In this line of work, every second counts.

Steve Bair, Fire Director, Centre Council of Governments, says, “We do whatever we can to literally shave seconds off response time. A few seconds could be the different between life or death, that is absolutely true."

And so Tuesday, the Alpha Fire Company unwrapped some brand new digital radios. They will reduce interference from cell phones and other devices and allow more firefighters to communicate at one time. Firefighters say it’s a big step in the right direction

Bair adds, “It will get us better information, and more of it sooner, and get us dispatched quicker."

The radios are part of an umbrella grant that is expanding and improving the Centre County 911 center as a whole. The grant allows for several other fire companies in Centre County to get the new radios. The money will also go towards doubling the number of 911 dispatchers who tell the firefighters when and where the emergencies are.

Bair notes, "The dispatch of an emergency situation is only as quick as the person who is taking the call. So the more people who can take calls, the more people who can initiate the call process are extremely helpful."