Breaking Free from Vendor Lock-In: Strategies to Cut Radio System Support Costs

Register for the webinar using the form provided below.

Public safety agencies are under increasing pressure to find solutions for radio system cost reduction. From aging equipment nearing end-of-life to rising service agreements, repair costs, and subscription fees, the financial strain is real. This MCP webinar will share strategies, tools, and real-world examples to help agencies cut costs and regain control.

This webinar will explore how agencies are navigating these pressures and the innovative strategies they’re using to manage costs. Topics will include real-world examples of lengthy vendor negotiations, the introduction of competing radio vendors, contracting for civil work separately, leveraging competitive procurements, bringing support services in-house, and even switching vendors entirely.

Join us to hear how your peers are adapting to this evolving landscape—and come away with insights you can apply in your own agency.

What You’ll Learn:

• The financial and operational impacts of vendor lock-in

• Strategies for evaluating and challenging complex support proposals

• How benchmarking and proposal analysis can uncover savings

• Case studies and AI tools that empower better decision-making

Don’t miss this important conversation—register for the webinar using the form provided below.

Moderator: MCP’s Steve Haberman, Sr. Technical Consultant

Steve is a Senior Project Manager for Mission Critical Partners and the consulting lead for MCP’s Wireless Team. With more than 34 years of industry experience, he has managed projects for state, regional, and local agencies nationwide, including radio system assessments and upgrades, PSAP consolidations, facility technology planning, and FirstNet readiness initiatives. As a public safety communications specialist, Steve’s background includes serving as a shift commander and communications supervisor, bringing operational insight to every engagement. His expertise spans PSAP technology, operations, and project management, enabling him to guide clients toward strategic, cost-effective outcomes. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration–Management Information Systems from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is certified as an Emergency Number Professional (ENP).

Speaker: MCP’s Nick Falgiatore, Manager Wireless Technologies

Nick is the Wireless Manager for Mission Critical Partners, leading a team of 15 engineers and consultants.  As a public safety wireless specialist, Nick has served more than 100 public safety clients ranging in size from small municipalities to state agencies. His experience encompasses all aspects associated with the implementation of public safety communications systems, including needs assessments, system procurements and implementation engineering support. He is also a subject matter expert with regard to FCC regulations and coverage modeling. Nick holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and is also a licensed Professional Engineer.

Guest Speaker: John O’Connor, Manager, MPD Communications Maintenance

With 32 years of experience as a Police and Fire Radio Technician, including the last 11 years as Shop Manager for the Memphis Police Department Communications Maintenance Bureau, John brings extensive technical and leadership expertise to his role. He began his career as an Electronics Technician in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk and U.S.S. John F. Kennedy, and spent the final three years of active duty as an electronics instructor at Naval Air Station Millington before transitioning to the Naval Reserves to complete his military service. In addition to his professional and military accomplishments, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2000.

Guest Speaker: Martin Baker, Deputy 911 Coordinator at Allegheny County Emergency Services

Martin Baker, Deputy 911 Coordinator for Allegheny County Emergency Services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has worked in the RF field for public utilities for twenty-nine years, providing telecommunications services on land mobile radio, analog and digital microwave platforms, fiber optics, telephone switch systems, and IP network systems on a 24/7 basis. For the past nine years, he has also delivered consulting and educational services in the public safety, utility, and railroad sectors, specializing in analog and digital conventional and simulcast radio systems as well as microwave backhaul systems.