Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.

 

Justin interviews Kyle Leng, Senior Compliance Officer at Airtower Networks, about the risks associated with buildings that lack strong wireless connectivity. These issues involve cellular, Wi-Fi, and public safety distributed antenna systems for first responders. Justin and Kyle discuss physical risks, but mainly the communication risks of not being able to call 911 or firefighters or police officers unable to radio out of the building. The discussion turns to IoT, and Kyle shares some of his experiences in bringing apartment buildings up to date with Wi-Fi and IoT, including scheduled technology security updates. Kyle speaks of the need to update stone buildings that block signals internally and deal with high-rises that block you from connecting to your cell tower.

 

Listen to learn more about updating wireless communication in your properties.

 

Key Takeaways:

[:01] About RIMS and RIMScast.

[:17] About this episode of RIMScast. Our topic is emergency preparedness and wireless availability and capability, with Kyle Leng of Airtower. We’ve got some critical insights for anyone experiencing hurricane season.

[:45] RIMS-CRMP Workshops! Register by July 1st for the next RIMS-CRMP Virtual Workshop, which will be co-led by Parima. That course will be held on July 8th and 9th.

[1:02 ] The next RIMS-CRMP-FED virtual workshop will be led by Joseph Mayo on July 17th and 18th. Register by July 16th. Links to these courses can be found on the Certification Page of RIMS.org and through this episode’s show notes.

[1:20 ] RIMS Virtual Workshops! We have a day-long course on July 24th, “Risk Taxonomy for Effective Risk Management.” On August 5th, we have a day-long course about “Emerging Risks.” RIMS members enjoy deep discounts!

[1:35 ] A link to the full schedule of virtual workshops can be found on the RIMS.org/education and RIMS.org/education/online-learning pages. A link is also in this episode’s notes.

[1:46 ] If you tuned in to the recent episode featuring James Lam, you will know that he is hosting a new six-module workshop for us, the “RIMS-CRO Certificate in Advanced Enterprise Risk Management”.

[1:59 ] The inaugural summer course is completely sold out! We are virtually filled to capacity! Don’t worry, in the Fall, the bi-weekly course will begin on October 9th. Registration closes on October 2nd. A link is in this episode’s notes. Check it out and register today!

[2:19 ] Mark your calendars for November 17th and 18th for the RIMS ERM Conference 2025 in Seattle, Washington. The agenda is being built. Soon, we will distribute a Call for Nominations for the ERM Award of Distinction. I’ll update this episode’s show notes when that link is ready.

[2:42 ] Think about your organization’s ERM program or one that you know of, and how it has generated value. We will have more on that in the coming weeks.

[2:50 ] On with the show! Our guest today is Kyle Leng, the Senior Compliance Officer at Airtower Networks. Airtower is a wireless infrastructure provider.

[3:00 ] Kyle is here to discuss how risk managers can play a pivotal role in building and upgrading wireless connectivity for their buildings and organizations.

[3:10 ] We’re also going to talk about some of the legislation in the U.S. that could have a national impact on wireless capability and emergency preparedness. Let’s get to it!

[3:20 ] Interview! Kyle Leng, welcome to RIMScast!

[3:32 ] Kyle is the Senior Compliance Officer at Airtower Networks. His primary focus is working with local governing bodies to install either public safety radio systems for first responders, cellular systems, or Wi-Fi enhancement systems.

[3:50 ] Kyle makes sure Airtower Networks is evergreen on the local requirements and expectations, and the latest security protocols for those systems.

[4:00 ] Kyle has been at Airtower coming up on a decade, and in the public safety sector for eight years. He is in high demand at Airtower, internally and externally.

[4:17 ] The Airtower HQ is in D.C. There are also satellite offices. Kyle lives in Maryland.

[4:40 ] If your building lacks wireless connectivity, firefighters can't communicate on your property. This is code-mandated, so your occupancy for your property is in jeopardy, along with the lives of your tenants.

[5:00 ] There is a risk associated with a lack of cell phone coverage. No one should be in an emergency and not be able to dial 911. It’s terrifying. It’s also a huge liability exposure.

[5:15 ] Another vulnerability for first responder radio systems is that codes, requirements, and technology are constantly in flux. This is also true of cellular enhancement systems. 

[5:31 ] The technology is updating and the requirements are changing, including Florida’s SB 1190 and HB 1571, with retroactive enforcement for existing buildings.

[5:52 ] Radio dead zones in apartment buildings are a major risk for first responders. Kyle uses an example of sister apartment buildings, with a fire spreading from one to the other, and the second building having no communication.

[6:30 ] All these things are updating, evolving, and iterating. You might be looking at last year’s requirements and be off base.

[6:42 ] You may miss something valuable learned in the field through trial and error, that installing these systems or having certain security protocols makes a world of difference regarding the safety of the tenants and the first responders.

[7:01 ] Kyle expects most of the U.S. will adopt legislation similar to Florida. Most of the country is watching Florida to see what works and what doesn’t, planning to implement their own.

[7:10 ] Retroactive enforcement, where older buildings are not grandfathered in, already exists in pockets around the country. 

[8:07 ] Existing building mandates have been in the International Fire Code and the NFPA codes, which govern first responder radio systems, for a decade.

[8:39 ] Florida is the first U.S. local authority to publish bills around these codes, including a timeline with retroactivity. They are moving to make buildings safer.

[8:52 ] Kyle explains why Airtower Networks is excited by Florida’s move. Communities become safer, and local heroes are safer while they’re rescuing people. It’s a tough undertaking. It takes a lot of resources and knowledge. There will be hiccups, and people will learn as they go.

[9:25 ] Plug Time! The very first RIMS Texas Regional Conference will be held from August 4th through the 6th in San Antonio at the Henry B. González Convention Center. Public Registration is open.

[9:39 ] Hotel cut-off for the discounted rate is available through July 7th. The full Conference Agenda is now live, so you can start planning your experience. Don’t miss the post-conference workshop, the RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep Course, available onsite.

[9:55 ] This event is open to any RIMS Chapter member. If you are local to the area, you might consider becoming a RIMS member today, so that you can get all the benefits and begin networking with your new RIMS Texas peers. Links are in this episode’s show notes.

[10:10 ] You can also visit the Events Page of RIMS.org for more information. We look forward to seeing you in Texas!

[10:18 ] Just a month later, we will be up North for the RIMS Canada Conference 2025, from September 14th through 17th in Calgary. Registration is open. Visit RIMSCanadaConference.CA and lock in those favourable rates. We look forward to seeing you in Calgary!

[10:37 ] On October 1st through the 3rd, the RIMS Western Regional Conference will be held in North San Jose at the Santa Clara Marriott. The agenda is live. It looks fantastic! Visit RIMSWesternRegional.com and register today.

[10:53 ] Let’s Return to My Interview with Kyle Leng! 

[11:07 ] The bulk of Airtower Networks’ active projects are at active construction sites. There is inherent danger there. The whole team undergoes stringent safety training. They maintain all the relevant certifications to keep the team safe. They review