of the New York Telephone Company.

During this upcoming year, the CSAA will relive in detail additional moments in the birth and development of the electronic security industry.  We invite the entire industry to join in this very special commemoration.  In preparation for the occasion, the CSAA has developed a 150th anniversary logo which is available at no cost for all to use. CSAA would like to thank Stan Oppenheim and DGA Security Systems, Inc. for their design of the logo and assistance with this project.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA), which will be celebrated during the 2008 Electronic Security Expo in Nashville, Tenn. at an evening reception on Thursday, June 26, 5:30-7:45pm.

Please contact Celia Besore at 703-242-4670, Ext. 16 or communications@csaaul.org for more information on the 150th anniversary commemoration or to obtain the logo. The logo can be provided in a variety of electronic formats.

Participate in the Tri-Association Triton Award

CSAA, SIA, NBFAA and are now accepting nominations for the 2008 Tri-Association Triton Award. The winner will be announced at ISC West, with the awards ceremony taking place at Carnival, the Tri-Association Awards Dinner on October 29 in New York City. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 7, 2008.

Established in 2004, the Triton Award recognizes an individual's commitment to advancing the industry through the work of the three associations. Past winners include Stan Martin, Charlie Darsch, Marc Mineau, and Ralph Sevinor.

For details, please contact Leigh A. McGuire, SIA’s manager of Marketing and Meetings at lmcguire@siaonline.org or 703-647-8493 or visit the Awards web section.

Welcome our Newest Members

Please welcome the following companies that joined CSAA in January:

North American (Regular) Members:

  • ADT Security Services, Inc.
  • Affiliated Central Inc.
  • Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

Proprietary Council

  • Key Bank
  • Microsoft Global Security

Associate Members:

  • SAFE Security, LP

For contact information on these companies, please visit http://www.csaaul.org.

REMINDER: CSAA Standards Enter ANSI Review Period
Deadline for Comments: February 11, 2008

Don't forget to submit any proposed changes to the two of the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA)'s standards that have entered the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) public review and comment period stage. The two standards are:

This is YOUR chance to be part of the process that makes standards that affect your jobs every day. Get involved!

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