Massachusetts Public Safety Leaders Gather at Smart Security Summit

WOBURN, Mass. - April 6, 2015 - PRLog -- BCM Controls Corporation and Axis Communications partnered to present the Smart Security Summit, an open forum for local Public Safety Leaders to exchange ideas and explore new technologies that assist in emergency preparedness and violence prevention.

The Summit was headlined by a keynote address from Robert Noonan, Director of Public Safety for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.  He focused on the importance of developing strategic relationships with other Public Safety entities as well as private partners before an emergency occurs.  In his words, “If you’re meeting these folks for the first time during an emergency event; you’re done!”  He also highlighted the role that technology plays in preparing New England’s largest building, the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC), for large scale events and the importance of information sharing between local and state entities. “While a Bruins game might have 17K people for 2-3 hours, we might have 30K people in our venue for 8-10 hours at a time spanning several days. Our goal is to maintain the facility as open and inviting to our public while at the same time keeping it safe and secure through strong preparedness plans, solid external relationships, and a dynamic team of individuals at the convention center ready to respond.”

Also featured was an Active Shooter Presentation and Response Workshop by Sgt. Paul Parlon, University of Massachusetts Boston, specifically designed to demonstrate how officers are now trained to respond to threats and how these methods and exercises can be implemented on an organizational level. The procedures have changed significantly over the past several years as a result of incidents at Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Boston Marathon, and more.  “The biggest obstacle we face is overcoming people’s fear of scaring their occupants as a result of training, versus having them safer if an emergency occurs.”

A highlight of the Summit was a panel discussion where numerous Public Safety Topics were addressed including…

Amanda Botelho, Senior Security Consultant for TSG Solutions: “One of the most critical steps in our risk assessment process is helping clients to prioritize the safety, security, and emergency preparedness recommendations that we identify. One of our biggest challenges is helping the organization recognize the value in implementing those enhancements before there is an emergency.”

Jay Hackett, Director of Campus Safety for Milton Academy:  Regarding Child Safety; “Parents have high expectations and they rightfully assume that you are already meeting and exceeding those expectations.”

Nicki Luongo, Director of Protective Service for the Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Regarding leadership in an emergency situation, “people in the midst of an emergency are looking for leadership and it’s critical that those responsible in a public building or forum are trained and ready to assume that leadership role.”

James Overton, Vice Chancellor for UMass Boston: “If you get a chance to participate in Urban Shield, I highly recommend that you do so.  Not only will you learn a lot about your own state of preparedness, you’ll learn what others around you are doing as well.”

Michael Palmer, Public Safety Manger for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority:  “There’s a big difference between data and information. All the data in the world is useless if you can’t turn it into useful information. All of the systems we utilize are intended to do just that.”

Following the summit, Steven Feinberg, President of BCM Controls said, “it was a great pleasure and honor to host this forum of Public Safety Professionals. Seeing everyone interact and exchange fresh ideas regarding this extremely important topic made the event well worth the effort.”  We plan host similar complimentary events in the near future.