Presidents Letter
Dear Members and Friends of the NYFAA,
Dear Member,
I am honored to continue serving as President of the New York Fire Alarm Association as we enter our 22nd year. Beginning my second term is a privilege, and I would like to extend my appreciation to our members for their continued support, engagement, and dedication to the association’s mission.
Together with our Board of Directors, I look forward to a year focused on quality, improvement, and meaningful progress across all of our initiatives.
2025 in Review & Priorities for 2026
➢ Strengthening Partnerships with the FDNY & Regional AHJs
Our relationship with the FDNY and other regional AHJs continued to develop, including meetings with Commissioner Robert S. Tucker on challenges within the Department and areas where our association can support their efforts. Even though Commissioner Tucker is resigning, these conversations remain ongoing, and we expect them to shape impactful collaboration throughout 2026.
➢ Committee Involvement & Member Engagement
Our committees remain open to all members who want to guide the future of our association.
Committees include:
• Program (Seminar) Committee
• ARCS Committee
• Membership Committee
• Special Events
• Education, Technical & Training (including the C2C initiative)
We welcome wider participation this year—member engagement is essential to our collective success.
➢ Strengthening Educational Programming
Recently through our member survey, we gathered meaningful feedback from our members regarding the seminar topics and technical content that bring the most value. In response, we are refining our programming for 2026 with a stronger focus on relevant, high-impact material.
Our goal is to deliver informative, practical sessions that align with the needs of today’s fire alarm professionals—starting with our seminar on January 14, 2026.
➢ C2C Workforce Development Initiative
Our Career-to-Career (C2C) initiative continued to gain momentum through career fairs and early partnerships. In 2026, we are expanding this effort by pursuing grant funding to help candidates obtain certifications, equipment, and job-readiness training—strengthening the pipeline of future technicians.
➢ Annual Golf Outing & Community Commitment
Our annual golf outing once again brought our association together in support of local burn center foundations and hospital burn centers. This longstanding tradition reflects our dedication to service, teamwork, and giving back.
Looking Ahead to 2026
This year will be defined by raising standards—across programming, governance, member services, and industry collaboration. I welcome your ideas and feedback as we continue strengthening the association’s impact and value.
Key 2026 Events:
• January 14, 2026 – Winter Seminar & Member Meeting / Annual Awards
• March 25, 2026 – Annual Vendor Show (potentially reimagined as an all-day program)
• May 20, 2026 – Spring General Meeting & Seminar
• September 16, 2026 – Annual Charity Golf Outing
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026 – Fall (Summer) General Meeting & Seminar
• Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – End-of-Year Meeting, Elections & Toy Drive
Wishing you, your employees, and your families a healthy and productive year ahead.
Sincerely,
Val Sherer
President nyFAA – 2026
