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municipal monitoring - Illinois fire district shut down
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    It comes as no surprise that the litigation against Illinois's' Lisle-Woodridge community from setting up its own municipal controlled fire alarm monitoring center.  Fire alarms will be permitted to be monitored by UL central stations and the municipality will cease its monitoring operations.  Good job by the Illinois alarm assoc [IESA] and its Executive Director Kevin Lehan and to the alarm companies who funded the fight.
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    What really is not much news is that a local community on Long Island [Williston Park] has just enacted false alarm fines to end users.  First two are free, next two $150, then $350.  The fire chief noted that there were too many runs to false alarms, that residences were not servicing their alarms and that there was no mechanism for forcing people to fix their alarms, all presenting a safety risk to fire fighters.  The chief also noted that an alarm from a steamy shower or smokey kitchen would not be a false alarm. End users can show they had the alarm serviced to get out of or reduce a fine.   A similar law was recently enacted in another Long Island community, Long Beach.  
    I am sure that these types of law are common all over the place.  A cause for some friction between the dealer and the end user.  
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electrician response re training and education  [to August 16 2012 article]
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Electricians Response:
    I emphatically dispute the comments that today’s fire alarm Technician do not have training equal of the IBEW.  We are a non union contractor in CA. and our apprenticeship training program for General Electrician, Voice/Data/Video Technician and Fire Life Safety Technician are top notch.  I have seen an increase of quality technicians over the last 5 years,  been in business for 15,  this might be regionalized trend as I am not familiar with Florida labor requirements.  WECA has a very strong presence and lobbying effort in CA and are beneficial tool to Electrical and Low Voltage Contractors in CA.
    I also believe that RMR and Quality go hand in hand.  One’s company cannot just satisfy a customer with a quality installation, you need to make them a loyal customer, a satisfied customer can go elsewhere for the same services that you may provide but a loyal customer will always call on your company.
David Frechette
Sierra Building Systems,  Inc.
Meadow Vista, Ca
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recruiting help in the alarm industry
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    Recruiting competent help in the alarm industry has never been easy; the pay scale was lower than other jobs applicants could qualify for.  I don't know that things have really changed that much over the past few decades, except that alarm techs now need to be far better trained than years ago.  Today they are system integrators, and that means well versed in intrusion, fire, cameras, audio, other.  Knowledge of computers and programming ability is norm.  With tough competition among alarm dealers it's hard to pay the help.  Obviously its a catch 22.  Poor help is not going to assist with your business growth; great help may bankrupt you.  Find a balance.  
    What prompted this thought?  One of my clients asked me to read a proposal from an employment agency - they get 25% of the tech's first year salary once the tech stays for 90 days.  Sounds like a great deal, for the agency, if they can find a tech to move around every 90 days.  I offered to assist with finding a tech.  So here's the ad.  Anyone interested, please don't respond to me - the address to contact is below.  And don't forget, for existing and new employees - have them sign an Employment Contract.

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    Experienced Fire Alarm Technician Needed- also CCTV tech
New York City based security company with over 65 years experience in the business has immediate openings for technicians with experience in installing fire alarm panels and CCTV
Job Requirements
-Perform Installation of fire alarm, burglar alarm, access control, video surveillance (CCTV) and intercom systems
-Edwards and Notifier certified a plus
- IT savvy with Knowledge of IP technology a must
-Understanding of building construction and the ability to read blue prints and riser drawings
-Operate power tools and lift and carry equipment
-Strong communications skills and ability to interface with both management and customers
-Punctuality and a neat personal appearance
-Valid drivers license with clean driving record
Experience:
-A degree from a technical/trade school a plus or related work experience
-Knowledge of electronics, wiring and circuits necessary
-IT and IP camera systems knowledge highly desirable
Salary (commensurate with experience)+ benefits (after 90 days)
    Please submit salary requirements when responding to this ad. 

Respond to:
unitednyjobs@aol.com