Giving back and helping shape tomorrow’s security industry

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine—Norris Inc. found a way to give back to the security industry and attract new top-notch talent. Norris COO Craig Elkanich recently jumped at the chance to help the community, foster quality education and practice good stewardship.

Southern Maine Community College offers degree and certificate programs in Electrical Engineering Technologies, Electrician Technologies, Computer Science, Information Technology, Fire Science and Cyber Security, among many others (a full list can be found here). The school recently developed a new low voltage lab to help teach students about fire alarm wiring and installation.

Area instructor reaches out to security industry for help.

Zach Stoler teaches Electrical Engineering at SMCC.

“We are assembling a fire alarm systems demonstration wall this semester for the first time,” said SMCC Electrical Engineering Department instructor Zach Stoler. “Students will use it to learn how these systems work. We have a few conventional systems, but currently no addressable systems.”

Elkanich says he received an inquiry from Stoler via the Norris Inc. online submission form and knew just how to help.

“I was able to grab an addressable panel with a few devices that we can donate,” Elkanich said. The two recently met on SMCC’s beautiful Spring Point campus.

Stoler said that beyond the equipment donation, he would welcome an ongoing relationship. Stoler asked if there was anyone on staff who could talk with his class.

Helping out where help is needed

Elkanich said Norris would love the opportunity to get in front of fresh minds and teach a little about life-safety and security. I recently took part in an event with a similar focus when I spoke on a panel at Thomas College.

Norris donated a Fire-Lite 9200, also known as a Fire Warden panel. Elkanich was also able to put his hands on some horn strobes and a dialer.

“A lot of people don’t realize that in the electrical world, there’s more to being an electrician than just pulling the big cable for the 120-volt service,” said Elkanich. “We’d like to explain to a class some of the workings of this industry and the other opportunities that are out there.”

Norris COO Elkanich helps out local community college

Norris Inc. COO practices good stewardship of the security industry

Elkanich suggested that Norris also set up a hands-on lab class. Norris techs could come in and work with students to complete some life-safety or security project on campus. Stoler liked the idea and said that he would do some homework.

Forming ties for ongoing community enrichment

Stoler said Norris’ donated time and materials were key in helping steer his students on to more options.

“We want our electricians leaving this program more well-equipped to go out into the industry,” Stoler said. “I find that my students tend to learn the best when they’re engaged and using their hands to get a better idea of what they’re learning.”

Elkanich promised the relationship would be open and ongoing.

“We’re right down the road from you so we’d love to help out,” Elkanich said. “If you guys have ideas, we’re glad to listen.”

SMCC is Maine’s largest, oldest and most diverse community college with nearly 6,000 students, over 40 degree programs, two campuses and seven satellite locations, according to their website.

Norris, Inc.—a South Portland, Maine, based life-safety and security systems integrator with satellite offices in Bangor, Maine; Lee, New Hampshire; and Burlington, Vermont—was founded nearly 40 years ago by two brothers, Brad and Harty Norris. The brothers remain on the board of directors today and continue to help steer the enterprise toward its goal of advancing security, life safety and communications while striving to grow in its status as Northern New England’s leading systems integrator.