Floyd County held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday to launch its new emergency radio communications system.

The new 800 megahertz network boosted the county’s one radio site to 10.

Emergency director Scotty Hancock says the upgrade will improve communications between Floyd’s fire, police, and medical departments to benefit residents.

“Well it means they’re going to have a better response, they’re going to be able to feel safer because we don’t have anymore dead spots. We have the ability to talk between agencies, which enhances our public safety communications. “

A local sales tax funded the upgrade.

Hancock says it was in the works before tornadoes devastated Floyd County earlier this year.

Tags: Floyd County, emergency response, radio towers