Security industry aids Gulf Coast recovery

YARMOUTH, Maine--As soon as the nation witnessed the path of Hurricane Katrina's wrath throughout the Gulf Coast, the security industry wanted to do their part to help and provide support to those affected by the disaster. They are doing just this. Security companies and their employees across the country have stepped up to offer money, housing, employment and other assistance to the many victims of Hurricane Katrina. Last week, the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association sent a memo to its members urging them to donate to the relief efforts. The association coordinated a fundraising campaign to collect donations to the American Red Cross for the next two weeks. The association asks that donations be received no later than Sept. 16, 2005. Other industry associations have organized fundraising campaigns, as well. The National Electronic Security Alliance and the False Alarm Reduction Association teamed up to create a web site that offers forums for industry members to see the status of Katrina victims and information about how to help them. "It seemed to us, a simple thing to do--to create a web site so that people can post their own messages to let others know that they are okay," said Brad Shipp, NESA executive director. Those with access to e-mail use the site as a means to communicate with others, added Shipp. "It is a central way for people to communicate about this. It can only be helpful." Already many postings on the forum are from security companies and professionals offering their donations to the areas hit hardest by the hurricane, including Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. And, for displaced Gulf Coast residents interested in settling elsewhere, there are job postings from around the country. As power is restored, associations in the Gulf Coast are trying to contact members to determine their needs. "It's a tragedy, we got all these displaced folk, that now know they need to get their life back to order," Shipp said. For more information, visit: http://katrina.nesaus.org a site operated by NESA and FARA or the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance at www.give.org.