Minnesota Automatic Fire Alarm Association

The MNAFAA is a diverse group of members and board members open to manufacturers, distributors, engineers, AHJs and other fire life safety professionals.

The MNAFAA is working with local committees and national chapters to promote automatic fire alarm industry standards and best practices.

Minnesota's Automatic Fire Alarm Association

Helping save lives by empowering the fire alarm and emergency communications industry through code development, education, advancements in technology and leveraging research.

National vs local and what our purpose is.

AFAA stands for the Automatic Fire Alarm Association. The national chapter of the AFAA was formed in 1953 and is the only national trade association exclusively dedicated to representing the automatic fire detection and fire alarm systems industry.

The Association is committed to influencing codes and standards at all levels to make buildings safer through the proper application of automatic fire detection and fire alarm systems. It actively participates in the code change process of International Code Conference (ICC) with focus on the IBC, IFC and IRC national codes; and the key NFPA Codes/Standards with focus on NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code and 101 Life Safety Code.

MNAFAA is an independent not-for-profit organization outside of the national AFAA. MNAFAA is focused on national standards and local adoption and implementation. We work at the state level to represent our members with local awareness, training, and education and development of codes and standards including ICC, IBC, IFC, IRC, & NFPA as it pertains to Minnesota.

Our Mission

To assist in improving Life Safety for Minnesota, educate organizations and individuals in the industry, influence codes and standards, promote the role of fire alarm systems, communicate ideas and solutions, and promote Licensing & Certification programs.

What We Do

The Association is committed to education of fire alarm system designers, installers and code officials. The MNAFAA provides a voice for its members to participate in the fire code development and adoption process. Our members make building safer through the proper installation, inspection, and maintenance of automatic fire alarm systems.

(May 2024 – May/Annual membership Meeting 2025)

Board Members

Elections are to occur at the May general membership meeting. Board member terms are two-years in length. Board position terms are one-year in length and are appointed by the board after the May meeting.

BOARD PRESIDENT

Jill Larson-Vito MBA

As President of your Minnesota Automatic Fire Alarm Association (MNAFAA) I will provide financial oversight, Vision, Mission, Appoint Board members for consideration, Identify long term goals, and preside over board meetings, collaborate meeting agenda's, & board attendance. Specialty: Managing teams to perform fire life safety services. MNAFAA BOARD SERVICE: 2024-2026 Presently serving as Board President President since (2024) Served on the board since (2020)

Company:SIEMENS Industry, Inc

Term:2024-2026

Phone:952-254-5254

Email:Jill.Larson-Vito@siemens.com

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BOARD VICE-PRESIDENT

Larry Anderson

As Vice-President of your Minnesota Automatic Fire Alarm Association (MNAFAA). I will assist members as a Financial Liaison, provide financial oversight, auditing, & reports, and fill in as acting president when required. Specialty: Fire Life Safety Estimating 35 years in various roles including technical, project management, design, sales, and sales management. NICET Level IV certified in Fire Alarm Systems - NICET Certification #96773. "The life safety industry has been my career passion and I’m proud to be a member of the MN AFAA so I can assist others within the industry. "

Company:(LVC) Low Voltage Contractors

Term:2024-2026

Phone:952-693-1259

Email:landerson@lvcinc.com

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BOARD TREASURER

Keith Randall

As Treasurer of your Minnesota Automatic Fire Alarm Association (MNAFAAA). I will act as the members Financial Liaison, provide Financial oversight, auditing, & reports. Providing reports to board member meetings of the financial health of the Minnesota Automatic Fire Alarm association. Specialty: Fire Life Safety Estimating

Company:Egan Companies

Term:2024-2026

Phone:763.336.4271

Email:kar@eganco.com

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BOARD SECRETARY

Troy Bradley, MA

As Board Secretary of your Minnesota Automatic Fire Alarm Association (MNAFAA). I will take board member meeting Minutes, Records, Board meeting schedule, Terms, & Orientation Fire Life Safety Service Sales Representative

Company:Johnson Controls

Term:2024-2026

Phone:715-512-1543

Email:troy.bradley@jci.com

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Deputy Fire Marshal DIRECTOR - CODE COMPLIANCE & DEVELOPMENT

Bill Beumer (AHJ)

As director of code compliance and influence, I will act as a liaison Committee/Board, Code Addenda's, Action Items, and provide support to members related to Minnesota compliance related to fire life safety systems. I will also serve on committee's to influence, modify and innovate standards to technologies of our day. Specialty: Fire Life Safety Code Compliance. Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) MNAFAA BOARD SERVICE: 2024-2026 Presently serving as Director of Code Compliance & Development Director since (2023) Served on the board since (2023)

Company:City of Maple Grove Fire & Rescue

Term:2024-2026

Phone:763-494-6095

Email:bbeumer@maplegrovemn.gov

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PROGRAM CHAIR - Code & Standards Influence

Dan Morehead

As the MNAFAA Program Chair I will track changes to the standards as it pertains to Minnesota. Sit on influencing committees to modify and innovate standards to the latest technologies. Specialty: Fire Life Safety Design & Code change requests Technology Systems Designer NICET Level IV, 129977, Fire Alarm Systems

Company:(MTG) Master Technology Group

Phone:952-564-5844

Email:dan.morehead@callmtg.com

Director of Web Presence

Bob Johnson

MNAFAA Brand Development, engage industry audience, increase traffic, increase membership through web presence and social media platforms. Specialty: Programming, Heavy Industrial, Clean Agent Fire Suppression, Fire Life Safety Alarm & Detection 37 years in the industry, 16 years as a technician, 21 years in various field support roles, project management, design, business development. Most of my carrier has been working with Special Hazard specific function fire suppression systems. The past 7 years in Fire alarm life safety systems. "I am passionate about learning, innovation, and how it relates to compliance within each jurisdiction. I am honored to serve the members of the Minnesota Automatic Fire Alarm association membership."

Company:Viking Automatic Sprinkler Co.

Term:2024 - 2026

Email:Robert.Johnson@vikingsprinkler.us

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Benefits of becoming an MNAFAA member.

As a member you will have a voice in how our industry innovates and responds new technologies and code compliance.

Influence codes and Standards making building safer
Assist in education of all levels if industry and AHJs to properly apply, install, use and maintain automatic fire alarm systems.
Provide a communication network to quickly and accurately identify industry problems, changes, & solutions. Exchanging ideas, information, and orgainizing corrective programs.
Promote technical competence of industry through PLT, NICET certification and continuing education.
Promote the level of our industry in meeting the public needs for fire and life safety systems in Minnesota.

Our success, echoed by our members

Review member and visitor testimonials of their experience.

As a member of MN AFFA I have been able to create a network of peers in the Fire Alarm Industry. This connection comes is helpful and even necessary sometimes to help navigate some of the challenges of code compliance and interpretation. I would also say that the meetings topics are on point with upcoming trends and challenges as Fire Protection evolves and code compliance changes.

Sunshine Mitlyng Service Manager - Ahern Fire Protection Twin Cities

Attending MN AFAA has been a game-changer for me. The supportive community and expert instructors have not only helped me improve my skills but also boosted my confidence in many ways. The variety of classes and workshops keeps me excited and motivated to learn more each month. I've also made some amazing friends and connections that have enriched my professional life.

Kelly Kramer CSM, MN - Smart Infrastructure