As we continue down the path to new certifications, 16 IMSA Sections joined Robin Heriff of Change by Design, board members and staff for a Section Leadership Update on Sept. 21. The interactive format allowed Robin and IMSA leadership to provide up to the minute updates and solicit input while giving our section leaders the opportunity to ask questions.

On the exam creation side, we are currently in the “Item Writing” stage where our subject matter experts are reviewing and building the initial test questions for the five certifications we plan to release first. Frankly, it has been more challenging than we’d hoped because many of our experts are volunteers who have limited time and lives away from IMSA. So, recognizing that we have a hard deadline to complete this stage, we’re planning to fly a dozen plus experts into Orlando on Oct. 11 to work exclusively on this project. We are already soliciting reviewers to gather immediately after to look at the questions for relevance, accuracy and language. That’s the light at the end of the tunnel moment because after the reviews are complete for all five disciplines, we will enter the questions into the Learning Management System to give us a chance to thoroughly beta-test and adjust them before launching the new exams.

Your IMSA membership is an investment in your professional development. Whether you are new to IMSA or have been part of the organization for many years we encourage you to renew your membership before it expires in 2022. Membership means you have access to numerous benefits including certification programs, networking opportunities with others in your industry, course discounts, industry-specific communications and much more. Watch your inbox for more information.  Renewals begin early November.

Don’t forget! If you need manuals for old certifications, please plan to order them before October 24. After that you’ll need to contact the international office for orders. All sales stop on October 30 because the last day to use existing courses is October 31! To order, visit the IMSA Manual Store or contact Travis Furst.

To establish your company as a subject matter expert or to promote specific products to the public safety industry, please contact Heather McMillen or call 352-900-3011.

IMSA's job board helps find your next position by displaying industry specific job openings. Or, if you are ready to post an open position, let our broad scope of industry professionals know you are hiring.

Become a sponsor of an IMSA Monthly webinar and have the opportunity to connect with our members, certificate holders and industry collaborators. We are looking for sessions that would meet our CEC requirements. Learn more.

Each IMSA Section has their own leadership team as well as the International Committees and Representatives. Please email Laura Jeffcoat Sosa at [email protected] and indicate if you are interested in serving on the Section or International level. Click here for more information about how to get involved https://www.imsasafety.org/membership-volunteer/

Looking to advertise before the end of the year? Reserve your space in the Nov/Dec issue of the IMSA Journal. The public safety industry is an essential workforce, and constantly purchasing products and services for their day-to-day operations. We have a variety of advertising and exposure opportunities to get you noticed by our 9,500+ members. Plan and reserve your spot by emailing Bill Spilman. Learn more from our media kit.

Read the IMSA Journal Online

A reminder that IMSA members can enjoy the electronic edition of the Journal with clickable links. Want access? Sign in.

Prefer not to receive the print version? Opt-out in your profile online or by contacting Hayley Marlow.

Securing Unmanned Infrastructure at the Network Edge

Our country’s unmanned infrastructure systems include hundreds of thousands of enclosures that hold intelligent devices and network entry points. Most are secured with generic physical keys that can easily be copied and obsolete mechanical locks without any reporting capabilities. Learn how you can protect these devices against malicious physical and cyber-attacks. Here's how.

The HES® 630REL Enclosure Lock delivers real-time access and monitoring for secure traffic cabinet doors used in unmanned infrastructure. It provides managers greater flexibility and control to track and manage who is accessing their enclosures. Designed to be a direct replacement for traditional CR2 mechanical locking solutions, the HES 630REL comes standard with integrated locked state monitoring and key override. It is for use with most enclosures controlled by a cam-activated three-point latching mechanism and is surface-mounted easily with minimal tools. This fail-secure lock is hard powered by 24 VDC and integrates with existing electronic access control systems. Learn more. 

Be sure to visit IMSAsafety.org to view to see the latest news from IMSA’s Sustaining Member companies, located at the end of the home page.

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