The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global nonprofit organization established in 1896 that is devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. Membership totals more than 50,000 individuals around the world.
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers was established in 1950 to define, develop, and advance the use of engineering best practices; expand the scientific and technical knowledge base; and educate the global fire safety community to reduce fire risk. The Society has over 4,500 members, 73 regional and local chapters, and 16 student chapters worldwide.
ASCET (American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians)
Founded as a nonprofit, international association in Dallas, Texas, in 1981, the American Fire Sprinkler Association acts as a liaison with other national associations involved in fire safety. Working together with government agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Fire Protection Association, the Residential Fire Safety Institute, and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, AFSA helps to create an awareness on the dangers of fire.
FFSA (Florida Fire Sprinkler Association)
The Florida Fire Marshals & Inspectors Association serves as a central agency for the gathering and exchange of technical information in the fields of fire prevention, fire investigation, and injury prevention. Public education enhances safety awareness through the enforcement of fire codes.
Associated Builders and Contractors provides construction firms with legislative advocacy, apprenticeship training, management education, safety training, and business development. The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter is comprised of more than 400 member companies, and statewide, membership totals over 2,500.
The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange advocacy efforts on behalf of the building industry are conducted in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. Wholly owned by the membership, the Builders Exchange is a not-for-profit corporation operating under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors as representatives of the industry.
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce, located in Bradenton, Florida, provides education and networking opportunities, job employment assistance, and small business start-up counseling while working on community issues such as legislation, water, transportation, and general quality of life.
When founded in 1981, AFCOM was titled the “Association for Computer Operations Management.” Since then, it has expanded beyond its original focus into an organization that serves individuals and organizations that design, build, operate, support, and manage Data Centers and IT Infrastructure around the world with industry leading insights, education, tools, and professional networking.