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ESA Seeks to Protect People, Property, and Places: Files petition for review with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
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Legislative Spotlight: Rep. Dave Prestin
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Member Benefits
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Upcoming Events
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BFAAM Participates in Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Training Event
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In October, BFAAM hosted its annual conference at the BFAAM headquarters in Lansing where we heard several presentations mostly focused on on-going regulatory issues and potential drastic changes on paid sick leave based on a Michigan Supreme Court decision from this summer. Staff from within Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) opened the conference with presentations on the major departments within LARA that regulate our membership.
AJ Libby, Electrical Code Inspection Supervisor and Sheila Hartfield, Building Code Inspection Supervisor spoke at length about the plan review process. The discussion showed many inconsistencies in what LARA is reporting and what our members are seeing in the field. BFAAM will continue to work with LARA to address these issues. You can view the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) website by clicking here.
Heather Miller, Licensing Manager from the Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing (CSCL) within the LARA provided an update to attendees on the licensing/registration process for security alarm contractors. To view her presentation and contact information or if you have any questions, please click here.
As many employers across the state know by now, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled this summer that two ballot proposals from 2018 will take effect Feb. 21, 2025 — one raising the minimum wage, including that of tipped employees, and the other enacting a one-size-fits-all paid leave benefits for full-time, part-time and seasonal employees.
What happened: By a vote of 4-3, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned a unanimous bipartisan ruling from the Court of Appeals in Mothering Justice v Attorney General. The case challenged the Michigan Legislature’s handling of two ballot proposals going back to 2018: one to increase the minimum wage and the other to enact a one-size-fits-all paid sick leave law. Because that process, now referred to as “adopt-and-amend,” has been found to be unconstitutional by the Michigan Supreme
Court, the two 2018 ballot initiatives, which were never voted on by the people, will become law.
This is expected to be one of the more controversial and time sensitive issues that the legislature will be addressing during its lame duck session in November and December of this year. Amy Drumm, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs for the Michigan Retailers Association was on-hand to update conference attendees on the changes being proposed to these initiatives by many business groups from various sectors across the state. To view the requested changes from the coalition, please click here.
BFAAM is constantly fighting for our industry, for our livelihoods, and for you! BFAAM cannot do this without your support. Your membership into the BFAAM PAC is more important now than ever. Become a PAC member today! Visit www.bfaam.org/pac to donate online! Large or small, we appreciate any effort you make to help our alarm industry.
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On October 22nd, 2024, the Electronic Security Association INC (ESA) filed a petition for review with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In response to the FTC’s rule regarding “Negative Option” ESA’s newly elected Chairman, Kevin Stone, made the following comment:
“The FTC’s click-to-cancel rule imposes unnecessary and unlawful burdens on America’s electronic security and life safety companies. Auto-renewing subscriptions give residential and commercial customers peace of mind in knowing that their security and life safety services will continue uninterrupted until customers choose to cancel the service. The click-to-cancel rule makes auto-renewing subscriptions more complicated and expensive, raises concerns of liability, and it will lead to more interrupted service and higher prices for customers. We are proud to go to bat on behalf of our members and the customers that rely on our integral services. We are confident that the courts will set aside the FTC’s click-to-cancel rule.”
This effort is a continuation following the submission of comments to the FTC made by ESA and industry allies. In those comments the industry explained that it is largely based on a month-to-month contract renewal model that has worked well for decades. Consumers of security systems know every day they
have security as they interact with it every time a door is open at home or in the office.
Jake Braunger, ESA’s Vice President of Advocacy and Public Affairs adds the following:
“We are not a jelly-of-the-month club, or some exotic gym membership hoping to trick consumers and lock them in for a long contract. If a mistake is made in canceling those contracts through a click-to-cancel method everything is fine. If a mistake is made and someone doesn’t know their security and life safety contract was cancelled there could be destruction of property, or even loss of life.”
Consumers change contact information and payment information quite regularly. They expect their security and life safety systems to continue to serve as a deterrent. If the industry was forced to simply shut off that deterrent with no notice because of click-to-cancel rule, the consumer would be in an incredibly dangerous position.
