HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -
The City of Huntsville announced the purchase of 1,026 interoperability radios Thursday.
Officials said the radios will provide the highest level of communication for fire and police officials.
The APX 25, 700 MH digital radios will allow first responders to cover 204 square miles without a break in connection. A Department of Homeland Security grant financed the $3.35 million purchase.
Mayor Tommy Battle said the move was significant since the radio system in use was close to 23-years-old and analog while the new radios will be digital.
The new radios will eliminate "dead zones" in communication and drop outs. They will also provide additional safety and security features like panic buttons and shock and water resistance.
"We've had dead spots in the city over across the mountain, Hampton Cove area, South Parkway. Now that we've annexed a lot of property in Limestone County, this interoperability will give us the capability to talk without dead spots," said Huntsville Fire Chief Mike Sublett.
The new radios are equipped with a panic button that allows officers to instantly call for help.
They are shock and water resistant - something the fire department requires.
City leaders said the radios will provide the highest level of service for public safety officers, and they will be a critical tool in effectively communicating during large-scale disasters.
"This provides us with one radio that will allow us to talk to everybody, everybody throughout the state," said Battle.
"When you look at some of the past devastations, most recently 2011, this is the kind of opportunity that will certainly create an atmosphere that everyone will be on the same sheet of music," said Dr. Richard Showers, Huntsville city councilman.
Officials said the evident need for the radios was clear after the April 27 tornados.
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The City of Huntsville purchased over 1000 new digital radios.
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