NBFAA Takes Industry Causes To Capitol Hill

  • May 12, 2009

More than 65 NBFAA members, including association board members and state leaders from across the United States, joined the government relations team during the recent two-day 2009 NBFAA Day on Capitol Hill.

Along with a full day of congressional visits, participants enjoyed a dinner cruise sponsored by GE Security, a breakfast briefing sponsored by Altronix, lunch sponsored by Security America Risk Retention Group, and a reception sponsored by Honeywell. GE Security also provided a hospitality and de-briefing room where participants could gather at the end of the day to talk about their experiences.

One of the highlights of the two-day event was the presentation of the NBFAA 2009 Legislator of the Year award to Rep. Michael Arcuri, (D-N.Y.). Arcuri is the sponsor of H.R. 1680, the Long-Term Care Life Safety Act of 2009, which authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to promote professional retrofit installation of fire alarm detection systems and other fire detection and prevention technologies in nursing homes, assisted-living residences and other appropriate facilities. This presentation took place at the NBFAA luncheon on April 29.

Participants asked congressional leaders to support the Long-Term Care Life Safety Act of 2009. Other important issues discussed with legislators during the two-day event were:

Support of H.R. 1939, the Electronic Life Safety and Security & Systems Federal Background Check Act co-sponsored by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) which directs the Attorney General to permit the electronic life safety, security and systems profession to access the FBI database and to provide employers with relevant criminal history record information; and

Opposition to H.R. 1409, the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009, sponsored by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) which would remove American workers’ right to a private election and replace it with the “card check” process making workers’ votes public to the employer, union organizers and co-workers. The passage of this bill would give organized labor an unfair advantage in union organizing at the expense of both employees and employers. Under this “card check” process, workers’ votes are made public to the employer, union organizers and co-workers.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities