Month: May 2020

FCC Modifies Rules on Licensing Interstitial 800 MHz Channels

Posted on by Shanna Evans

In December 2018, the FCC introduced rules identifying the licensing of interstitial channels in the 800 MHz frequency band. This ruling added 318 new channels to the mid-band portion of this spectrum. During this timeframe, the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) filed a petition requesting a modification to how interference is determined in filing for channels. The FCC has addressed this petition and released its Order of Reconsideration which we have summarized. The FCC will still need to publish a Public Notice identifying the release dates of the spectrum along with filing windows when frequency advisory committees can certify and submit to the FCC.

CLICK HERE for a summary of the ruling.  

Public Safety Communications

Public Safety users demand reliable, secure, and feature-rich radio communications. Whether it’s police, fire, EMS, or Emergency Management, these first responders rely on their radio systems for support and interoperability. Ross & Baruzzini in-house engineers and subject matter experts work directly with the end-users to conduct operational, physical, and technical analyses, leading to the optimal design for a public radio system, including dispatch centers, remote radio sites, and backhaul interconnectivity. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with regulatory and FCC support including licensing, acquisition, Special Temporary Authorization (STA), interference mitigation, and waiver development for systems governed by FCC’s Rules and Regulations.

Ivan Pagacik
Executive Consultant
Director of Communications Systems     
T:  +1  800.404.7677
C: +1  978.375.7914
E: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Ivan Pagacik		Ryan Felmlee
Subject Matter Expert
FCC regulatory activities
T:  +1  800.404.7677
C: +1  703.338.1704
E: [email protected]
 

David McGhee – Technology & Security Systems Expert

Posted on by Shanna Evans

David has over 30 years of experience, with over 25 years of experience working in Airports and other large campus environments within the United States, throughout the Americas, and internationally. David has extensive experience with facility operations including the planning and programming for Airport Operations Centers, Command Centers, Emergency Operations Centers, and Security Operational Centers. He has assisted airports client in all stages of security development and has worked in close coordination with many of the world’s leading airports to provide designs that will account for the next generation of screening technologies and innovation lanes. Clients prize his comprehensive experience in the changing world of security technology and his ability to work effectively in team environments and consistently get the job done right

David is well versed with physical and electronic security and ensures that the design and construction of security systems are in adherence to local, federal, and international security regulations. His specializations include airport security planning and design including ACS, CCTV/DVMS, DVA, IDMS, AVI, Screening Systems, PIDS, and PSIM. David is also well versed in Threat and Vulnerability Assessment for Airports and the planning of physical mitigation measures and operational processes and procedures to mitigate vulnerabilities. David also works on the overall processing of vehicles through security checkpoints including vehicle screening systems including LPR/ANPR, UVIS, vehicle screening, traffic calming, and crash-rated barriers.

David is also well versed with Local Area Network (LAN) layout, Infrastructure layout, Public Address (PA) design and testing, Mass Notification Systems, display system design and layout including FIDS, BIDS, etc., Audio/Visual systems, distributed antenna systems, data center design, and GPS based tracking and announcement systems.

Contact David

T:  +1  800.404.7677
C: +1  314.566.0638
E: [email protected]
LinkedIn: David McGhee

Airport Recovery Services

As one of the most respected professional services providers in the world, Ross & Baruzzini is dedicated to supporting our clients in meeting their COVID-19 requirements during these unprecedented times. Regardless of the technology, security, communications, emergency preparedness or business continuity challenges your organization faces, our Team stands ready to support your needs. Learn more. 

Airport Recovery Services & Innovation

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Airport Recovery Services & Innovation

Airport Recovery Services

  • Health Screening Protocols
  • Touchless Technology Planning 
  • Social Distancing Analysis
  • Contact Tracing Procedures
  • Business Continuity Strategies
  • Cybersecurity Assessment

Ross & Baruzzini’s experience in the aviation market spans more than 35 years, leading technology consulting and engineering efforts for more than 250 airports across the globe. We bring a reputation for innovation and a personal approach, delivering forward-thinking solutions to meet the creative vision of our clients while providing an unmatched passenger experience.

