In the realm of public safety, every resource must be optimized to meet the needs of rural community public safety. Houghton and Ontonagon Counties have found a steadfast ally in Tele-Rad. As shared by Chris Van Arsdale, Houghton and Keweenaw County Emergency Management Coordinator, “Through their service and dedication, Tele-Rad has been instrumental in catalyzing positive transformations in our equipment infrastructure.”
At Tele-Rad, we pride ourselves on implementing safety technology solutions that increase safety in the communities we serve. Our mission is to serve as a trusted partner, working closely with a variety of businesses and agencies, empowering them to detect, analyze, communicate and manage situations more efficiently and with better information. Read on to learn more about our recent partnership with Houghton and Keweenaw counties.
Integrated and Automated.
Timely Solutions for Grant Fulfillment
Through our partnership with Motorola Solutions we can offer a variety of grant assistance opportunities, such as grant research, grant alert notices and grant application reviews from a team of grant experts. Locally, we can assist with proposing solutions and providing budgetary quotes for project planning purposes.
As again shared by Chris VanArsdale, “One of the hallmarks of Tele-Rad’s service is their unparalleled responsiveness, as exemplified by the invaluable assistance rendered by our local technology consultant, Jessica. When grant deadlines loom, Jessica’s swift action has been instrumental in facilitating the procurement process from start to finish. Her adeptness in promptly providing quotes, helping to accommodate budgetary constraints, and ensuring the alignment of equipment with specific needs has been outstanding.”
“She has expedited the entire process- sometimes within a 24-hour window- to meet a Homeland Security, Operation Stonegarden, or DNR grant deadline. It allowed us to capture some leftover grant funding when other projects have come in under budget.”
Serving as your trusted partner, since 1947.
Propelling Progress Forward
Tele-Rad has been recognized by our partners at Motorola Solutions as an Ecosystem Solutions Partner and Service Elite Specialist, distinguishing us as one of only a few Motorola Solutions partners across the country to sell, install, and service the full range of voice, video, physical security and data solutions.
For Houghton and Ontonagon Counties, the transition to Tele-Rad has signified a monumental leap forward in their equipment. No longer constrained by stagnant strung together systems and unsatisfactory vendor interactions, they have found Tele-Rad to be a partner dedicated to propelling progress.
“When we were starting our encryption program back in 2018, other vendors were telling us ‘Oh, that’s not possible- Motorola doesn’t make that’ or ‘You’ll never need that’- which was wrong, we knew exactly what we wanted, even the part numbers to order. We met Jessica at the Interop conference and she was on board with our wants and ideas and helped us with figuring out the tricks when ordering to get the feature we wanted while getting the best price. As a result both Ontonagon and Houghton Counties now use (real-AES) encryption and OTAR and have very particular radio feature requirements to help us not only provide great usability features to law enforcement and first responders in the area but also extend our investment when our or system requirements change” says VanArsdale.
Tele-Rad’s proactive approach, keeping abreast of the latest safety technology offerings and their implications, has empowered the counties to make informed decisions regarding their purchases. “In Ontonagon County, the Sheriff’s Office was looking at taking the opportunity to update their Jail camera system while doing other renovations. The old system was just patched together over the years and was going to be a nightmare to try and figure out how to move and reconnect. We heard Houghton County was getting a demo of the Avigilon system and were able to sneak in to see that” says Mike Kocher, the Ontonagon County Emergency Manager and 911 Coordinator. “When we saw the capabilities including connection to the courthouse several miles away, it was perfect. It’s like night and day. Not only that, but it is expandable in the future without having to start over.”
Tele-Rad prides itself on taking on large and complex projects, often uniting what were previously disparate systems and making them work together. We’ve served Michigan communities for nearly 75 years, and we understand the local needs and challenges in our area, such as those faced by these Northern Michigan counties.
Unified voice, data, video and analytics
A Willingness to Engage and Integrate
Tele-Rad wouldn’t still be here seven decades after we started if it weren’t for our team of dedicated professionals. Our sales, service, and operations teams proudly work together to ensure success from start to finish.
As again shared by Chris Van Arsdale, “Tele-Rad distinguishes itself not only through its promptness and efficiency but also through its openness to collaboration and integration. When confronted with questions, the Tele-Rad team demonstrates a willingness to dig deep in search of solutions and manage expectations realistically. Their familiarization with the procedure and the people of the Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) further streamlines project execution, fostering an efficient workflow.”
“In conclusion, the partnership between Houghton and Ontonagon Counties and Tele-Rad is a great example of the transformative power of effective collaboration and superior service. Through their dedication to timeliness, progress, and engagement, Tele-Rad exceeds the expectations of our counties, reinforcing their status as a trusted ally in public safety. As they continue to innovate and excel, the future holds great promise for this partnership.”