Join us for a special 30th Anniversary Edition of the Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) podcast as we honor one of our most dedicated pioneers, Del Rajala, Superior Region Radio Network Technician.

From the rugged terrain of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to high-tech innovation and community leadership, Del’s journey with MPSCS is nothing short of extraordinary.

A foundational force since the system’s inception, Del was recently named Technician of the Year, a tribute to his relentless dedication, deep technical expertise, and unshakable commitment to his team and community.

🔊 What you'll hear in this episode:

• How Del tested every square mile of the U.P. during early MPSCS rollout

• MPSCS first Communications on Wheels (COW), built by Del in 2005

• 2010 IT Excellence Award from the Michigan Information Systems Association

• Antenna System Replacement at Michigan Tech University

• Del’s public service on the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners for over 14 years, 911 Commission, Vice Chair of the Western UP Health Department, Veterans Affairs, and more.

📡 Tune in and be inspired by the legacy of Del Rajala and 30 years of life-saving connectivity across Michigan.

Transcript: https://cms.michigan.gov/mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Transcripts/Del-Rajala-Podcast-Transcript-Final-June-2025.pdf

🎉 30th Anniversary Edition podcast with Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) and Gray Page, Bay City Supervisor! 🎉

As we mark this milestone, we're proud to highlight one of our dedicated team members, Gray Page - Bay Region Supervisor and a longtime MPSCS employee whose commitment continues to shape our success.

At our October Division Meeting, Gray was honored with the Director's Award by Director Brad Stoddard. This award recognizes his exceptional leadership, work ethic, and consistently positive attitude.

Most recently, Gray played a key leadership role in the Motorola Virtualized Prime (V-Prime) Conversion Project, a major step forward in modernizing our system.

For almost 30 years, Gray has made vital contributions to the MPSCS buildout, including but not limited to:

🔹 Genesee Simulcast

🔹 Saginaw Simulcast & Dispatch

🔹 Tuscola Dispatch

🔹 Lapeer Simulcast

🔹 City of Flint

🔹 Midland Simulcast & Dispatch

🔹 Bay County & Iosco County Dispatch

Please join us in celebrating Gray’s incredible work and 30 years of reliable public safety communications in Michigan! 🔊📡

Transcript available here: https://cms.michigan.gov/mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Transcripts/Gray-Page-Bay-City-Transcript-Final.pdf

Join Danielle Stewart, MPSCS Business Unit Manager, as she sits down with Adam Philpott from the Indiana Integrated Public Safety Commission (IPSC) to explore his critical role in public safety communications during the Total Eclipse of April 2024.

Adam was a featured presenter at the 15th Annual Michigan's Statewide Interoperable Communications Conference in where he delivered a compelling talk: "Communications Success: Lessons from a Total Solar Eclipse."

In preparation for the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb declared a state of emergency to ensure the state was ready for an influx of visitors and the potential strain on infrastructure.

Thanks to meticulous planning and coordination, Indiana achieved stellar success in managing emergency response, transportation, and communications during this rare celestial event.

We also take a moment to celebrate major milestones—30 years of MPSCS and 25 years of IPSC—as we recognize the dedication of our public safety partner to the south.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on crisis preparedness, interoperability, and the lessons learned from an event where the stars literally aligned for public safety.

https://cms.michigan.gov/mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Transcripts/Conversation-with-Adam-Philpott-IPSC_v03142025.pdf

Join us for a special podcast from 'The Hot Seat' with Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Director, Brad Stoddard.

Under Brad’s leadership, the MPSCS has become an internationally acclaimed P25 700/800 MHz digital trunked radio network, ensuring seamless communication and interoperability among local, state, federal, tribal, and private first responders across Michigan.

With a distinguished career in public safety communications, Brad brings a wealth of experience to the table. He has served as an engineer with the U.S. Department of Defense at the Joint National Test Facility and currently holds the position of Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) and National Chair, leading Michigan’s efforts in emergency response interoperability. Brad has also chaired the FEMA Region V Emergency Communications Coordination Working Group and the APCO Broadband Committee, and so much more.

Tune in to gain insights from Brad’s extensive expertise and discover the critical role of public safety communications in serving all first responders and protecting communities.

