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

In this show we talk with Kevin Sehlmeyer, State of MI Fire Marshal and MI Public Safety Communications Interoperability Board member to discuss radios, fire fighting, interoperability, MI Prevention and Community Risk Reduction.

What does the Fire Marshal do, and what is the Public Safety Communications Interoperability Board? What is Interoperability? What technologies have improved fire fighting?

In the 2nd half, we talk about the program MI Prevention. What does the data say about the biggest risks for fire fatalities, and what can YOU do to keep you and your family safe.

RESOURCES:

MI Prevention

www.miprevention.org

Regional Statistics

https://mfis.org/fire-stats

National Fire Protection Association

www.NFPA.org

VISION 20/20

www.strategicfire.org

National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association

www.ncoaa.us

American Red Cross

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/prevent-home-fire.html

Resources for Teachers & Kids:

https://ymiclassroom.com/lesson-plans/soundoff-teachers/

https://www.sparky.org/

Transcript:

www.michigan.gov/documents/mpscs/MPSCS_Fire_Marshal_Podcast_Transcript_v2_743121_7.pdf

In this episode we chat with Jason Simmons, a subscriber radio tech from Michigan's Public Safety Communications System. He covers the Lansing Radio shop in 11 Michigan counties, stretching from Gratiot down to Barry County, across to Livingston.

Subscriber radio techs maintain and repair the radio network and communications equipment for various first responder State of Michigan agencies, such as the Michigan State Police, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and even the National Guard.

Some of the equipment include 800MHz radios, modems, cameras, and radars. You will also learn what some of the tones of the radio mean.

Transcript is available here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpscs/MPSCS_Radio_Tech_Podcast_with_Jason_Simmons-Transcript_730723_7.pdf

The NCC or Network Communications Center is available 24 hours a day to assist public safety members with issues regarding system problems and maintenance. They are a lifeline to dispatchers and agencies that rely on the system that supports first responders.

Public safety members include state agencies, local, federal, tribal, county and private public safety first responders.

What is the day like in the NCC and how did it start? We talk with Marty Gillis who has worked in the NCC since its origins to answer those questions.

Transcript is available here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mpscs/MPSCS_NCC_Podcast_Transcript_V4_722132_7.pdf