Click here to learn more about how we are helping our airport partners recover from the COVID19 pandemic. 

Megan Huff – Mobility Systems Expert

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Megan is the Vice President and Managing Principal of Mobility. With more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry, Megan has an extensive track record in end-to-end delivery of complex, high-priority projects on tight schedules within mission-critical service organizations and a history of delivering value to the bottom line through process improvements and technology modernization. She has expertise in leading and directing technology-related strategic planning, project development, and implementation across a variety of public transit agencies.

Contact Megan

T:  +1  800.404.7677
C: +1  215.360.6375
E: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Megan Huff

Airport Recovery Services

As one of the most respected professional services providers in the world, Ross & Baruzzini is dedicated to supporting our clients in meeting their COVID-19 requirements during these unprecedented times. Regardless of the technology, security, communications, emergency preparedness or business continuity challenges your organization faces, our Team stands ready to support your needs. Learn more. 

Brian Grimes Appointed as Office Director in Indianapolis

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Ross & Baruzzini is pleased to announce the appointment of veteran engineer Brian Grimes as office director for the Indianapolis office.

Jeff Crawford

“Brian’s great technical knowledge, ingenuity and experience are an asset to the Ross & Baruzzini team,” said Jeff Crawford, senior vice president and director of Higher Education and Research. “He will continue to provide strong leadership in Indianapolis moving forward.”

Subject Matter Expert Operations
Brian Grimes

With a career that spans more than 23 years, Grimes’ expertise as a senior project manager and mechanical engineer encompasses major new construction and renovation projects in the government, pharmaceutical and commercial markets for projects ranging from $10,000 to $500 million. Having joined Ross & Baruzzini in 2019 as leader of the Higher Education & Research market for the Indianapolis region, he has extensive experience in phased demolition, renovation, and replacement of mechanical systems in higher education facilities, including teaching and research labs, classroom buildings, student housing, dining and athletic venues.

Grimes holds a bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and is a registered professional engineer.

The Indianapolis office opened in 2012 and has grown its staff to 19 professional engineers and support staff.

About Ross & Baruzzini, Inc.

Founded in St. Louis in 1953, Ross & Baruzzini is an international technology consulting and engineering firm continually ranked among the top companies in the nation. It provides advanced solutions in the healthcare, government, higher education, transportation and mission-critical sectors. With more than 400 employees, Ross & Baruzzini executes projects in 30 countries. Ross & Baruzzini operates from its headquarters in Saint Louis and maintains regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Miami, New Haven, New York, Seattle and Mexico City.

Additional Q&A from COVID-19 Healthcare Security Webinar

Posted on by Shanna Evans

This article was originally published on May 7, 2020 and updated on January 7, 2021.

To help tackle COVID-19 challenges, Ross & Baruzzini is putting together a series of webinars to share industry-tailored insight. In the first episode of the series, aired Thursday, April 30, 2020, host John Desch, Ross & Baruzzini Chief Commercial Officer, along with security experts Bernard J. “Ben” Scaglione, Ross & Baruzzini | Senior Security Consultant, and Daniel Morro, Ross & Baruzzini Principal Security Advisor, discussed immediate next steps, recommended security measures, and the future of Healthcare Security.

Here are answers to participant questions that due to time constraints were unable to be answered during the webinar:

Question: Will we see newly deployed devices at airports/transit/federal sites, such as additional health screening viral breathalizers, for example, for rapid screening for health status; beyond temp?

Answer: Viral breathalizers are being explored as options and underdevelopment as some researchers have argued it is a far more accurate test in that it measures air directly from the lungs where the infection is focused. That said, I would see the implementation issues similar to those with alcohol breathalyzers, the necessity for constant calibration of the device itself, and training for those administering it. 

The keyword is “rapid” screening. There are also possibilities with wearable devices, but again, implementation (as well as cost) is the issue. The functional component of visitor/patient/passenger flow will be the challenge until any of these new technologies can be administered in a timely and efficient manner.

