The International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) is the oldest known association of its kind in the world, dating back to 1896. Today IMSA certifies 24,000+ technicians and stands as the most regarded name in public safety.

1896

IMSA is the oldest known association of its kind in the world. It dates back to October 1896, when a group of municipal signal men from several east coast cities met in Brooklyn, New York and organized an association called the “International Association of Fire and Police Telegraph Superintendents.” Records indicate that committees were appointed to develop and submit technical papers on pertinent subjects at annual meetings.

1900

The organization changed its name to the “International Association of Municipal Electricians” (I.A.M.E.). This name remained for the next 35 years.

1901

Thomas A. Edison and the Edison Electric Company were associate members in 1901. During that year the association members began developing standards and specifications for wire, cable, fire alarm boxes and even the size of manhole covers. Association members were also instrumental in the founding of the Underwriters Laboratory and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (N.E.M.A.) during this era.

1913

On August 31, 1913 in Watertown, New York, the very famous Charles Proteus Steinmetz was nominated and elected First Vice-President of the I.A.M.E. 

1921

A group of six signal superintendents from Connecticut decided to organize and meet frequently to discuss mutual problems. They called themselves the “Eastern Association of Superintendents of Fire and Police Telegraph. Attendance at meetings and membership increased as signal workers from New York, New Jersey and other New England States joined the organization. In the 1920’s the name was changed to the “New England Municipal Signal Association.”

1930s

At about this time, some of the more distant members of the New England Association and other signal men formed groups of their own such as the New Jersey Signal Association, the New York State Municipal Signal Association, the Northwest Municipal Signal Association, and the Southern New York Municipal Signal Association. In the early 1930’s these groups formed the “Associated Municipal Signal Services” (A.M.S.S.), but each group retained its individual identity and continued to conduct its own meetings.

1934

The association started publishing the “A.M.S.S. Journal,” which was sent free to all members.  The Journal contained reprints of the papers presented at the various association meetings plus other items of technical interest to the members.

1935

At its October 1935 Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia, I.A.M.E. approved a new constitution and by-laws and changed the organization name to “National Municipal Signal Association” “N.M.S.A.). The chief officer of each of the independent member associations was named to the Board of Directors. These Directors were instructed to return to their individual associations for a membership vote on becoming a chartered Chapter of the N.M.S.A. A Headquarters Chapter was also formed for those members who resided outside of the boundaries of all of the other chapters.

1937

In September 1937, the organization’s name was officially changed to the “International Municipal Signal Association” (IMSA).

1978

The first IMSA National School was conducted in conjunction with the Annual Conference.