The New York Fire Alarm Association (nyFAA) celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of fire and life safety across New York City.

Founded in 2004 as a non-profit organization, nyFAA represents a diverse community of professionals in the fire alarm, emergency systems, and life safety industries, including engineers, electrical contractors, fire alarm contractors, manufacturers, and local Fire Department of New York (FDNY) officials.

The association held a gala dinner on January 23, 2025, at Giando on The Water in Brooklyn, N.Y.  The evening featured FDNY Chief of Department, John Esposito, who delivered the keynote address, highlighting the critical role of collaboration between the nyFAA and FDNY in enhancing life safety and emergency response in the city. In addition, Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro of Nassau County presented the nyFAA with a Congratulatory Citation from Nassau County, recognizing the association’s long-standing contribution to fire safety.

Many of the nyFAA past presidents were in attendance to celebrate the milestone from its humble beginnings in a “basement of an office building in Queens.” Some of those individuals were John DiStefano, Stu Gilbert, Kenny Gould, Charles Joyce, P.E., Patty Palacios, Tom Papa, Ron Petrarca, Joe Razza, P.E., Jeff Siegel, and Zygmunt ”Ziggy” Staszewski. Staszewski as one of the initial founders of the association, regaled the guests with stories of passionate people coming together and spending countless hours of their time to create an association that would benefit the industry and protect lives.