Membership
NAFED members are dedicated to raising the standards of the fire equipment industry through cooperative efforts with other distributors and manufacturers in the areas of education, legislation, and professional service for the benefit of the general public in all aspects of fire prevention and protection.
Because members acknowledge the responsibility inherent in the sale and maintenance of fire protection equipment and service, and because they pledge to perform work and serve customers with the highest degree of honesty, skill, and integrity that such responsibility infers, NAFED members continually raise the bar.
If your company is engaged in selling, distributing, and servicing fire equipment, please review the portfolio of member benefits that NAFED has to offer. We've designed our benefits to speak to the needs of fire equipment companies and by joining, you'll have access to technical support, regulatory and industry news alerts, and a helpful community of other companies like yours.
If you have any questions about membership, please don't hesitate to contact our membership department.
Because members acknowledge the responsibility inherent in the sale and maintenance of fire protection equipment and service, and because they pledge to perform work and serve customers with the highest degree of honesty, skill, and integrity that such responsibility infers, NAFED members continually raise the bar.
If your company is engaged in selling, distributing, and servicing fire equipment, please review the portfolio of member benefits that NAFED has to offer. We've designed our benefits to speak to the needs of fire equipment companies and by joining, you'll have access to technical support, regulatory and industry news alerts, and a helpful community of other companies like yours.
If you have any questions about membership, please don't hesitate to contact our membership department.
Membership Types
Before you start your application, make sure to determine which membership level is right for you.
1) Distributor
For companies engaged in selling, distributing, and servicing fire equipment.
Annual dues: $395. Criteria for Distributor Membership
2) Supplier
For companies that supply fire safety products or services to distributor members or other supplier members.
Annual dues: $550. Criteria for Supplier Membership
To be eligible for supplier membership, the applicant (firm or company) shall not be eligible for distributor membership.
3) Affiliate
For non-profit organizations, associations, academic institutions, and professionals having an interest or affiliation in fire protection.
Annual dues: $395. Criteria for Affiliate Membership
To be eligible for affiliate membership, applicants shall not be eligible for distributor or supplier membership.
1) Distributor
For companies engaged in selling, distributing, and servicing fire equipment.
Annual dues: $395. Criteria for Distributor Membership
- Must be actively engaged in the selling, distribution, and servicing of portable extinguishers or fire suppression systems other than water.
- Shall not be owned or controlled by, or have as their principal manager or operator, any full or part time member or employee of a regulatory agency whose responsibility is in code enforcement.
- Shall have personnel technically qualified as well as the necessary equipment to distribute and service fire extinguishers, safety equipment, fire protection systems, and related equipment. The appropriate personnel of the firm or company shall be licensed by any governmental agency within whose jurisdiction the applicant operates if such licensing is required.
2) Supplier
For companies that supply fire safety products or services to distributor members or other supplier members.
Annual dues: $550. Criteria for Supplier Membership
To be eligible for supplier membership, the applicant (firm or company) shall not be eligible for distributor membership.
- Applicants shall provide products or services to distributor or supplier members of the association and shall rise to the principles and aims of the association and desire to support and further those aims.
- Supplier members are non-voting members of the association.
3) Affiliate
For non-profit organizations, associations, academic institutions, and professionals having an interest or affiliation in fire protection.
Annual dues: $395. Criteria for Affiliate Membership
To be eligible for affiliate membership, applicants shall not be eligible for distributor or supplier membership.
- Applicants may include non-profit organizations, associations, academic institutions, governmental agencies, and professionals (individuals or companies) with an interest or affiliation in fire protection.
- Affiliate members are not permitted to vote or hold office in the association, but may receive some association mailings as authorized by the board of directors.
Membership Benefits
Technical Assistance
Members have access to NAFED’s full-time technical director, who answers technical questions and provides information on current codes and regulations, as well as regulatory and legislative issues.
Conferences & Expos
Every year, we work hard to put on regional conferences that provide sessions addressing the vital technical issues and trends affecting portables and systems, current code and regulatory concerns, and business management topics that matter. In addition, the expo at each conference location gives members an opportunity to meet face-to-face with key industry suppliers, and network with industry and association peers. Many members consider these industry-specific events to be one of the best ways to get the most out of NAFED membership. Members qualify for significant discounts. Visit our event page for information on upcoming events.
Training
To give guidance and information to fire equipment distributor company owners and managers, the association strives to offer the training fire equipment distributors need. Members qualify for significant discounts. Keep an eye on our event page for information on upcoming trainings.
Certification
We offer a national certification program for portable and pre-engineered system technicians. Gaining NAFED certification definitively measures a technician’s knowledge of and familiarity with relevant NFPA codes, which encourages competence and professionalism and communicates it to customers. Certification is an invaluable tool for any company.
Logo
Members may use the association’s logo on marketing pieces, letterhead, business cards, company websites, tags, labels, and anywhere else to demonstrate the commitment to professionalism and competence for which NAFED stands.