In response to a recent comment from extreme activists that ESA was “venue shopping” by filing in the 5th circuit, Braunger responded, “That’s absurd, we are based in Dallas, Texas so we are filing in our home court.”
Established in 1948, ESA is the largest trade association in the United States representing the electronic security and life safety industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools, and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper.
Together, ESA member companies employ more than 500,000 industry professionals and serve more than 34 million residential and commercial clients.
Rep. Prestin, serving the 108th District of the Upper Peninsula, which includes Menominee, Delta, Schoolcraft, Luce, and parts of Mackinac and Chippewa Counties was first elected in November of 2022. Prior to his election, he worked for nearly 30 years in the food and beverage industry, which culminated in his ownership of the Cedar River Plaza truck stop, which he sold in 2017. After selling Cedar River Plaza, he served 4 years on the Menominee County Commission and worked the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic as a hospital-based paramedic. He continues to serve as a volunteer firefighter and EMS first responder, as he has done for over 13 years.
My number one legislative priority is supporting fire departments and EMS service. The rural nature of the Upper Peninsula means that we don’t have full time fire departments and EMS services that are common elsewhere in the state. With the aging population and decreased participation in volunteer departments, building more emergency services capacity is more important than ever. I’ve sponsored several bills along these lines, but I’ve been clear that there’s no “silver bullet” on the issue. It will take a continued innovative effort to find new ways to help build capacity and put these services back on solid ground.
For me, this job is completely about service. When I first decided to run for office, it was because I wanted to give back to the community that gave me so much. This job can be very difficult
because of how much travel is involved to be a good representative for the Upper Peninsula. My district takes over three and a half hours to drive from one end to the other. Though the best moments are when those in-district conversations and meetings and turn them into legislative wins that make an impact in our U.P. communities. Whether it’s helping get temporary EMT licenses extended to help build EMS capacity or securing funds to keep an essential hospital running, the positive impacts I’m able to help make on our community is what keeps me going.
Well, I can’t share that exactly because I’m just as protective over my favorite hunting ground as everyone else in my district. But in all seriousness, I think the entire peninsula is a hidden gem. We have beautiful land and the best people you’ll find anywhere in the world. We have communities who support small business like you wouldn’t believe and a talented workforce that’s more dependable than you’ll find anywhere else. I think that’s the reason why everyone who comes to visit loves it so much up here, but it stays a hidden gem because it can be very hard to live up here without a lot of the conveniences and services that are taken for granted in a lot of other places.
I think that Lee Iacocca is probably the person who comes to mind. I spent a lot of my career in the food and beverage industry as a “turnaround guy”, coming into bars and restaurants on the decline and trying to fix them back up. Lee Iacocca is probably the ultimate turnaround guy when you look at what he was able to do with reviving Chrysler in the 1980s. He was the type of leader who took accountability and had the courage and confidence to take charge to turn a scrap heap into a successful business. That’s the type of leadership that we’re missing in the corporate world these days, and it’s the type of leadership that I want to bring to help turn the Upper Peninsula into a place where families can thrive.
Established in 1981, the Burglar and Fire Alarm Association of Michigan (BFAAM) serves a growing, dynamic industry with ever, rapidly changing technology. BFAAM has upgraded the alarm industry, encouraging constant improvement in the quality and professionalism of the products and services offered by the industry.
Through BFAAM, members stay informed about industry trends, technological developments and improved managerial procedures. We proudly offer our members numerous training and safety resources throughout the State. BFAAM created the BFAAM Apprenticeship Program to meet industry needs and requirements and to ensure a future of trained professionals for our industry.
Occasionally there are legislative issues that may have notable repercussions or benefits on the way we conduct business. We closely watch these items and keep the membership advised.
The goals of the association are to:
• Promote alarm systems to the general public.
• Provide information on alarm system technology and practices.
• Enhance the professional standing of alarm personnel.
• Strengthen the ethical standards of the alarm industry.
• Promote just and reasonable laws governing alarm usage.
• Regularly assist police by communicating new criminal practices.
BFAAM provides members with a wide range of benefits and resources:
• Advocacy — Representation in Lansing to ensure that Michigan lawmakers, regulators and policy leaders are made aware of the concerns and issues that affect the alarm industry.
