KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ
ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE
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Are you PPP funded / Comments on Nicet
May 8, 2020
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Are you PPP funded
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          The Paycheck Protection Program included in the Covid-19 Stimulus Package will be out of funds by the time this article is circulated.  Hopefully you applied and were funded.  As many of you know K&K promoted participation in the PPP and many of our clients signed up for our Flat Rate services.  We quickly offered information on our website: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/coronavirus
and we laid out our program: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/article/pdf/005941-kk-cares-ppp-flat-fee-program.pdf
          At least 80% of our clients have were funded.  We broke our service down in two phases.  Phase One was pre-funding services.  Though we didn’t act as brokers for lenders we did provide advice regarding the funding process and we did make some strategic suggestions for selecting participating lenders.  Phase One is over.
          Phase Two involves the use of the PPP funds.  K&K services for Phase Two includes the disbursement of the funds, record keeping, monitoring the disbursements, and, once the loan forgiveness procedures are available, assisting in the loan forgiveness process.  
          Make no mistake about it, loan forgiveness is going to be the real challenge.  Misuse of the PPP funds can not only result in no forgiveness, but potential for criminal prosecution for obtaining the PPP funds and not using them properly.  From the many questions we received, and continue to receive daily, it’s apparent that the rules for the PPP are less than clear, and worse, seem to be the subject of misinterpretation.  To make matters more tenuous, the rules seem fluid enough to be changing.  We know that the government has set aside funds for follow up audit, investigation and prosecution to recoup PPP funds and penalize those who “gamed” the system.  
          We are now in the PPP period that counts, May 1 through June 30, 2020.  Alarm owners should not be trying to navigate this process on their own.  Company bookkeepers, comptrollers and CFOs don’t likely have the time to master the process.  In fact, several of our clients declined to apply for or accept PPP funds on advice of their accountants.  I suppose they had their reasons, but I can’t figure out if they were justified.  
          If you have been PPP funded you still have time to sign up for Phase Two of K&K’s services regarding the PPP forgiveness process.  To participate in Phase Two of K&K's Covid-19 CARES ACT Application Assistance Program contact Stacy Spector, Esq. by email at SSpector@Kirschenbaumesq.com or by phone at 516-747-6700 x. 304.  If interested I urge you to act now.  We won’t be able to accept additional clients for this program for much longer.  
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Comments on Nicet
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Ken: 
            Your note about Niced on May 5, 2020 vs. NICET was quite humorous. NICET certification is very good for anyone working in the fire alarm end of the business have. NICET level 1, which is what your writer in today's column had is nice but not worth much. The benefits start with NICET level 2. For instance, in NYC, in order to get an S-97 or S-98 card, having NICET level 2 or higher level results in the knowledge and experience needed for not having to take the FDNY provided test. It also looks good on a business card because it shows that you have knowledge of fire alarms for having passed a standard test.
I've included two links for more info on NICET certification. 
https://www.nicet.org/certification-programs/electrical-and-mechanical-systems/fire-alarm-systems/
 
https://www.afaa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51:frequently-asked-questions&catid=20:site-content
            Maybe the gentleman who wrote in can install "DYI" systems you promote instead of the DIY systems.  �� ��
  Hope all is well
name withheld on request
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Response
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            Geez, a few typos and you won’t let it go.  Thanks for the information on Nicet.  There are levels of competence in all professions, and in the fire alarm arena Nicet is recognized as the preeminent credentials.  If you’re going to do something you may as well try to do your best.  I know a few Nicet level IV and they are definitely a step ahead of the crowd.  So don’t give up educating yourself and seeking the recognition that the Nicet levels offer.  
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Another Nicet comment
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Ken
          No Bueno, in addition to checking spelling, may wish to look further into the NICET level requirement.  Level 1 does not need a verifier (unless NICET asks for proof), and further verification can be from anyone familiar with his/her work.  Surely he/she knows someone in the business after 10-20 years?  Or simply ask the last AHJ to review one of their projects to attest the points based on that project.  This should be an easy hurdle to cross.
          Oh and they certify individuals not companies.
Tom in WA
NICET III
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Reaching K&K during the lock down
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     During this crisis the most efficient way to reach our attorneys is via email.  You can also call and if not picked up, leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.
    Here are a few departments to contact directly:
alarm / security / pers / fire department:  Ken - Ken@Kirschenbaumesq.com or call and leave a message with return number at 516 747 6700 x 301
health care professionals:  Jennifer Kirschenbaum,Esq 516 747 6700 x 302; jennifer@kirschenbaumesq.com
Alarm contracts:
  Eileen Wagda 516 747 6700 x 312​
Alarm licensing:  Alison Gallub,Esq 516 747 6700 x 317  AGallub@Kirschenbaumesq.com; or Eileen Wagda, Licensing Administrator, 516 747 6700 x 312  EWagda@Kirschenbaumesq.com
Employment issues:  Kieran Bastible 516 747 6700 x 315  kbastible@kirschenbaumesq.com; or Jennifer Kirschenbaum,Esq
Concierge Alarm Clients have full access through our Concierge Program Coordinator, Stacy Spector, Esq  516 747 6700 x 304 or SSpector@Kirschenbaumesq.com 
Collections:  [courts are shut down at this time, so don't expect much progress.  We will however continue to prepare papers on our end so that we will be ready when the courts normalize]  Kathleen Lampert  516 747 6700 x 319  KLampert@Kirschenbaumesq.com
Pending litigation:  Caroline Wallet,Esq  CWallett@Kirschenbaumesq.com  516 747 6700 x 305 and Maureen Biel,Esq 516 747 6700 x 303  MBeil@Kirschenbaumesq,com
Bankruptcy and debt collection issues:  Steve Sheinwald,Esq  516 747 6700 x 309 SSheinwald@Kirschenbaumesq.com or Scott Dillon,Esq  516 747 6700 x 318

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To order up to date Standard Form Alarm /  Security / Fire and related Agreements, click here:  www.alarmcontracts.com
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CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY
You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304.
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NOTICE:  You can always read our Articles on our website at ww.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles
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Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq
Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Attorneys at Law
200 Garden City Plaza
Garden City, NY 11530
516 747 6700 x 301
ken@kirschenbaumesq.com
www.KirschenbaumEsq.com