Hello again from the Marketing Committee! We continue ahead with the main projects that are under our purview – namely the CFAA Journal and the CFAA Fire Alarm Technician’s Podcast.

In the CFAA Journal, we have more great content from our contributors, with continued contributions by many experts from across the country. We have had our own Executive Director, Suzanne Alfano, contribute an article on single-exit stair designs for mid-rise residential buildings, we have also had Chris Ramenda from Onyx Fire and Safety contribute an article on requirements for permits on your upcoming project. It is insightful research on relevant topics that brings value to this Journal and continues to lead our industry towards a higher level of understanding and compliance with the codes and standards.

Speaking of timely topics and elevating our industry, many staff and volunteer members of the CFAA have been doing live and online presentations educating our fire prevention officers, technicians and engineers across Canada through CFAA Annual Technical Seminars and other outreach. Let us know if we need to work with your local AHJ to get the word out and help their teams to get up to date on the revised codes and standards.

Oh… and what about the CFAA Fire Alarm Technician’s Podcast?

We are currently at episode 44 of the podcast with many voices and perspectives being highlighted on the show. Our CFAA National Vice-President, Lui Tai was on for a two-episode arc on the Ontario Building Code and how the changed code is affecting our designs and day-to-day in the fire alarm industry. We had Ontario Deputy Fire Marshall John McBeth on the podcast recently to discuss smoke alarm safety and how to be the voice of our industry to your close circle of people. Other guests have complemented their CFAA Journal articles on certain subjects by being on the podcast, like Cindy Leber discussing digital reporting tools on both the podcast and the Journal. We also had a hilarious and insightful discussion on episode 39 with Chris Logan from the Fire Sprinkler Podcast and Tom Richards (long time contributor) to discuss the wires vs. water age-old battle between fire alarm techs and sprinkler fitters (of course, I’m kidding… a little).

We have great plans for 2026 in the CFAA National Committees, and we are always looking for more help from our members across Canada.

Let’s end with this simple question for you, the reader:

What would you like to do this year to help raise the level of our industry? There are so many choices: Join a provincial chapter committee, join a national committee, submit an article for the Journal, come on the Podcast (We will make it simple and painless!), spread the word to your co-workers about the podcast and Journal (that is an easy one!). If any of this seems overwhelming and hard to attain, just reach out to the CFAA and we will find a way to get you involved.