Middlesex again this year is partnering with private companies and public agencies to provide electronic security for Boston’s Fourth of July concert and fireworks celebrations. The Middlesex team designed, built and will operate an electronic credentials system that will allow speedy access to the Unified Command Center (UCC) for hundreds of authorized public safety personnel.

MCC’s Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Lab and Program on Homeland Security are both involved in this initiative. MCC team members are Associate Dean Neil Sheer and Professor Joe Kalus of the Computer/Engineering/Technology division and Terrence Downes, Director of the Homeland Security Program. All three will oversee operations at the UCC.

The UCC coordinates all public safety aspects of the celebration. It is located away from the Hatch Shell for safety and access purposes and is staffed throughout the event. The Massachusetts State Police are again in charge of public safety with forty-four other agencies, including police and fire departments from Boston and Cambridge, the U.S. Coast Guard, the FBI, and the MBTA.

“Maintaining UCC security is incredibly important to the safety, security and success of the overall July 4th weekend celebration. Using this level of sophisticated electronic security is a great example of adapting new technology for practical purposes and enhancing overall interagency teamwork. The seriousness of current day security challenges requires doing whatever possible to assure safety for all,” said Downes.

The MCC RFID Lab is located on the Bedford campus. Middlesex partners are MITRE Corp, RFIDGlobal Solutions Inc., Fenwick Technologies and the U.S. Air Force Electronic Systems Center from Hanscom AFB. Boston 4 Celebrations Inc. (“B4”) is the foundation responsible for underwriting and management of the event.

RFID automatically identifies and tracks items, inventories and people. It uses radio waves to activate, recognize and respond to an RFID tag, which has a unique code and is attached to the item or person.

For more information about the Middlesex July 4th project, contact Terrence Downes at 978-656-3103 or downest@middlesex.mass.edu.