FAQ - MiPi Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question? We are here to answer. If you do not see the answer to your question here, please drop us a line on our Contact page.

Is the MiPi just a Raspberry Pi that I can buy online?

The MiPi is a purpose built appliance. It does start with a standard Raspberry Pi, such as found on Amazon. However, we also add an operating system, software for management, backups, advanced programing interface configuration for secure communications to your other service providers, remote management, maintenance, and warranty. A MiPi is more than the hardware – it is the full life-cycle of training and technology services that we wrap around the initial circuit board.

I am a current I am Responding (IaR) customer. Is the MiPi setup and annual support subscription above and beyond the existing IaR?

Short answer is yes. The Two Tone Detect (TTD) feature is FREE, to active IaR agencies! I am Responding offers all of their features at one low price (For details on IaR prices, refer to their website. What MiPi Support is doing is providing you the technical IT resources, as a service, so that you can focus on your community. Let us focus on your technology.

I am a Ham Radio Operator or have strong technical people on my department. Can we do this without you?

ABSOLUTELY! I am Responding does provide fantastic and detailed instructions on how to set up TTD with equipment that you may even already have around your station. What MiPi support does for you is takes away all of the headaches of hardware installation, backups, operating system maintenance, software upgrades, hardware upgrades, hardware replacements due to failures, and brings to you our over 10 years of experience with liaising with I am Responding support. They have a fantastic team and they will take great care of you, if you do choose to tackle this on your own.

Can you show me what it looks like to see I am Responding (IaR) Two Tone Detect (TTD) in action?

You can learn a lot of details about I am Responding at the website for I am Responding.

Here is a video of IaR TTD, courtesy of the Adel (Iowa) Fire Department.

You mention I am Responding a lot. Do you work for them or are you affiliated in any way?

Matt Ireland and MiPi Support are not employed by I am Responding. As an approved IaR Ambassador, we do regularly work with the IaR support teams and, as needed, their executive leadership team. Through the many volunteer roles that Matt is involved in, he has continued to be a customer of I am Responding, for over 10 years. It probably goes without saying, during this past decade, we have formed a great collaborative working relationship that has certainly had a positive impact on a lot of Fire, EMS, and LEO organizations.

Does the MiPi do anything other than Two Tone Detect and I am Responding?

YES! Let’s discuss your IT technology needs. We have used the MiPi for many things, and have several use cases available, such as; in-station Display Kiosk, on premise file sharing, Visitor signage, video games (Mine Craft or retro games like Pac-Man), lobby music, FM Radio transmitter (Short distance for cars to tune to radio to hear messages as they drive by your station), weather station, home automation, Lobby Kiosks, Point of Sale applications, and much much more. Contact us to discuss a customized solution to fit your specific needs.

This all sounds great! What does it cost?

We strive for a value/delivery based price that is easy for you to budget for – fixed price – known value deliverables. You will know exactly what you are getting and not be concerned of an hourly rate over an indeterminate number of hours. Let’s collaborate on the exact solution that is fit for your organization’s purpose and we can quote you a fixed-fee, outcome based delivery.

I have my own technical people can we leverage your IT and Emergency Response experience in other ways?

We are always happy to expand our network. If you are looking for a partner to collaborate on other ways to maximize your technology investments, looking to learn more about how technology can help you, or other ways that you can be sure that “100 years of tradition is NOT unimpeded by progress”…CONTACT US. We would love to have a no obligation conversation about your specific questions and needs.

I am a Mi Pi Support agency. How do I configure TTD in my Agency’s IaR system?

If you are a current IaR and MiPi Support agency, the agency specific instructions for setting up your phone can be found in your IaR app. Click on the three lines in top left of your agency (In the IaR App). Click on Resources. Click on Department Resources. Open the “IaR Member Guide”.

My technical guru wants to run the IaR TTD software on our own gear and not use your service. Can you sell us the custom built MiPi without the optional support?

YES! We do have a limited quantity of the custom MiPi “kit”. This will come with the IaR and TTD software pre-loaded. We are also a authorized RealVNC reseller and can provide you a discounted RealVNC Connect license for you to manage your system remotely. Contact us so we can get you exactly what you need.