L.R. Kimball

New Challenges for School Districts

 By John Hummel, K12 Market Segment Leader

School boards and administrators have always been faced with the daunting task of delivering the best education possible using the finite resources that are available.  They annually face the challenge to stay on top of current developments in education delivery while maintaining safe, secure and healthy learning environments.  They strive to have the right people in the right positions, the right equipment in the right facilities, and the right balance of revenue to expenses.

2011 brought new challenges.  The pressures of a slow economy and its impact on revenue, reduced subsidies from the state due to the expiration of stimulus programs, and an electorate looking for relief from taxes combined to force school boards and administrators into making hard decisions.  Yet the needs continue.  Collective bargaining agreements, pension and health care obligations, insurance, utility costs and transportation are just some of the categories or budget line items that boards and administrators have only so much control over.

These pressures are impacting school boards and decision makers at an unprecedented level. It could be argued that the entire K-12 landscape has changed and that these changes are only the beginning.  Though the down economy has had its impact on our industry as well, circumstances have inspired our firm to work even harder at developing creative ways to help improve the situation for educators and taxpayers alike.

School boards and administrators can leverage the expertise of a K-12 architecture and engineering consultant to compare options on how to more efficiently utilize facilities, assess the short and long term needs of maintaining facilities, and develop a plan to reduce utility costs. 

L.R. Kimball’s creative and collaborative approach to problem solving will benefit your school district. Please contact us for a no-obligations discussion of the specific challenges of concern to you.

L.R. Kimball VP Chairing Solid Waste Advisory Committee

L.R. Kimball, Vice President, Business Development, Tanya McCoy-Caretti, was recently elected to chair the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

The SWAC provides administration and regulatory guidance to the governor on all hazardous, residual and municipal waste issues in the state. Tanya has been a member of the committee since the Tom Ridge administration and was recently reappointed by Governor Tom Corbett. Under her leadership, the SWAC will focus on Pennsylvania’s Hazardous Waste Management report; amendments to the state’s regulated medical waste; adopting a spending plan to support state recycling programs and county waste planning efforts; and regulatory, permit and guidance documents that govern drilling activities within the Marcellus play.

Tanya has worked for L.R. Kimball for more than six years, using her vast experience in solid waste management to assist local, county and state government entities.

Safeguarding Information Assets

By: Monique Lewis & Lori Kleckner

Continuing with our NENA NG-SEC series, the topic for this installment is Safeguarding Information Assets. Information safeguards are a function of access control through identification, authentication and the management of these processes. The CIA of security (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) is paramount to a secure operating environment. Information assets such as data and network design must be protected to avoid data lose and network intrusion.

Confidentiality - Preserving authorized restrictions on information access and disclosure, including means for protecting personal privacy and proprietary information. (44 U.S.C., Sec. 3542)

Confidentiality must address non-disclosure of information and include encryption whenever feasible. Passwords must be unique and managed.  Section 7 of NG-SEC provides guidelines for password and passphrase composition and should be reviewed to assure compliance.

Integrity - Guarding against improper information modification or destruction, and includes ensuring information non-repudiation and authenticity. (44 U.S.C., Sec. 3542)

Information must be from a trusted source. Only approved applications, hardware (including CDs and USB drives) and data sources should be permitted to enter the operating environment. Anti-virus software, system configuration and updates (including patches) should be administered via a well thought out change management process.

Availability - Ensuring timely and reliable access to and use of information. (44 U.S.C., Sec. 3542)

Security should enhance, not impede availability. Security measures should be efficient to both hardware and personnel resources. Redundancy should be built in and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans in place that take security into consideration.

During recent security assessments, L. R. Kimball have found the in many cases the physical aspect of protecting information is addressed (e.g. locked server rooms, etc). However, the digital or electronic aspect is often not taken into consideration. We have seen that critical data is typically not encrypted and electronic access to files is not closely controlled or protected.

Access control is the cornerstone of safeguarding information assets. From unique logon IDs and establishing least privilege required, to managing these functions. When information is not appropriately safeguarded the consequences can be loss of data, data corruption, network intrusion and misuse of resources. This may result in location information being inaccurate, calls misrouted or delayed or the inability to safely protect call records which may be used in court cases, etc.

The next topic in our series will highlight physical security.

Can the shale industry help with acid mine drainage?

by Scott Roberts

Last blog I discussed why the rhetorical hanging of Pennsylvania’s abandoned mine drainage (AMD) problems around the neck of the modern gas industry was flawed.  However, Pennsylvania’s mine drainage problem is real and, keeping in the classical motif, a true Gordian knot.   Alexander the Great’s solution of this legendary puzzle was to use his sword to cut the knot in half. His solution is often used as a metaphor for an intractable problem solved by a bold stroke.   Today there is a real possibility that AMD, the most intractable of our environmental problems, can be solved by bold action. 

