Membership in the Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA) provides far more than a logo on a website or a name in a directory. It offers meaningful support for companies and professionals working in Louisiana’s life safety, security, fire protection, locksmith, access control, and integrated systems industries. LLSSA exists to strengthen its members’ businesses, advance professionalism, and protect the future of the industry through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

One of the most significant benefits of LLSSA membership is access to high-quality education and continuing professional development. The association offers a wide range of training opportunities designed specifically for Louisiana-licensed life safety and property protection professionals. These include in-person classes, regional training events, live webinars, and large-scale educational conferences. Many of these programs provide Continuing Education Units required for licensing and renewal, and members receive discounted registration rates. LLSSA’s educational offerings are developed with direct input from industry experts and regulators, ensuring content is practical, relevant, and compliant with current state requirements.

LLSSA membership also opens the door to a full calendar of industry events that combine education, networking, and business growth. The Annual Convention and Trade Show brings together professionals from across the state for multiple days of CEU sessions, regulatory updates, and hands-on access to manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. Dealer conferences, regional meetings, and special events throughout the year give members opportunities to stay informed, exchange ideas, and build relationships that often lead to partnerships, referrals, and long-term business connections. Member pricing for these events offers substantial savings while encouraging active participation.

Beyond education and events, LLSSA membership delivers tangible cost-saving benefits that directly impact day-to-day business operations. Members gain access to association-sponsored programs designed to reduce expenses on essential services and tools needed to operate efficiently. These include business support resources, administrative services, and exclusive member discounts that can offset the cost of membership many times over. For companies focused on managing overhead while maintaining compliance and professionalism, these savings are a key advantage.

Insurance and risk management opportunities are another important benefit of LLSSA membership. Through strategic partnerships with industry-focused providers, members may have access to group insurance options and employee benefit programs tailored to the life safety and security industry. These programs can help businesses control costs while offering competitive benefits that support employee recruitment and retention. In addition, being part of a recognized professional association can positively support conversations with insurers by demonstrating commitment to training, standards, and best practices.

LLSSA also plays a critical role in representing the interests of its members before regulators, legislators, and industry stakeholders. The association actively monitors legislative and regulatory developments that affect life safety and property protection businesses in Louisiana. By engaging with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and other authorities, LLSSA helps ensure that rules and policies are practical, clearly communicated, and reflective of real-world industry operations. This advocacy provides members with a collective voice that no individual company could achieve alone.

Community involvement and workforce development are central to LLSSA’s mission as well. Through its scholarship programs and outreach initiatives, the association invests in education and supports families connected to public safety and the life safety industry. These efforts help build goodwill, promote career pathways, and strengthen the future workforce that member companies depend on.

LLSSA offers multiple membership categories to ensure that companies, individuals, and allied organizations can participate at a level appropriate to their role in the industry. Licensed life safety and security companies, related industry businesses, manufacturers, service providers, affiliates, individuals, allied professionals, and public safety personnel all have membership options designed to provide value while supporting the association’s mission. This inclusive structure creates a diverse and collaborative community united by a shared commitment to safety, professionalism, and ethical business practices.

Ultimately, LLSSA membership is an investment in your business, your people, and the industry as a whole. It provides education that keeps you compliant and competitive, events that connect you with peers and partners, cost-saving programs that support your bottom line, and advocacy that protects your ability to do business in Louisiana. For professionals dedicated to life safety and property protection, LLSSA membership is not just beneficial — it is essential.

To learn more about membership opportunities and benefits, visit www.llssa.org

The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA) has unveiled a new Members-Only section on its website, offering exclusive resources tailored for professionals in the life safety and security industry. While specific details of this section are protected and accessible only to members, LLSSA emphasizes that it is designed to provide valuable content and tools to support members’ professional growth and operational needs.

LLSSA is committed to enhancing this Members-Only section by regularly adding new features and resources. To ensure the platform meets the evolving needs of its members, LLSSA encourages feedback and suggestions. Members are invited to share their ideas on what they’d like to see in future updates, fostering a collaborative environment for continuous improvement.

To explore the exclusive content, members can visit the Members-Only section on the LLSSA website. Access requires member credentials, ensuring that the resources remain exclusive to LLSSA members.

For more information or to become a member, visit LLSSA’s Membership Page.