• Education — NICET, Code Update courses, Apprenticeship Program, etc.
• Conferences — Featuring professionals in all aspects of security such as legal topics, false alarms, new products, legislative updates.
• Voting — Membership in BFAAM gives your company a vote in the direction of our industry.
• Newsletters — Published semi-annually and highlights current events and informative articles.
• Directory – Published annually, searchable and available online, features all member companies.
• Job Bank – BFAAM Members can send job openings to post on the BFAAM website for free.
• Consultation — Ability to discuss pertinent issues with the state’s leading alarm dealers.
• Networking — Catching up with your peers provides invaluable insights into the subtleties of our industry.
• Group Purchasing Discounts – A full range of services and programs to meet your company, employee and personal needs with the goal to help you and your company to continue to be successful and profitable. Following is an outline of the discounted benefit programs.
We are focused on getting the lowest possible tax liability for you, and we assure the result is in alignment with your individualized goals. As an BFAAM member, you receive our 2 times guarantee on tax planning; meaning whatever fee is paid, you receive double the fee in returned tax savings. Also, if you hire us for ongoing administration services, such as tax preparation and bookkeeping, you will receive a 10% discount on those services for life. Contact Valley Oak at 800.237.5166.
TekCollect programs include custom verbal and written contracts, electronic database skip tracing, credit bureau reporting, plus optional advanced recovery efforts for hard-to-collect accounts. Our service is securely web-based, with access to every collection effort plus real-time reports. And every effort is designed to preserve the integrity of your customer relationships. Our fees are typically less than 10%. Best of all, results are guaranteed! Contact Lance Rhutasel at lrhutasel@tekcollect.com or call 314.308.6853 ext. 1411.
Alliance (formerly Gasaway Investment Advisors, Inc.) is an investment advisory firm with a unique expertise in working with small and medium sized companies on qualified retirement plans for their employees. Our team of experienced professionals will work with your company’s leaders to develop a plan that is tailored to meet your company’s goals and then periodically review the plan to meet the needs of your company. This benefit provides discounted third party administration fees. Contact us at 800.237.5166.
Our agency has put together a team of Insurance, Human Resources and Technology professionals to provide our clients with the necessary resources to survive in today’s world of Employee Benefits. Our background, education, knowledge and experience puts us in a unique position to suggest solutions that are proven to work. Contact Vantage Pointe today at 800.237.5166.
BFAAM has teamed with Beyond Financial Planning to offer you complete insurance and financial planning services. Formerly known as Beckwith Financial Group; The team at Beyond Financial Planning works with clients daily to help families Create, Protect, and Keep Multigenerational Wealth. Simply visit us online at www.beyond-fp.com and find out how we go “Beyond” to help you enjoy exclusive benefits offered only to BFAAM members. Contact Beyond Financial Planning at 800.237.5166 for more information.
BFAAM has partnered with Ron Jackson Insurance to provide you a customized solution for your insurance needs. Whether it is your business or your family, you have worked hard for what you have. Choosing us as your insurance advisor, you will find great protection that comes at the best value for you, the member. How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your insurance program? Call us, 800.237.5166, today to discuss your opportunities. www.ronjacksonins.com
629 W. Hillsdale St. | Lansing, MI 48933
517.485.4832 | www.bfaam.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
John Romano
VICE PRESIDENT
Vacant
TREASURER
Daniel Decker, CFPS, CPP, SET
SECRETARY
Brett Byrnes
DIRECTORS
Ross Caraway
Tom Delisle
Robert Hakim
Jason McDonald
Roy Rogers
Jake Wynsma
VENDOR LIAISON
Chris McGorisk
SUPPLIER LIAISON
Dean Belisle
STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jason Wadaga
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Derek Dalling
EVENT DIRECTOR
Lauren Concannon
FINANCIAL & PAC ADMINISTRATOR
Erin Dalling
MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTOR
Trina Miller
CREATIVE & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Melissa Travis
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Miranda Strunk
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
December 4, 2024 Virtual
BFAAM ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SAVE THE DATE! October 24, 2025
BFAAM President, John Romano, (pictured second from right) and Past BFAAM President, Dean Belisle, (pictured on right) attended a Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) training event last month to discuss issues of agreement between the two associations.