International Municipal Signal Association - IMSA's 114th Annual Conference & 32nd AnnualSchool 2011

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 the group met once a year thereafter and that committees were appointed which developed and submitted technical papers on pertinent subjects at these annual meetings.

The basic purpose of the organization was to keep its members and others in the profession, up-to-date on proper procedures of construction and maintenance of signal systems and informed on new products and equipment developments.

In 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.