Stay connected with LLSSA for the latest updates and enhancements to the Members-Only section and take full advantage of the resources available to support your professional journey in the life safety and security industry.

Fuel Smarter with WEX

Fuel costs are always a concern for businesses—but with the WEX Fuel Card, your business stays in control. Designed for fleets of all sizes, WEX helps you manage every gallon, every mile, and every driver with precision.

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WEX simplifies expense tracking, streamlines operations, and provides the insights you need to make informed decisions about your fleet. Whether your vehicles are on the highway or around town, WEX helps eliminate the guesswork, reduce fuel waste, and keep your fleet running efficiently.

Take control of your fuel spending, protect your business, and drive smarter with the WEX Fuel Card.

To learn more about WEX can help your business, contact a Savings4Members Consultant at 603-628-2701 | info@savings4members.com

11th Annual Dealer Conference: Education, Innovation, and Industry Connection

The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA) is pleased to announce the 11th Annual Dealer Conference, taking place April 8–9, 2026, at the Natchitoches Events Center in Natchitoches, Louisiana. This premier event brings together company owners, decision-makers, and technicians for two days of focused education, networking, and industry insight.

The Dealer Conference is designed to serve every segment of the life safety and security industry. Attendees can choose from dedicated business and technical education tracks, participate in technician-focused sessions, attend the state meeting, and connect with peers and vendors on the tradeshow floor. Industry-leading instructors will present timely content covering fire, security, and emerging technologies, delivering practical information you can apply immediately.

The conference also features a Welcome Reception, interactive sessions, and a full tradeshow showcasing leading manufacturers and service providers. Space is limited, and sessions are expected to fill quickly, so early registration is strongly encouraged to secure your preferred classes.

Enhance your experience with the Event Application, which allows you to connect with other attendees, build a personalized schedule, participate in interactive activities, and compete for prizes. The app is designed to help you make the most of your time at the conference. Details on the app launch will be announced soon.

Education remains the cornerstone of the Dealer Conference. Sessions are led by experienced industry professionals and focus on current trends, best practices, and real-world solutions that support business growth, compliance, and technical excellence.

In addition to education, the tradeshow provides the opportunity to explore new products, services, and solutions while strengthening relationships with industry partners and sponsors. It is an ideal setting to discover what’s new and build connections that last beyond the event.

The Dealer Conference is more than a meeting—it’s a complete industry experience. Register early to secure your spot and join us in Natchitoches for two days of learning, collaboration, and professional growth.

For registration, schedules, venue details, and hotel information, visit the Dealer Conference page. We look forward to seeing you there.

In the life safety and property protection industry, codes and standards are more than reference documents—they are the foundation of professional practice. From system design and installation to inspection, testing, maintenance, and enforcement, the codes and standards that govern our work define what “safe,” “reliable,” and “compliant” truly mean. The image above highlights the breadth of fire-related standards used around the world, spanning detection, alarm, suppression, electrical systems, and building safety. For Louisiana professionals, understanding how these standards interact—and which ones apply—is essential to protecting lives, property, and your business.

At the national level, the work of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) forms the backbone of life safety regulation across the United States. NFPA standards such as the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, the Life Safety Code, and the National Electrical Code establish minimum requirements for system performance, installation practices, and ongoing maintenance. In Louisiana, many of these standards are adopted by reference through the State Fire Marshal’s Office and local authorities having jurisdiction. That adoption makes NFPA compliance not optional, but mandatory, and places the responsibility squarely on licensed professionals to know and apply the correct editions and requirements.

At the same time, the industry does not operate in a vacuum. International standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and European Norms (EN) influence equipment manufacturing, system design, and performance testing worldwide. Many devices installed in Louisiana—fire alarm control units, detectors, suppression systems, and extinguishers—are designed and built to ISO or EN standards before they ever reach the U.S. market. A working knowledge of these standards helps professionals better understand product capabilities, limitations, and intended applications, particularly when dealing with specialized hazards, clean agent systems, or global manufacturers.

Equally important are product safety and performance certifications issued by organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Listings and labels verify that equipment has been tested to recognized standards and performs as intended when installed correctly. For Louisiana contractors, installers, inspectors, and sales professionals, recognizing the role of third-party certification is critical when specifying equipment, documenting compliance, and defending installations during inspections or audits.

