2023 Results Are in – SBC Members Elect New Board Members

Posted on Aug 24, 2022

The Safer Buildings Coalition 2023 Election for the Board of Directors is complete, and we are excited to seat our new Board of Directors. Congratulations to those elected!  

Elected this year:

• Vice President: Ron Schachter, RF Solutions
• Treasurer: Scott McClure, Alliance Corporation
• Secretary: Shelley DePuy, TowerIQ
• At-Large: John Thompson, Mobile Communications America (MCA)

Government Affairs Workgroup Update

NASFM 2023 Recap – Getting the ERCES Handbook In Fire Marshals’ Hands

State Fire Marshals from 42 States convene in Wilmington NC and hear SBC Message

Posted on Aug 22, 2023

State Fire Marshals, their staff, and members of the fire and life-safety industry descended on Wilmington NC from July 31 to Aug 2 to attend the 33rd Annual Fire Prevention and Safety Symposium The Safer Buildings Coalition was there armed with ERCES Handbooks and important messages: adopt and enforce ERCES codes and standards, coordinate with Frequency License Holders, increase competency for code officials and industry, and require NICET In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) Certification.

Government Affairs Workgroup Update

From the Chief’s Corner: Remember the End Game…

By Chief Alan Perdue (ret.), SBC Executive Director

Posted on July 27, 2023

When we look at the requirements within the International Fire Code Section 510.1 or NFPA 1 Section 11.10 we must ask ourselves: What is the end game? For all intents and purposes, the ultimate objective is to have communications capabilities for EMS, Fire & Law Enforcement personnel inside buildings. However, when it comes to which code requirements can be achieved, common sense and cost must be factored into the equation. For that reason, we must also consider what is truly needed versus what would be the perfect solution if money were no object. 

SBC Membership ROI –  Are You Maximizing Membership Value?

Posted on July 27, 2023

Some associations offer events or training, and perhaps they even have some focus on in-building wireless.

The Safer Buildings Coalition is the only advocacy group and resource for everything related to solving for In-Building Wireless "Dead Zones." Our targeted efforts, capabilities, resources, and advocacy efforts create tremendous value for our industry and our members, while always maintaining focus on our mission.

We would like to enumerate the Coalition’s areas of impact here, and then ask you a question: What do you need from the SBC? 

Complete ERCES Handbook: Give a book to an AHJ today! Sponsorship Program for SBC Members

Posted on July 27, 2023 

SBC will be on hand at many Fire Marshal and Industry Events Giving Handbooks to Jurisdiction Staff (Events List Below)

Getting ERCES Handbooks into the hands of AHJs and Radio Systems Owners (Frequency License Holders) is a key initiative to:

• Expand Enforcement
• Have a more consistent interpretation of codes
• Reduce misunderstandings
• Serve as a shared guide that System Integrators can use in their conversations with jurisdictions

Attending PSBTA Vision FirstNet Users Summit in Las Vegas? Special SBC Member Pricing Available!

2023 Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors Slate

Posted on July 27, 2023

The 2023 election for the Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors is here! As always, we strongly encourage our members to vote in this election -- Electronic polling is open July 15th - Aug 15th. 

Florida Enacts Bill Revising the State’s ERCES Rules

Posted on July 27, 2023 

SBC Leadership re-shaped parts of the bill, averting a drastic downgrade in enforcement 

On June 26th, Florida Governor DeSantis signed Florida HB 1575 (2023), once again updating Florida rules governing ERCES in the state.

This marks three consecutive years where the Florida legislature considered revisions to ERCES enforcement rules. The bill drafts have been initiated by various proponents from the property development and builders sector. Each year, the proponents have sought to curb enforcement of ERCES rules, and the Safer Buildings Coalition, in collaboration with other industry groups and key SBC members, have pushed back to limit these efforts, and in some cases to even improve the rules on the books.