On January 23, integrators, manufacturers, and the rest of the security industry celebrated the third annual National Security Technician Day.
The event was created by the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) in collaboration with the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) in 2023 to honor the essential contributions of security technicians.
"At the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST), we know how important technicians are to the security industry," FAST Chair Kerri Southerland says.
Integrators and manufacturers participated in and sponsored special breakfasts, parties, and other events to recognize and thank their technicians. Here are some comments from FAST's live multicast of these events:
Kevin Stone (COO of Doyle Security Systems and current ESA Chairman): "Just recognizing technicians is such a tremendous idea, and I'm really glad that it came to fruition. Special shout out to our team across 10 branches in New York State and Pennsylvania. We hosted breakfast for all them and got them a small gift as a token of our appreciation for all the hard work that they do. On behalf of ESA, we're very thankful for all that you do. It's a great industry, and without the technicians, it wouldn't be what it is today."
Jeremy Bates (President of Bates Security, a Pye-Barker company): Technicians are so important to our business, and this is a special day for us, but we are constantly recognizing them and their projects throughout the year. In our five branches, we have an employee of the year for every branch, and it just so happens that in 2024, every branch selected a technician as their employee of the year. We're very thankful for what they do for our business."
Julaine Simmons (SVP of MC Dean): "I think it's really important to recognize the role our technicians play in implementing and maintaining our solutions for our end-users. The mission of security is something that we all feel very strongly about here at MC Dean, and I think it's a really important value that we bring to our customers."
Ben Conway (Consultant with Force Security Solutions, a Konica Minolta company): "Ken [Kocher], our founder and owner, wanted me to pass along that we need to push for this to be a national holiday moving into next year - that way, people actually get the day off."
Ryan Kaltenbaugh (LenelS2): "I've been honored, honestly, to see the success that National Security Technician Day has been over the last three years - not only in the United States but around the globe. We have friends and colleagues - hard-working women and men who represent all of us and our customers and instill the work ethic that is so critical to [meeting] our customers' needs."
Merlin Guilbeau (CEO of ESA): "ESA is honored to be a co-founder with SIA on this great project, and we love the work that's happening for the betterment of the workforce in our industry. We look forward to continuing this initiative throughout the years ahead."
Geoff Kohl (Senior Director of Marketing for SIA): "On behalf of SIA, to all our members who are celebrating this day, thank you for recognizing the heroic work of security technicians across our country."
