Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
What’s in a name? “That which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet.” Okay, so I’m not writing about Shakespeare; however, I am writing about a recurring challenge we encounter at AFSA; AFSA profiles! Whether you are an AFSA member or not, anyone can create and maintain an AFSA profile. No special invitation required. Similar to the episode of “Oprah” where everyone received a car (I’m not giving out cars!), everyone gets a profile!
What’s in a profile? It’s more than just your name, and it’s more than just an account. Your AFSA profile serves as a centralized hub for tracking Continuing Education Units (CEUs), professional credentials, AFSA involvement, and employment history, and monitors your professional growth. Your AFSA profile automatically tracks CEUs earned through AFSA training, seminars, webinars, and events. This makes it easy to verify your education history when renewing licenses, meeting compliance requirements, or advancing your career.
With a few clicks, you can access a clear summary of your completed courses, credits earned, and progress toward continuing education goals. This level of organization not only saves time but also ensures accuracy when reporting your credentials.
Your AFSA profile is unique to you. Whether you change companies, relocate, or take on new roles, your profile remains constant. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your information up to date. Updating your employer, contact details, or even your name ensures our records remain accurate and you stay connected to relevant training opportunities and local chapter activities. You can also add your professional credentials or license number to your profile. Updated profiles are highly important for helping AFSA maintain proper records of CEUs and prevent gaps or discrepancies.
One common misconception is that only members can create an AFSA profile. Anyone can create a profile. However, if your company is an AFSA member, you are eligible for a wide range of benefits. Hopefully, you have taken advantage of them! Benefits include but are not limited to member-exclusive training and resources, technical advice, and member discounts. Many employees of members miss out on their AFSA benefits simply because they haven’t activated their individual profile.
Haven’t created your profile yet—or unsure whether one already exists? No problem! AFSA provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help you create or locate your profile. Simply scan the QR code below to get started.
If you’re uncertain whether your profile information is current, there’s no need to create a duplicate account. Instead, contact our Membership Department for personalized, hands-on assistance to review and update your existing profile.
Your AFSA profile doesn’t just track your past; it connects you to your future. It unlocks multiple opportunities while keeping track of what matters most to you. The bottom line is that your career is evolving every day. Your AFSA profile should be evolving with it. It should be accurate, complete, and ready to support whatever comes next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Meda Merritt, CAE, is vice president of membership and chapter development for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). In this role, she manages its overall membership recruitment and retention efforts, supports the development and growth of AFSA’s chapters and affiliated state associations, and works to increase the association’s visibility within the industry and to related industries. Merritt obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tulsa. She is a member of ASAE, and DFWAE, where she serves as chair of its IDEA Committee and a member of its Membership Committee. Merritt earned ASAE’s CAE certification in 2024 and was awarded DFWAE’s Wayne James Award for recruitment.