Transcript: https://cms.michigan.gov/mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Transcripts/Brad-Podcast-Transcript-Draft-Pt-1-Final.pdf

Do you have legacy radios approaching end of life? Why is replacement necessary and how do you navigate that change? Where do you turn if you have questions and need answers?

RPU/TDU – we’re bigger, better, and more efficient. Tune In to learn what our Radio Programming, Template Design, Console, and Fire Paging Unit do, and the big improvements we have made. Discover the Radio Management tool and how we are modernizing the MPSCS system and support infrastructure.

For a full list of Radios Approved on the MPSCS System, please visit our Website at www.michigan.gov/mpscs and go to Radios, Consoles, Pagers and Sirens tab.

RPU Hotline: 517-333-2720

RPU/TDU Email: [email protected]

Transcript: https://www.michigan.gov/mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Transcripts/RPU-TDU-Chris-Kuhl-Transcript-Final.pdf

Join us as we go Behind the Console with Michael Armitage, Executive Director of the Calhoun Co. Dispatch Authority to discuss the important work 911 Dispatchers and PSAP’s do to ensure seamless public safety communications for our first responders.

For the month of April during National 911 Education Month, we would like to take the opportunity to thank our Public Safety Telecommunicators for their service and dedication.

#thankyou911 #911EducationMonth

Transcript: https://cms.michigan.gov/mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Transcripts/911-Director-Armitage-Transcript-Final.pdf

Do you have what it takes to become a 911 Dispatcher? Join us as we go Behind the Console with Ray Hasil, Executive Director of the Mason/Oceana Dispatch Authority to discuss the important work 911 Dispatchers and PSAP’s do to ensure seamless public safety communications for our first responders.

For the month of April during National 911 Education Month, and for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 9-15, 2023, we would like to take the opportunity to thank our Public Safety Telecommunicators for their service and dedication.

#thankyou911

Transcript:

https://michigan.gov/mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Transcripts/Tune-in-with-MPSCS-911-Ray-Hasil-Transcript-Final.pdf

Did you know that Engineers play a critical role in public safety? At MPSCS, we rely on our Engineers to ensure MPSCS public safety users have the best possible coverage and connectivity. They are integral to the planning and design of the MPSCS's 800 MHz radio system and the MPLS Backbone Network.

Today we talk with Greg Farrer, the Engineering Manager at MPSCS, to discuss the valuable work they do. Everything from IP networking, MPLS, to RF propagation and FCC licensing.

We also assist public safety agencies to integrate their dispatch centers and RF sites to fortify emergency interoperable communications.

Transcript: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/2F74F3059CAB4C9DB583511782C58AC3.ashx

We would like to thank all of our veterans, active, and reservist military for their service.

Did you know that over 40% of our MPSCS staff have served in the military? We have members who have served in every branch, and today on “Tune In with MPSCS”, we talk with one of our Radio Techs David Peck who served with the Michigan Army National Guard and spent some time at Gitmo.

Why do veterans make great employees? What Military Veteran services are available? We answer these questions and more.

Transcript:

https://www.michigan.gov/mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Tune-in-with-MPSCS-Veterans-Peck-Transcript.pdf

Are you a Military Veteran and need assistance?

The US Department of Veterans Affairs offers veterans a full spectrum of health care services, disability, emergency assistance, employment guidance, counseling, education, and housing benefits. Go to: www.va.gov, or call 800-698-2411.

Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255. Select 1, or you can text 838255, or visit Veteranscrisisline.net.

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency at 1-800-MICHvet. Or visit Michiganveterans.com to learn more or to be connected with a service officer near you.

In this podcast we talk with Kasey Mlujeak from the Michigan Department of Corrections(MDOC) at the Jackson Prison.

Kasey is the Radio Communications Coordinator and Radio Shop Manager. We discuss what all she does to keep over 5,000 radios running, operating, repaired and replaced as necessary at all 27 Michigan prisons.

We discuss all of this and more!

Transcript here: https://www.michigan.gov//mpscs/-/media/Project/Websites/MPSCS/Social_Media/Transcripts/MPSCS-Corrections-Mlujeak-Podcast-Transcript.pdf