Telecommunications Industry Association Joins Safer Buildings Coalition

Posted on June 22, 2020

The Safer Buildings Coalition is delighted to announce our newest member: The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). TIA is the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks.

TIA and the Safer Buildings Coalition signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 15, 2020 to support collaboration on standards and best practices that are key to advancing the safety of the public in the built environment, with a specific focus on smart technologies and wireless communications inside of buildings. Per the agreement, the Safer Buildings Coalition has also joined the TIA Smart Buildings Program as a Participant.

You’ll Pay for Neglect, One Way or Another

Posted on June 17, 2020
By Lisa Jardine, Director of Communications, RF Solutions

“Command from Squad 41, go ahead with your message.” “Command from Squad 41, go ahead with your message.”

An auxiliary radio communication system (ARCS) is a firefighter’s lifeline. Without it, they may as well communicate with a bullhorn. The last thing the Commander wants to hear in response to his or her request is radio silence. 

Safer Buildings Coalition added as a NPTSC Member Organization

Posted on June 17, 2020
SBC adds your voice to this very important federation

It's official: The Safer Buildings Coalition has joined the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) as an affiliate member. NPSTC Chair, Ralph Haller and SBC Managing Director John Foley signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 1, 2020. With the agreement in place, NPSTC and the Safer Buildings Coalition will work together to support the development of attributes of wireless technologies for public safety communications inside of buildings.

A message from the Safer Buildings Coalition President: This Crisis Has Taught Us Valuable Lessons

Posted on June 17, 2020

Dear Members,

The COVID-pandemic has hit us hard and affected our lives in profound ways. Now that things are reopening across much of the country, we are facing a new normal in the workspace. While some of us may go back to working in our offices, others will continue to work remotely. Some businesses may consider staggered schedules with workers splitting their time between home and work. 

But this crisis has taught us valuable lessons. The near-worldwide lockdown has forced us to learn to maximize our remote-working tools - video conferencing instead of in-person meetings; webinars instead of in-person seminars and training; or creative new ways of networking and marketing now that the trade shows we used to attend are canceled or have gone virtual. In short: We are finding ways to keep our work efficient and productive. 

2020 Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors Election – What You Need to Know

Posted on June 17, 2020

The 2020 election for the Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors is coming up. As always, we strongly encourage our members to vote in this election -- and to consider putting your name on the 2020 ballot and help the Coalition continue to make a difference. 

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s election:

New roles for current President & Vice President

Current SBC Board President Patrick Lau of Comba Telecom will step into the role of Immediate Past President. Thank you for your service, Patrick!

Current SBC Board VP Eric Toenjes of Graybar will become President of the Board. 

Which positions are up for election?

Vice President – Term: 1 year. Note that this is a three-year commitment, which includes the positions of: Vice President (1 year), President (1 year) & Immediate Past Present (1 year).

Treasurer – Term: 3 years.

From the Chief’s Corner: Inside the Stairway, Allowed or Not...

Posted on June 17, 2020

AHJs and integrators often ask me what seems like a really simple question: “Can I put antennas, or even the backbone cable, within a rated exit stairway?” To answer that question let’s start with the word “intent.” “Intent” is a noun that comes from the verb "intend." It means to have something in mind as a plan or purpose. So, what is the plan or purpose of an in-building emergency responder communications enhancement system (ERCES)? Quite simply: It is to provide communications capabilities for the first responders.

The events of 9-11 at the World Trade Center have certainly guided many changes within the fire service. Most important to many of us are the requirements related to in-building communications.

Safer Buildings Coalition Surveys: We Asked the Important Questions; You Provided the Answers

Posted on June 17, 2020

As part of our efforts to keep in touch with you, our members, and better understand how best to serve you, the Safer Buildings Coalition in March hired Matthew Champagne, Ph.D. to help us establish a targeted survey program. Dr. Champagne has gathered more than 93 million survey responses from 550 organizations worldwide and will leverage this database and his 30 years of research to ensure the accuracy of member feedback.

Many of you have received and answered these surveys -- thanks for that. This has provided us with valuable insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your business and the industry as a whole; how you see the strength of your companies a year from now; and your thoughts on technologies that may be part of the post-pandemic "new normal." And much more.

Don’t Forget to Take Advantage of the Safer Buildings Coalition Referral Program

Posted on June 17, 2020

Safer Buildings Coalition membership keeps growing; both in terms of numbers and diversity. And that is what makes us stronger as an organization. 

We want to continue this growth, and we are delighted to announce that our Referral Program remains in place as a way for you, our members, to help spread the word about SBC and receive a discount on your membership fee. 

This program allows members to earn membership discounts when they refer a new member to the Coalition. These are the details for the program...

Get to Know Your Safer Buildings Coalition Workgroups — Codes & Standards

Posted on June 17, 2020

Workgroup: Codes & Standards
Chair: Josh Gerst, Vice President of Engineering at RF Connect.

Safer Buildings Coalition: Please describe your work group and its objectives.
Josh Gerst: The Codes and Standards workgroup is currently the largest workgroup inside SBC. 

Our main objectives are:

• Helping to shape code by working through the IFC and NFPA formal code processes.
• Working with local AHJs to help them clearly interpret existing code, and to properly enforce it.  

Get to Know Your Safer Buildings Coalition Workgroups — Government Affairs

Posted on June 17, 2020

Workgroup: Government Affairs 
Chair: Jon Pasqualone, Executive Director, Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (FFMIA). 

Safer Buildings Coalition: Please describe your work group and its objectives.
Jon Pasqualone: The Government Affairs workgroup in my mind is a base where the foundation is built for the three pillars of the Safer Buildings Coalition. Our official page states: “The Working Group's purpose is to provide timely expertise and advice to the Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors. The Working Group responds to requests for assistance from the SBC Sponsor and Co-Sponsor (acting on behalf of the Board of Directors) tracks government affairs issues of concern (or potential concern) to the Coalition, and drafts for the Board of Directors approval responses or position statements as needed.”