What a year it has been! From the crazy idea around a restaurant table to start a podcast, to getting the first interviews set up, to recording a theme song based on the iconic temp 3 horns that we all know so well (often in our nightmares!), it was a bit of a leap to release the first episode in January 2024 and see how it would go.

A year later, we’ll have released one episode every two weeks for the entire year, covering a wide range of topics in the world of Fire Alarm technicians. That’s 27 episodes we’ve done in 2024! Whether you're looking for information on the CFAA's position statement on qualified personnel, want to learn more about using aspiration detection in elevator shafts, or need updates on provincial and national code changes, there’s an episode waiting for you! We’ve also had the opportunity to connect with many people in the industry, making our entire country and industry feel a little “smaller.” It’s clear that this industry is full of people who are just trying to do the right thing every day. While we may not always agree on the specifics, we can all see the commonality in our shared goals of saving lives and protecting property.

The Above and Beyond Awards (thank you, Technician’s Committee!) were also a great success this year. In the coming episodes, we will feature each of the winners to round out the year. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from conducting all these interviews, it’s that many of us stumbled into the fire alarm industry through a friend or family member. We stay in this industry because of the variety it offers—working on a different site every day with new risks, challenges, and scenery is a compelling reason to be a Fire Alarm Technician!

As we look ahead to 2025, let’s renew our sense of purpose in this work. I’ll ask again: If you’ve had an experience that others could learn from or have spent hours researching some corner of the codes, consider joining the podcast or writing an article for the Journal! We would love to have you contribute, and we’ll ensure the process is easy and collaborative. We want to showcase all our contributors in the best light, so they look their best while sharing their valuable insights.

I’m constantly encouraged by the positive feedback from people across the country who are listening to the podcast and reading the Journal articles. If you have ideas for other ways we can market the CFAA or share our industry with those who may be considering a career in fire alarm systems, please let us know how we can help. And be prepared to roll up your sleeves and pitch in!