Chem-Tel
Chem-Tel's 24-hour Emergency Response Telecommunication & MSDS Management Services afford members compliance with both DOT and OSHA requirements. Through a partnership with Chem-Tel, we've secured special savings on these services for members—members can save over 30%* on first-year subscriptions and more than 60%* on subsequent-year renewal rates for the compliance, protection, and peace of mind offered by this service. This markdown alone could cover the cost of membership.
* as compared to regular Chem-Tel subscription prices
YRC Shipping Program
Lower costs and increase margins when you ship with YRC. As a benefit of NAFED membership, members receive a 70% discount on qualifying less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. YRC offers flexible, efficient solutions, including comprehensive regional and national coverage with a full suite of guaranteed, expedited, and specialized services.
Publications
NAFED members receive the association’s quarterly magazine Firewatch!, the definitive source for fire equipment distributors, which provides pertinent and timely product, industry, business, and technical information. Through this publication, electronic newsletters, and important alerts, members are able to stay on top of constantly changing DOT and HazMat requirements, keep up on the latest industry trends, and find out about local training and events. All members also receive an annual Products & Services Buyer’s Guide, a handy resource that catalogs the valuable products and services offered by NAFED supplier members.
Tags & Labels
NAFED uses the buying power of a large number of fire equipment distributors to offer competitive pricing on blank or custom tags and labels, including recharge tags, six-year maintenance labels, combination labels, hydrostatic test labels, verification-of-service collars, HazMat labels, and more. Members get special discounts on many items. Visit our online store to purchase products.
Products & Services
In addition to tags and labels, we offer technical literature and videos/DVDs intended for end-user educational and marketing purposes, training videos/DVDs, and much more. Member discounts are offered on many items! Visit our online store to order.
Members-Only Online Resources
NAFED members have access to selected articles and association publications, complete membership directory information, downloadable logo artwork to use on marketing materials, technical FAQs, and much more when they log on to the NAFED website.
Affiliation With Peer Organizations
To keep members abreast of changes that may affect their businesses, we maintain affiliations with the following organizations:
Members have access to NAFED’s full-time technical director, who answers technical questions and provides information on current codes and regulations, as well as regulatory and legislative issues.
Conferences & Expos
Every year, we work hard to put on regional conferences that provide sessions addressing the vital technical issues and trends affecting portables and systems, current code and regulatory concerns, and business management topics that matter. In addition, the expo at each conference location gives members an opportunity to meet face-to-face with key industry suppliers, and network with industry and association peers. Many members consider these industry-specific events to be one of the best ways to get the most out of NAFED membership. Members qualify for significant discounts. Visit our event page for information on upcoming events.
Training
To give guidance and information to fire equipment distributor company owners and managers, the association strives to offer the training fire equipment distributors need. Members qualify for significant discounts. Keep an eye on our event page for information on upcoming trainings.
Certification
We offer a national certification program for portable and pre-engineered system technicians. Gaining NAFED certification definitively measures a technician’s knowledge of and familiarity with relevant NFPA codes, which encourages competence and professionalism and communicates it to customers. Certification is an invaluable tool for any company.
Logo
Members may use the association’s logo on marketing pieces, letterhead, business cards, company websites, tags, labels, and anywhere else to demonstrate the commitment to professionalism and competence for which NAFED stands.
Chem-Tel
Chem-Tel's 24-hour Emergency Response Telecommunication & MSDS Management Services afford members compliance with both DOT and OSHA requirements. Through a partnership with Chem-Tel, we've secured special savings on these services for members—members can save over 30%* on first-year subscriptions and more than 60%* on subsequent-year renewal rates for the compliance, protection, and peace of mind offered by this service. This markdown alone could cover the cost of membership.
* as compared to regular Chem-Tel subscription prices
YRC Shipping Program
Lower costs and increase margins when you ship with YRC. As a benefit of NAFED membership, members receive a 70% discount on qualifying less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. YRC offers flexible, efficient solutions, including comprehensive regional and national coverage with a full suite of guaranteed, expedited, and specialized services.
Publications
NAFED members receive the association’s quarterly magazine Firewatch!, the definitive source for fire equipment distributors, which provides pertinent and timely product, industry, business, and technical information. Through this publication, electronic newsletters, and important alerts, members are able to stay on top of constantly changing DOT and HazMat requirements, keep up on the latest industry trends, and find out about local training and events. All members also receive an annual Products & Services Buyer’s Guide, a handy resource that catalogs the valuable products and services offered by NAFED supplier members.
Tags & Labels
NAFED uses the buying power of a large number of fire equipment distributors to offer competitive pricing on blank or custom tags and labels, including recharge tags, six-year maintenance labels, combination labels, hydrostatic test labels, verification-of-service collars, HazMat labels, and more. Members get special discounts on many items. Visit our online store to purchase products.
Products & Services
In addition to tags and labels, we offer technical literature and videos/DVDs intended for end-user educational and marketing purposes, training videos/DVDs, and much more. Member discounts are offered on many items! Visit our online store to order.
Members-Only Online Resources
NAFED members have access to selected articles and association publications, complete membership directory information, downloadable logo artwork to use on marketing materials, technical FAQs, and much more when they log on to the NAFED website.
Affiliation With Peer Organizations
To keep members abreast of changes that may affect their businesses, we maintain affiliations with the following organizations:
