Eastern Shore Public Safety Radio System Marks Six Months in Service

The Eastern Shore of Virginia’s new regional public safety radio system has reached an important milestone, marking six months of operation since going live in January.

Regional 911 Director Jeff Flournoy updated Accomack board members on the $10 million communications network, known as the Eastern Shore Virginia Regional Radio System, or VARS. The system now serves firefighters, EMS crews, law enforcement agencies, and the region’s four public safety dispatch centers.

Funded through a combination of federal grants, local government contributions, 911 Commission reserves, and agency equipment purchases, the system is expected to support emergency communications for at least the next 15 years.

Flournoy says the transition has been largely successful. The new network has already been tested during several major emergencies, including large fires, critical law enforcement incidents, and a late-February blizzard. Throughout those events, the system provided reliable communications for first responders.

One of the biggest improvements is interoperability. Fire, EMS, local law enforcement, and Virginia State Police can now communicate more easily on the same network. Mutual aid agencies from Accomack and Northampton counties can also operate seamlessly across county lines, with additional coordination planned with neighboring Virginia Beach responders.

Despite the progress, officials say challenges remain. Some areas continue to experience weak portable radio coverage, particularly inside buildings. Emergency pager reception has also been inconsistent in a few locations, prompting the installation of signal boosters and plans for additional antenna systems to improve coverage.

Flournoy says crews are continuing to fine-tune the system while maintaining the older fire alerting network as a backup where needed. He says improving coverage and expanding the system’s capabilities will remain a priority as the region continues to build on its investment in public safety communications.

Flournoy thanked County Administrator Mike Mason for suggesting during the early planning phase of the project that the County seek a federal grant for the project.  The grant was approved and that provided $8.1 million for the project.