Understanding codes and standards is not just about passing inspections—it is about professional credibility and risk management. Improper application of a standard, failure to follow testing and maintenance requirements, or misunderstanding how multiple codes intersect can expose companies to liability, enforcement actions, and reputational damage. More importantly, it can put occupants, first responders, and property at unnecessary risk. Codes exist because lessons were learned—often through loss—and they represent the collective knowledge of the industry.

For Louisiana life safety and property protection professionals, this knowledge is also directly tied to licensing, continuing education, and ethical practice. Staying current with adopted codes, amendments, and referenced standards is part of being a responsible professional. It allows you to communicate clearly with regulators, educate customers accurately, and design systems that truly meet the intent of the law—not just the minimum line items on a plan review checklist.

The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA) exists to support professionals in navigating this complex landscape. Through education programs, conventions, regional meetings, webinars, and industry updates, LLSSA helps bridge the gap between evolving codes and real-world application. In an industry where standards continue to expand and technology evolves rapidly, understanding the “why” behind the codes is just as important as knowing the rule itself.

In the end, codes and standards are not obstacles to overcome—they are tools that empower life safety and property protection professionals to do what matters most: protect people, safeguard property, and uphold the trust placed in our industry across Louisiana.

In the life safety and property protection industry, one recurring question continues to surface: does a tenant need to sign a contract if the property owner has already signed one? A recent Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum article highlights why this issue matters and why alarm, fire, and security professionals should not treat it as a simple formality. The answer often depends on who owns the system, who uses it day-to-day, and who is expected to comply with the contractual obligations tied to monitoring, maintenance, testing, and response.

From a Louisiana perspective, this question carries added importance. Under Louisiana law, contracts are generally enforceable only against the parties who sign them and have legal authority over the obligations being assumed. When a property owner signs an agreement for life safety or property protection systems, that contract typically governs installation, ownership of equipment, and long-term obligations such as monitoring or service fees. However, tenants are often the daily users of these systems. They arm and disarm alarms, interact with access control systems, and may be responsible—by ordinance or lease terms—for false alarms, system misuse, or compliance with local alarm regulations. If a tenant is not a party to the alarm or monitoring contract, enforcing responsibilities such as user training, operational compliance, or cost recovery can become difficult.

This distinction is especially relevant in Louisiana municipalities with alarm ordinances that place specific obligations or penalties on the “alarm user” rather than the property owner alone. False alarm fines, permit requirements, and renewal obligations may fall on the occupant of the premises, even when the owner signed the original contract. Without a tenant’s signature—or a clearly documented agreement tying the tenant to system responsibilities—alarm companies may find themselves caught between owners, tenants, and local authorities. For life safety systems, including fire alarms, similar issues arise when tenants control daily operations but are not contractually bound to testing schedules, impairment notifications, or misuse provisions.

The takeaway for Louisiana life safety and property protection professionals is not that every situation requires the same paperwork, but that clarity is critical. Contracts should clearly define who owns the equipment, who is responsible for system operation, and who bears liability for misuse, false alarms, or noncompliance. In many cases, obtaining a tenant acknowledgment or a separate agreement—especially when the tenant is the primary system user—can reduce disputes and protect all parties involved. As the Kirschenbaum article underscores, strong contracts are not just legal documents; they are risk-management tools that help ensure systems are used properly, laws are followed, and expectations are understood from the start.

LLSSA encourages members to review their contract practices with these considerations in mind and to consult qualified legal counsel when structuring agreements involving both property owners and tenants. Doing so helps safeguard your business, supports compliance with Louisiana law, and ultimately strengthens the life safety and property protection services provided to customers across the state.

Kat Brown has made truly remarkable contributions to the life safety and security industry in Louisiana, and her impact on LLSSA cannot be overstated. While her retirement marks the end of an era, it also offers an opportunity to celebrate a career defined by leadership, service, and a genuine commitment to strengthening our industry. Kat’s steady guidance, thoughtful decision-making, and willingness to step up whenever needed helped shape LLSSA into the strong, respected association it is today.

Throughout her years of service, Kat held numerous key leadership roles within LLSSA, including Convention Committee Chairperson, Legislative Chairperson, Membership Chairperson, and Election Chairperson. In each of these roles, she brought focus, integrity, and a deep understanding of the life safety and property protection profession. Her work was instrumental in building meaningful events, advancing legislative awareness, growing membership, and ensuring transparent and effective governance. Simply put, Kat helped mold both the association and the industry it serves across Louisiana.