Question: What are some of your clients doing relative to building access and screening patients and visitors? Are tracking devices being considered?

Answer: Limiting access by closing off unnecessary entrances and passageways. Setting up a pre-registration questionnaire with specific health questions. Tracking (live or historical) is being explored through various technology paths, as well as the associated implications.

Question: What resources do you think are best to rely on currently since many of us hospital executives have not experienced a pandemic such as this one?

Answer: Hospital executives need to form a specific internal committee to self-evaluate and prepare, and then reach out externally to experts/consultants for solutions/validation. They should leverage the available federal funding that may follow for emergency preparedness related to pandemic planning/response. 

Watch the replay of the ‘COVID-19: Healthcare Security. What We’ve Learned so Far’ webinar.

Aviation Principal Consultant – Mark Crosby

Posted on by Shanna Evans

This post was originally published on May 7, 2020 and was updated on February 4, 2022.

Mark Crosby is a principal consultant, project executive, subject matter expert and business development lead for aviation, emergency management, maritime and public safety clients. With almost 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, Crosby is an accredited airport executive (AAE) and recognized expert in airport security, emergency management and public safety.

Prior to joining Ross & Baruzzini, Crosby served as the Director of Public Safety and Security at Portland International Airport/Port of Portland. With his 25 years of senior management experience at Portland and Sacramento International Airports and leadership positions with AAAE, ACI-NA, ACC, ACI-World, IAAE, and the Safe Skies Alliance, Mark is a leader in the Aviation Security, Public Safety and Emergency Management industry.

Contact Mark

T:  +1  800.404.7677
C: +1  971.235.1477
E: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Mark Crosby

Ann Barry – Aviation Security Expert

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Ann is a nationally-recognized Subject Matter Expert in all facets of aviation security. As Ross & Baruzzini’s Director of Security Consulting, Ann has more than 34 years of experience leading the development of strategic planning and assessment of technology platforms for a wide range of airport programs, including JFK, BWI, and LAWA. Her recent experience coupled with her leadership in the development of the AAAE BASIC program for Airport Credentialing and Identification as well as her expertise in Airport Perimeter Advanced Intrusion Programs makes her the ideal expert. Through her work at PANYNJ, BWI, DFW, and SFO, Ann has strong working relationships with the TSA and other regulatory agencies that will support the Airport with properly interpreting TSA mandates and requirements and developing appropriate compliance standards.

Contact Ann

T:  +1  800.404.7677
C: +1  301.613.3303
E: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Ann Barry

Airport Recovery Services

As one of the most respected professional services providers in the world, Ross & Baruzzini is dedicated to supporting our clients in meeting their COVID-19 requirements during these unprecedented times. Regardless of the technology, security, communications, emergency preparedness or business continuity challenges your organization faces, our Team stands ready to support your needs. Learn more. 

Chris Runde – Innovation Expert

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Chris is an innovation and strategy executive with expertise in aviation, security, and future-tech. In his position as Principal Consultant, Chris assists clients in solving their most complex business challenges while balancing innovation with tangible solutions. Chris has held numerous aviation-related positions in the public and private sectors including the creation and management of the Airport Innovation Accelerator at the American Association of1 Airport Executives (AAAE), where he worked across airports, airlines, government, and industry innovators to deploy emerging solutions and cultivate the innovation community.

Prior to the Accelerator, Mr. Runde led the government and transportation vertical for a venture-based security software company and, as a Federal employee at TSA, lead numerous key initiatives including the Screening Gateway, ACIS (airport biometric credentialing), insider threat mitigation, and the first deployment of PreCheck as a core member of the Risk-based Security team.

Contact Chris

T:  +1  800.404.7677
C: +1  410.698.2448
E: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Chris Runde

Airport Recovery Services

As one of the most respected professional services providers in the world, Ross & Baruzzini is dedicated to supporting our clients in meeting their COVID-19 requirements during these unprecedented times. Regardless of the technology, security, communications, emergency preparedness or business continuity challenges your organization faces, our Team stands ready to support your needs. Learn more.