The end of the NBFAA

IRVING, Texas—Members of the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association have voted overwhelmingly to change the name of the 61-year-old organization to the Electronic Security Association, the NBFAA announced Sept. 9.

The ayes had it by 79 percent, well over the two-thirds majority required by the association bylaws. In all, 543 votes were cast: four were ineligible, 424 voted in favor of the change and 115 voted against the change. The turnout for the mail-in vote was roughly 20 percent of the NBFAA membership, which vacillates between 2,800 and 2,900 members.

“The name resonates better, reflects where we're headed and captures where we've been,” said Dave Simon, brand update manager for the NBFAA.

ESA officials believe the new name more accurately represents the services that the members and prospective-members provide and will strengthen its cause in legislative matters, when dealing with public authorities, and in expanding its membership and influence.

This is the second time the NBFAA voted on a name change. In the winter of 2006, the membership voted against changing the name to ELSSA, the Electronic Life Safety and Security Association.

At that time, many long-time members actively opposed a name change. Some of those, such as Pat Egan, president of Select Security, have come around.

Egan called himself a “traditionalist” who was “not a fan of changing the name.” He noted, “we are, after all, in the burglar alarm business.” Yet, Egan said, “I think many of us have come to the realization that we're not letting go of the legacy, that this is a natural progression in our industry. So I'm embracing the new name. I'm onboard.”