Beyond her formal titles, Kat has been a passionate advocate for people. Her dedication to the WISE Group—Women in Security Empowerment—created space for women in the life safety and property protection industry to connect, learn, mentor one another, and grow professionally. Through WISE, Kat helped foster confidence, collaboration, and community, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment that will continue to benefit future generations of industry professionals.

As we celebrate Kat Brown’s retirement, we do so with gratitude, admiration, and best wishes for the adventures ahead. Her legacy of service, leadership, and encouragement will remain firmly woven into the fabric of LLSSA. We invite our members and industry partners to join us in recognizing Kat’s incredible journey and thanking her for the lasting mark she has left on Louisiana’s life safety and security community.

Continuing Education Units, or CEUs, are a fundamental part of maintaining an active Life Safety & Property Protection endorsement in Louisiana. The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, through the LSPP Education Board, defines a CEU as one hour of approved continuing education designed to ensure that licensed professionals remain current on codes, technology, safety practices, and regulatory requirements. CEUs exist to support competency and consistency across the industry, ensuring that every technician or specialist working under an LSPP endorsement maintains the knowledge necessary to protect people and property effectively.

CEUs in Louisiana must meet the standards established by the LSPP Education Board, as outlined in the Training and Education Guidelines and Louisiana Administrative Code. For continuing education to qualify, the content must be directly relevant to the licensee’s endorsement and to the broader life safety or property protection fields. Commonly accepted topics include instruction on fire alarm systems, fire suppression system installation or maintenance, life-safety codes, state regulatory updates, security system operation, access control technologies, locksmithing practices, CCTV integration, inspection procedures, testing requirements, and other material that impacts compliance, safety, or proper system performance. Courses must come from Board-approved CEU providers, and the instruction must clearly support the professional duties, technical responsibilities, or regulatory obligations of the license holder.

Louisiana requires each LSPP license holder to complete eight CEUs every year. At least half of these hours must come from specific content categories defined by the Education Board to ensure that the training is sufficiently technical and relevant to the endorsement. These requirements help prevent licensees from relying on overly general training and encourage ongoing learning in the core areas tied to fire and security system safety. Courses taken for CEU credit must be completed within the licensing cycle and must align with the Board’s published guidelines to ensure they are accepted at renewal.

Reporting CEUs is an individual responsibility. When professionals renew their LSPP credentials, they must certify that they have completed the required eight hours and must provide documentation such as certificates of completion from approved providers. These certificates must be retained and submitted with the renewal form or made available upon request by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Failure to complete or properly document CEUs can delay or prevent license renewal, temporarily prohibiting the individual from performing work under their LSPP endorsement.

CEUs play a critical role in maintaining Louisiana’s high standards for life safety and property protection. The technology, codes, and best practices that govern our industry continue to evolve, and continuing education ensures that licensed professionals remain informed and capable. For those in fire alarm, suppression, security, CCTV, and related disciplines, CEUs are not simply a regulatory requirement; they are an ongoing commitment to professionalism, public safety, and the integrity of the systems we install and maintain.

Professionals seeking CEUs will find that the LLSSA offers some of the most accessible and relevant opportunities in the state. Each year, CEU-approved classes are available at the LLSSA Convention, the Dealer Conference in Natchitoches, regional meetings across Louisiana, self-paced online, and through our ongoing webinar series. These training events are tailored specifically to LSPP-licensed professionals and address the real-world challenges and code requirements of our industry. LLSSA members receive discounted pricing on many of these CEU courses, making it easier and more economical to stay compliant while staying connected to the latest developments in life safety and property protection.

Understanding the Lafayette Alarm Ordinance: What Alarm Users and Alarm Companies Must Know

The Lafayette Alarm Ordinance, established through Ordinance O-246-98 and later amended by O-114-2008, sets the standards for how alarm users, alarm installation companies, and monitoring providers must operate within the City of Lafayette. Its primary purpose is to reduce false alarm dispatches, maintain current and accurate records, and ensure that life-safety and property-protection systems are installed, monitored, and maintained responsibly. Under this ordinance, every alarm user must obtain an alarm permit before any new activation, system conversion, or takeover. Alarm companies are responsible for ensuring that a permit is in place prior to beginning monitoring or installation services. A company that activates or takes over a system without verifying a valid user permit is in violation of Section 32-44 and may face fines ranging from $100 to $250 for each 30-day period in which the violation occurs. These fines underscore the importance of compliance and are designed to reinforce the city’s efforts to prevent repeated false alarms and misuse of emergency response resources.

