Schuylkill County will spend about $5 million to equip every fire company in the county with the new digital radios.

The purchase of the 1,140 radios was made through Motorola, under a seven-year lease purchase program.

The first payment is not due until 2017, and the county has plans in place to help offset the cost.

"The more than 100 fire companies in the counties are very grateful. This kind of support is wonderful. It's awesome," said West Penn Township Fire Chief Clint Schock.