Canadian Fire Alarm Association
JOURNAL
Executive Director's Message
Suzanne Alfano
Happy New Year to our members, technicians and the broader fire and life safety community that includes fire alarm equipment manufacturers and service companies, engineering firms, fire and building officials, regulators, fire services, codes and standards development organizations, academia, building owners, property managers, insurance companies, etc. We look forward to the coming year!
There are many exciting CFAA initiatives that will help to improve fire and life safety outcomes and our industry in Canada. We hope you will engage in your CFAA community. How do you do this you may ask? By attending a CFAA event, serving on a Committee or Chapter, presenting as a technical expert at our training events, being part of a CFAA podcast, writing an article for our eJournal magazine, nominating yourself or your peers for a CFAA student or technician award, etc. There are many ways to participate and volunteer at the CFAA. Reach out to Nazia Hyre, Manager of Membership, Events and Marketing, at Nazia.Hyre@cfaa.ca. We welcome your involvement!
As we closed the book on 2024, many initiatives have been completed and others are under development. Here’s a list of highlights of our year-end accomplishments and stats:
- 430 Association Members
- 4100+ Registered Technicians & Trainees (5% increase over 2023)
- 385 students graduated to become CFAA Registered Fire Alarm Trainees (9% increase over 2023)
- 300+ new CFAA Registered Fire Alarm Trainees successfully completed field training and the Registration Practical Exam to become fully registered as CFAA Fire Alarm Technicians (34% increase over 2023)
- Improved our Fire Alarm Technology Education Program with a new, updated Registration Theory Exam
- Completed development of a new virtual reality Fire Alarm Verification Inspection training tool
- Added over 90 hours of new Continuing Education training content, with in-person and live online delivery formats
- Doubled CFAA online course sales since 2023
- Launched the CFAA Technician's Podcast with new episodes dropped every two weeks
- Hosted 14 technical training events across Canada in 2024 with 2500+ attendees
- Introduced a new Course 2: Communications for Fire Alarm Technicians
- Launched the CFAA Fire Alarm Technology Program Complete Online Pack containing all 5 courses, assignments, exams and manuals needed to become a CFAA Registered Trainee
- Published the new CFAA Deficiencies Guide to aid in the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems and reporting requirements
- Published CFAA’s Position Statement for “Qualified Personnel for the Verification, Inspection, Testing, Repair and Maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems”
- Advocated for nationwide recognition of the CFAA Fire Alarm Technician certification across Canada
- Awarded nine “Above & Beyond” awards to deserving CFAA Registered Fire Alarm Technicians
- Awarded three Student Scholarship Awards to fire protection students
- Managed all queries by Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs)
- Sponsored National Fire Prevention Week aimed to promote fire prevention in communities across Canada
- Initiated the development of a new Association Management System software platform
- Assessed our readiness to qualify our Fire Alarm Technology Registration Program to ISO/IEC 17024: Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons
Thank you for unwavering commitment to improving fire and life safety outcomes across Canada. We appreciate your continued support of the CFAA and welcome your participation!
“We all get the exact same 365 days. The only difference is what we do with them.”
— Hillary DePiano
Production Team
Association President Jordan Klemick
Editor-in-Chief Ann Law
CFAA Executive Director Suzanne Alfano
Chair, Marketing & Communications Committee Tim Renaud
Artistic Direction & Graphic Design Business & Office Centro Inc.