Alarm companies and monitoring centers also carry specific responsibilities under the Lafayette ordinance. Each company engaging in business within the city must register annually with the Lafayette Police Department’s Alarm Administrator. This registration does not require a fee, but it must be completed by January 15 each year to remain in good standing. As part of their ongoing obligations, companies must maintain accurate and updated records for all alarm users, including current names, telephone numbers, and alternative contact information. They are also expected to provide proper employee training on false alarm prevention, designate a False Alarm Coordinator to manage alarm issues, and proactively assist customers who experience recurring false alarms. The attached document explains that when a user reaches four false alarm dispatches in a one-year period, companies are encouraged to send a technician to assess the system or have the coordinator work with the customer to identify contributing factors and reduce further activations. This collaborative effort between users and providers is a central component of Lafayette’s false alarm reduction strategy.

The ordinance also outlines proper procedures for reporting and canceling burglary alarms to ensure efficient communication with emergency responders. If a monitoring center is located within Lafayette’s local calling area, alarm signals must be reported to 911. Centers located outside the local calling area must use the designated long-distance number, (337) 232-1400. The Lafayette Police Department specifically instructs alarm companies not to use any other departmental numbers for alarm reporting or cancelation, as doing so disrupts established communication protocols. Additionally, the city asks alarm companies to gather household or business pet information from alarm users so that first responders can approach the property more safely during an emergency call. This includes details such as pet type, color, name, and where the animal is typically located inside the premises.

False alarm fines, permit registrations, updates, and renewals are handled through the City of Lafayette’s False Alarm Reduction Program, managed by PM-AM. Users can apply for permits, update information, or pay false alarm fees online at www.famspermit.com/lafayette, by phone at 1-877-875-9177, or by mail to the address listed in the ordinance materials. A mobile app, FAMS-ALM, is also available for those who prefer digital access. Maintaining an active permit and updating information whenever changes occur are essential parts of remaining compliant with the ordinance. Failure to do so may result in fines, service interruptions, or additional enforcement actions by the city.

The Lafayette Alarm Ordinance reflects a shared responsibility among alarm users, alarm companies, monitoring centers, and public safety agencies. By ensuring that systems are properly permitted, monitored, and maintained—and by taking reasonable steps to reduce false alarms—everyone contributes to a safer community and more efficient emergency response. The ordinance is not simply a regulatory requirement; it is a coordinated effort to ensure that police, fire, and EMS resources remain available for true emergencies and that alarm systems continue to serve as reliable tools for protecting lives and property.

LLSSA Launches New Monthly Webinar Series Beginning December 15

The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA) is pleased to announce the launch of a brand-new Monthly Webinar Series, with the first session kicking off on December 15. This recurring educational program is designed to keep Louisiana’s life safety and property protection professionals informed, engaged, and equipped with the knowledge they need in a rapidly evolving industry.

Each month, LLSSA will host a live one-hour webinar featuring important updates on issues directly affecting our membership — from regulatory changes and licensing requirements to state and national developments impacting alarm installers, fire technicians, and integrators across Louisiana. These sessions ensure that our members stay connected with what’s happening both inside LLSSA and throughout the industry.

Every webinar will also be sponsored by one of our valued Associate Members, who help make this program possible. In appreciation of the time and professionalism our members invest in continuing education, LLSSA will offer one (1) hour of CEU credit to participants who attend the full session. CEUs are available exclusively to LLSSA members.  Unless otherwise noted, attendance is free, but registration is required to access each month’s live presentation.

This new monthly offering is part of LLSSA’s ongoing commitment to support our members with high-quality training opportunities and to help them maintain the CEUs necessary for license renewal. Whether you’re an alarm installer, fire technician, security integrator, monitoring professional, or company owner, these webinars provide a convenient and valuable way to stay informed and advance your professional development.

Registration links and monthly topics will be posted on the LLSSA website and distributed through email announcements. We look forward to having you join us as we begin this exciting new member benefit — another example of LLSSA’s dedication to strengthening Louisiana’s life safety and property protection industry.