Safer Buildings Coalition

What Safer Buildings Coalition does

Safer Buildings Coalition (SBC) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership association founded in 2012 and headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, focused on eliminating wireless "dead zones" inside buildings for public safety communications. Its operational scope covers Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES), commercial cellular (LTE/5G), Land Mobile Radio (LMR), Private LTE, location services, wireless panic alerts, and school safety technology. SBC serves a diversified stakeholder base including fire/EMS/law enforcement agencies, K-12 schools, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), building owners, and in-building wireless industry participants (service providers, manufacturers, distributors, and system integrators).

SBC's core offerings include the Complete ERCES Handbook (4,000+ copies in circulation, serving as the official study guide for NICET IB-PSC certification), a National Seminar Program running 21 programs in 2026 across the United States and Canada (with CEUs accepted by NICET, ETA International, APCO, ICC, and BICSI), and an in-development Credential Verification Platform targeted for 2026. The organization holds direct influence over industry standards through participation in NFPA Technical Committee 1225, co-sponsorship of IFC Proposal F76-24, and formal FCC proceedings (RM-12009 and PS Docket 07-114). It also operates four active work groups (Codes and Standards, Government Affairs, Member Advocacy, and School Safety), manages content resources including the Safe Inside podcast and video library, and supports a DOL-approved Apprenticeship Standard for In-Building Wireless Installation Technicians.

Revenue mechanics are anchored on membership dues from 150+ member companies (growing from 11 in 2017), supplemented by seminar fees ($195/seat for non-member industry attendees, free for members and public safety officials), ERCES Handbook sales, and content resources. Since 2017 SBC has invested approximately $4.8 million in educational programming, including over $4 million in seminars and roughly $750,000 in handbook development. The go-to-market is event- and community-led, combining in-person seminars, online resources, podcast/video content, newsletters, and industry-event participation across North America.

Name

Safer Buildings Coalition

Legal name

Safer Buildings Coalition

Website

https://saferbuildings.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Safer Buildings Coalition is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership association founded in 2012 that educates, trains, and advocates on in-building wireless coverage for public safety, serving fire/EMS/law enforcement, K-12 schools, AHJs, building owners, and wireless industry members across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Roseburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: 501(c)(4) non-profit association with membership program. Companies join as members to participate in seminars, access resources, and engage in work groups.
2. Seminar Fees: Seminars are primarily free for public safety officials and AHJs; non-member industry attendees pay $195 per seat.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Safer Buildings Coalition is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership association that delivers education, training, and advocacy for in-building wireless public safety communications. Its core offerings include the Complete ERCES Handbook, a national seminar series (CEU-approved by NICET, ETA International, APCO, ICC, and BICSI), and the NICET IB-PSC four-level certification program co-developed with NICET. The Coalition also operates BDA and DAS directories, work groups on codes and standards, government affairs, member advocacy, and school safety, and pursues regulatory engagement with the FCC, NFPA, and ICC.

