NBFAA Lobbies Congress on Security Issues

The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) held its third annual Day on Capitol Hill, a two-day event aimed at educating Congress on security issues.

NBFAA members went to Capitol Hill to discuss a number of bills, including their support of H.R. 1939, the Electronic Life Safety and Security & Systems Federal Background Check Act, and their opposition to H.R. 1409, the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009.

"There is no substitute for direct, face-to-face meetings between elected officials in Congress and their key staffs and their constituents, such as NBFAA's owners and state chapters," says John Chwat, NBFAA Government Relations director.

"Day on Capitol Hill in Washington provided NBFAA attendees the opportunity to discuss their legislative agendas directly with their Senators and Congressmen. We were very pleased at the number of contacts made and the positive way we were received as an industry."

During the event, Rep. Michael Arcuri, (D-NY), was presented with the NBFAA 2009 Legislator of the Year award. Arcuri sponsored H.R. 1680, the Long-Term Care Life Safety Act of 2009, which, according to the NBFAA, "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."

"The 2009 Day on Capitol Hill was another successful effort on the part of our members to connect with their legislators and to represent our industry," says NBFAA president Mike Miller.

"Our members know what is needed to protect our nation's citizens and to enhance public safety in the United States. It's important to the security industry that we present our concerns and issues directly to our legislators."

Sponsors of the event include GE Security, Honeywell, Altronix and Security America Risk Retention Group.