AMD pollutes, degrades, kills or impairs over 5,000 miles of Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams.  Some of those streams have been dead for over a century and there is no reason to expect they will be naturally remediated in the foreseeable future.  For the past 30 years, Pennsylvania’s mining industry has successfully used sophisticated geo-chemical analyses to prevent modern mines from adding to the problem.   At the same time, companies with responsibility for discharges from older mines have been funding trusts or posting additional bond to make sure the water from their mines remains treated in perpetuity.  For AMD from abandoned mines with recoverable coal, it is possible to ‘remine’ the site which eliminates safety hazards, returns the land to usable condition and improves water quality.   For the rest, treatment is the only option.

Treatment of mine drainage generally involves the neutralizing acid, oxidizing the iron, manganese and aluminum in the water and allowing adequate time for those metals to settle out.  Systems can use either passive techniques like anoxic limestone beds and wetlands or active techniques where the process requires people, machines and power.   Both take money to design, build and operate. 

In the past almost all of the money for these projects came from Pennsylvania programs like the late ‘60’s era Operation Scarlift or the much more recent Growing Greener programs.  Thanks to leadership by Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation future funding will come from fees paid by the coal mining industry across the nation and granted to the state for abandoned mine reclamation.  But the potential amounts available are far less than the amounts needed to deal with the problem today and into the future.  It really is a knotty and intractable problem.

However, the need for water to hydraulically fracture shale gas wells can be the sword that slices through the knot.   Bold action on the part of government, both federal and state government, can make this solution a reality.  Issues like liability, quality, transportation and waste management can be solved.   A small portion of the value of the water can be captured to create the long term financial instruments necessary to keep the water treated forever.  Cleaning up Pennsylvania’s AMD streams will rival any environmental restoration project anywhere. 

Personally, I believe that the shale gas industry would jump at the chance of being the Alexander which cuts this knot.

Summary of Construction Document Sets {DB's Corner - Blog 05}

 

If the adage is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, then an illustration may be worth 500.  This blog entry includes two graphics of Construction Documents, which are comprised of Procurement Documents and Contract Documents.

While previous blog postings have defined each of those terms, generally speaking, "Procurement Documents" include everything in the project manual, all drawings, and pre-contract addenda. "Contract Documents" on the other hand include: everything in the project manual, except procurement information and procurement requirements, unless specifically enumerated in the Agreement; all drawings, except any resource drawings; and contract modifications, both pre and post the Agreement signing.

One of the first graphics I observed summarizing these descriptive guidelines was included in the Manual of Practice as distributed by The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), specifically Figure 5.1A.  While that 3-D figure bundles each of the ‘Document Sets’, it is general in nature and excludes the introductory information.  Not finding a more comprehensive graphic, the following 2-D illustration is my attempt at interpreting the various Document Sets following 2010 MasterFormat protocol.

This graphic identifies those components of the Procurement Documents and Contract Documents as they relate to specification Section Numbers and Titles within the various Project Manual Groups and Subgroups, as well as the two drawing types. 

 

(please click the image above to view it full-scale)

One should refer to proper terminology when producing, using, and interpreting the various Document Sets throughout the project life cycle. This initiates with the professional during design, with the constructor during procurement (bidding), with those preparing legal agreements, and with all contract parties and project entities executing construction and its administration (CA). Upon project completion, conformed Contract Documents, those documents and drawings incorporating construction related modifications and as-built information, may also be used as a record of the constructed facility by those performing facility management. 

For those desirous of a 3-D illustration, your wish is fulfilled via the following graphic, which includes all information referenced in the 2-D version.

 
(please click the image above to view it full-scale)

With the inclusion of both graphic representations, illustrated by Shaun Boland, this posting ends with the following rhetorical question: did I transcend the magic mark of the blog being worth a thousand words?

 Next blog topic currently being considered:  Substantial Completion Issues.

The influence of recent national disasters on NG9-1-1

by Alan Murrell

This is a continuation of a discussion about NG9-1-1's Migration. Read the first installment here.

Let’s rewind the clock a tad to arguably the most heinous and destructive man made event in the United States, the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Notwithstanding the inexhaustible list of loss and damage that was exacted upon a nation and a people, we find a legitimate catalyst (or X-factor) that in part, served to fast track the NG9-1-1 agenda. For the sake of expediency, I have obviously skipped many points but the thrust of the message is to once again remind you of the endless communication and interoperability challenges that were faced during that grim chapter in our lives.

If that weren’t enough, some four years later during 2005, we experienced natural disasters of near Biblical proportions in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Once again and without tangible progress toward IP migrations, our first responder communities were revisited by the interoperability bug. As painful as it is to say, catastrophe and disaster are generally regarded as the Mother of Invention. At this stage, dialogue began to intensify and funding options began to appear so much so that NG9-1-1 really began to secure traction at the PSAP level. At a minimum, it surfaced on virtually on everyone’s radar screen and in many cases CPE upgrades and IP network deployments became a reality.