Product overview

The Safer Buildings Coalition is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership association offering a portfolio of educational products, credentials, and industry resources for in-building wireless and public safety communications. Core offerings include the Complete ERCES Handbook (comprehensive reference guide), NICET IB-PSC Certification Partnership (four-level professional credentialing), and National Seminar Program (CEU-accredited live training events including ERCES seminars and Wireless Tech Summit). Additional products include the in-development Credential Verification Platform, the School Mode proposal for cell phone emergency integration, BDA/DAS Directory, and content resources including the Safe Inside Podcast and Video Library. The organization operates through four active work groups (Codes and Standards, Government Affairs, Member Advocacy, and School Safety) and is supported by the SBC Content Development Committee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Complete ERCES Handbook Comprehensive reference guide for Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES), distributed as a paid publication serving wireless industry professionals, AHJs, and public safety personnel responsible for in-building coverage deployment.
• NICET IB-PSC Certification Program Four-level professional certification (Technician I-III and Design) for In-Building Public Safety Communications requiring supervisor-attested field experience ranging from six months to five years, jointly developed by SBC and NICET.
• National Seminar Program Live training events including ERCES seminars, School Safety Technology seminars, and the annual Wireless Tech and School Safety Summit, offering CEU credits accepted by NICET, ETA International, APCO, ICC, and BICSI.
• BDA and DAS Directories Online directory listings of Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) and Distributed Antenna System (DAS) providers, used by building owners, property managers, and AHJs to identify qualified in-building wireless solution providers.
• SBC Membership Program Recurring membership program for service providers, manufacturers, distributors, and system integrators in the in-building wireless ecosystem, providing access to work groups, technical resources, and community engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 52% of K-12 school buildings sampled had at least one floor that failed wireless coverage testing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SBC collaborated with NICET to develop and launch the In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC) certification program in 2021. Job task analysis was validated by 246 industry professionals. The Complete ERCES Handbook serves as the official study guide for IB-PSC certification examinations.
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBC stands alongside NFPA on safety code advocacy, including NFPA's 'Safety Under Assault' series and 'Don't Chance Safety' campaign. SBC Managing Director John Foley serves on NFPA Technical Committee 1225 for Emergency Services Radio Communication Systems and Facilities.
• NASFM (National Association of State Fire Marshals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASFM has formally adopted a position opposing legislative action that bypasses the national consensus code development process. Joint fact sheet with NFPA co-signed by SBC addressing Indiana legislation.
• ICC (International Code Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBC participates in code development including co-sponsoring IFC Proposal F76-24 to remove GROL requirement from ERCES personnel qualifications. SBC seminars accept CEUs from ICC.
• DHS/CISA (Department of Homeland Security / Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHS/CISA has formally documented that uncoordinated Bi-Directional Amplifiers are causing harmful interference potentially placing first responders in jeopardy. SBC works with CISA's Bi-Directional Amplifier Focus Group.
• Make Our Schools SafemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBC continues to support Alyssa's Law alongside Make Our Schools Safe, founded by Lori Alhadeff (mother of Alyssa Alhadeff). Joint advocacy for school safety technology requirements.
• AT&T and FirstNetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBC works with AT&T and FirstNet on in-building broadband communications initiatives, supporting public safety broadband inside buildings.
• FCC (Federal Communications Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBC is actively engaged with FCC on two open proceedings: Part 90 signal booster petition (RM-12009) and Wireless E911 Location Accuracy NPRM (PS Docket No. 07-114). FCC issued Public Notice DA 25-853 opening the signal booster petition for public comment.
• APCO InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPCO has confirmed that improperly deployed signal boosters are causing harmful interference to public safety networks. SBC seminars accept CEUs from APCO. Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials.
• BICSIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBC seminars accept CEUs from BICSI for continuing education. BICSI provides information and communications technology (ICT) training and credentials.
• ETA InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBC seminars accept CEUs from ETA International. ETA offers ERCES-related certifications accredited by International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC).
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAFC's Brandon Allen (Manager of Government Relations) joined SBC's Government Relations Workgroup. IAFC Communications Committee staff liaison relationship.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ICC (International Code Council): Develops model building codes used widely across U.S. jurisdictions, including the International Fire Code. SBC co-sponsors IFC proposals (F76-24) and accepts ICC CEUs. ICC is the regulatory-code authority while SBC is the advocacy/content arm focused specifically on in-building wireless within those codes.
• BICSI: Global professional association for ICT infrastructure, cabling, and building technology. SBC seminars accept BICSI CEUs. BICSI provides credentials and training comparable to NICET IB-PSC but across the broader ICT installer/designer workforce.
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association): The preeminent U.S. fire and electrical safety standards organization. NFPA is a core SBC partner (joint advocacy on code development, NFPA Technical Committee 1225), but operates far more broadly across all fire/life-safety codes. Directly comparable in mission to develop and maintain consensus safety standards.
• NASFM (National Association of State Fire Marshals): Represents state fire marshals who enforce codes and standards. NASFM co-signed a joint fact sheet with NFPA and SBC opposing Indiana legislation. Operates as a public-safety regulator constituency rather than a member-funded association.
• APCO International: Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials — the largest professional association for public safety communications professionals. APCO accepts CEUs from SBC seminars and shares overlap on E911 and ERCES topics, but serves a much broader public-safety-comms membership rather than specializing in in-building wireless.
• TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association): Trade association representing global ICT manufacturers and vendors. TIA develops standards for telecommunications infrastructure overlapping with SBC's in-building wireless scope, but operates as a much larger industry-wide body rather than an in-building specialist.
• IAFC (International Association of Fire Chiefs): Represents fire service leadership globally. IAFC's Brandon Allen joined SBC's Government Relations Workgroup, evidencing close collaboration. Operates across all fire-chief functions while SBC focuses on the in-building communications slice of the chief's portfolio.

Regional players

• PSCE (Public Safety Communication Europe): European counterpart organization focused on public safety communications. Provides a regional parallel to SBC's mission but operates in a different regulatory environment (EU/CEPT) and does not directly compete with SBC's North American focus.

Direct peers

• ETA International: Electronics Technicians Association — issues certifications including ERCES-related credentials accredited by ICAC. ETA accepts CEUs from SBC seminars. Most direct comp on the credentialing side for in-building wireless technicians.

Emerging players

• Enterprise Wireless Alliance: Advocates for enterprise wireless users and license holders, including spectrum policy. Adjacent to SBC's spectrum/Part 90 advocacy work but focused on spectrum rights rather than in-building deployment — a thematic peer rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SaferBuildings
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPPGzQB-A4mKqppo381i-tg
• Facebookfacebook.com/1200258563333742
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5108088

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safer Buildings Coalition