SURRY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) – Surry County is now live with a new mobile radio communication system, a project 15 years in the making.

According to county officials, the new system was implemented in applicable fleet vehicles, schools busses and fire apparatus’s after weeks of training, finally going live on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The new system hopes to improve public safety communication throughout the county.

“Our emergency communications will have stronger radio coverage (98%) throughout the county,” a Surry County official said. “Which means emergency services stakeholders, including sheriff, volunteer fire, rescue and bus drivers will now be able to communicate with the newest equipment critical to providing reliable and dependable communications when it is needed most.”

The updated system will also help communication between other jurisdictions in the event of a regional incident or natural disaster.

The $5.4 million project has been a topic of discussion throughout the county for at least 15 years, and the new system hopes to close the previous communication gaps.

A ribbon cutting event is planned, which will include a demonstration of the new system as well as a tour of the Surry County Rescue Squad & Emergency Operations Center.

A date for the event has yet to be announced, but will be open to the public.