Much of the credit for advancements to this particular point in time is to be given to the US DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration or RITA. Their proof of concept trial(s) that took place during 2008, served to validate those white board (and bar napkin!) precepts of NG9-1-1, within multiple and controlled environments. Additionally, and yet to a less visible extent, we had the Department of Homeland Security, a newly minted department at the federal level, to step forward with funding vehicles.

Yes, I know, this seems to be mixing apples [NG9-1-1] and oranges [P25, narrowbanding, emergency management, etc.] but in my estimation, it’s all a fruit basket! My hypothesis is that when one team eats, all teams eat – theoretically. Look at it this way, if interoperability and collaboration are truly rooted into strategic planning at state/regional levels, then sharing opportunities will exist either on the funding, infrastructure or operation sides.

Now back to business lest we forget about our other friends that have helped to fuel this engine; NENA, APCO, CSRIC, ERIC, ECRIT, NIST, FGDC, IETF, IEEE, TIA, ICE, 3GPP and several universities and endless vendors. I won’t take the time to expand upon each acronym however most of you are students in this space and if you happen not to be, each one is easily “Google-able!” In all sincerity, these are all important agencies or entities and without them, we certainly wouldn’t be as far along as we are.

I’m going to stop here, for now. In my next post, I’ll talk about why it’s important to take this step into NG9-1-1.

New Webinar Series Focus on Communications Technology.

L.R. Kimball is pleased to announce a new series of webinars which will begin on Thursday, September 8, 2011.  The webinars will address three main communications technology topics: radio/ narrowbanding, Next Generation 9-1-1 and consolidation.

"Our public safety consultants are in the field working with clients day in and day out. That gives us a unique understanding of the questions that are on the minds of many public safety officials and we have the experience to provide answers," said Joel McCamely, L.R. Kimball Senior Vice President.

During the three, one-hour webinars, participants will hear directly from the firm's experts, will have an opportunity to ask questions and will leave understanding what steps they should take to improve service and decrease costs.

Narrowband Now! Meeting the FCC's Narrowband Mandate by January 1, 2013
September 8, 2011 -- 2PM EDT
Bill Waugaman and Tom Harmon will provide an overview of the systems and frequency bands impacted by the FCC Narrowband mandate. In addition they will review strategies for assessing changes or upgrades and provide an update on the latest information from the FCC staff.

NG9-1-1: A National Update
September 29, 2011 -- 4PM EDT
With a challenging economy, some of the momentum in NG9-1-1 has slowed. Yet states, counties and towns are still making progress. In this presentation, Jeremy Smith will talk about the status of NG9-1-1 across the country.

Emergency Communications Consolidation
October 13, 2011 -- 2PM EDT
Presenters Mike Fischel and RoxAnn Brown will address the reasons for and different types of consolidation. They will also discuss how to determine if a consolidation initiative is needed, the potential benefits and cost implications and the expected challenges.

The webinars are completely free to attend!

Visit the L.R. Kimball website at www.lrkimball.com/2011Webinars to sign up. 

NG9-1-1; The Great Migration

By: Alan Murrell (new L.R. Kimball blog contributor) 

Well, by my rough estimate, we’ve been at this NG9-1-1 thing for more than 10 years now. For the sake of this monologue, I will define ‘we’ as the 9-1-1 industry along with various stakeholders, vendors and all others with an opinion. When we consider all of these entities that have skin in the game, efforts have actually been ongoing for closer to 20 years.  However, those efforts likely amounted to back room and perhaps front room discussions on white boards, industry conference chatter and, dare I say, discussions over bar napkins.

While I’m at it, will someone please tell me just what in the heck is Next Generation 9-1-1? It seems that for every vendor, public agency, standards body and university out there we have a different answer.  So, here’s one more and MY answer; Next Generation 9-1-1 is “IP and SIP based emergency calling and call routing, that leverages GIS data for location determination and calls can be terminated on a situational basis, based upon fluid policies.”

As a contributor to the L.R. Kimball blog, I’m going to spend the next several posts talking about the history of public communications, events that brought us to this transition and the need for NG9-1-1. 

Today, let’s talk about history:

Until the late 1980’s, 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 served us quite well. Once we became more of a mobile society in the early 1990’s and data services were placed quite literally on our hips and in our pockets, the game changed. All of a sudden we could not only call mom, dad, grandma and order pizza on the go, but we could also interrogate thousands and millions of databases to quickly learn information – all while on the fly!

Also noteworthy during this era was a sharp increase in the adoption rates of the Internet Protocol, within the enterprise space, as a near default data communications protocol standard and the development and deployment of VoIP based products/services. This tended to flatten the playing field, introduced a common standard and added much greater speed and efficiency possibilities.

Not since the Communications Act of 1934, which gave birth to the FCC, and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which drove deregulation and access, had there been such disruptive change within the communications space. In fact, more communications based legislation has been introduced within this ~20 year span than in any other equivalent span in history. Recently, the FCC Chairman announced his five-point plan to drive the implementation of NG9-1-1.

Now that we’ve set the stage for how we got here and have sufficiently covered some data points in time, we’ll move on to recent American history in my next post.