Eastern Shore’s new $10 million 911 radio system performing well after six months, officials say

The Eastern Shore of Virginia’s new regional public safety radio system has been in operation for approximately six months and is performing successfully overall, despite some coverage challenges, according to Eastern Shore of Virginia 911 Commission Director Jeff Flournoy.

Flournoy provided an update to the Northampton Board of Supervisors Tuesday night, noting that the new Eastern Shore Virginia Regional Radio System became operational for fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies in mid-January 2026 after years of planning dating back to 2019. Northampton County Public Schools began using the system in December 2025.

The regional radio system was completed at a total cost of just over $10 million. Funding came from multiple sources, including a U.S. Department of Justice grant, a Congressional earmark from Congresswoman Elaine Luria, a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, local contributions from Accomack and Northampton counties, the 911 Commission’s fund balance, and purchases of radios and related equipment by participating agencies.

Flournoy said the project has now transitioned from implementation into a maintenance phase that is expected to last at least 15 years.

“Overall, the transition to the system has been successful, with some challenges,” Flournoy told commissioners.

Since January, the system has been used daily by dispatch centers, the Accomack and Northampton County Sheriff’s Offices, local police departments, fire and EMS agencies, and Eastern Shore 911 personnel. Flournoy said the network has already supported numerous large-scale fires, critical law enforcement incidents and other periods of heavy activity, including the late-February blizzard that affected the region.

One of the system’s biggest advantages is improved interoperability between agencies. Fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel can now communicate more easily with one another, while Virginia State Police can communicate directly with local law enforcement agencies on the system.

The new network also improves coordination with neighboring jurisdictions. Worcester County EMS units can operate directly with Accomack County units during incidents near the Maryland line, and Virginia Beach has programmed the Eastern Shore system into its radios to improve communications when personnel provide assistance on the Shore.

The system also offers numerous dedicated talk groups for different operational needs and includes the capability to encrypt sensitive radio communications when necessary.

Flournoy acknowledged that, while the system met its design specifications, no radio system can guarantee complete coverage in every location.

Several areas in Accomack and Northampton counties have experienced weaker portable radio reception, particularly inside buildings, with some isolated outdoor coverage issues as well. Pager reception for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel has also been weaker in some locations, making it more difficult for signals to reach pagers inside homes.

To address those concerns, agencies have begun using amplified pager chargers, and work is underway to install an outdoor distributed antenna system in the Wachapreague area, where some of the most significant coverage challenges have been identified.

Flournoy said improvements will continue as the system matures, including efforts to strengthen coverage where possible and expand use of the radio system’s additional capabilities.

When asked by Chairman Dixon Leatherbury about the extent of the coverage issues, Flournoy said mobile radios installed in vehicles provide essentially complete coverage throughout the Eastern Shore.

Portable radio coverage exceeds the project’s design goal of 95 percent when used outdoors, he said, although coverage inside structures is somewhat lower in some areas.