The first round of $5 million in radio equipment purchased by Schuylkill County commissioners for volunteer fire companies is poised to be delivered.

Commissioners signed off on the distribution Wednesday.One hundred and twenty-seven portable radios will be distributed to: East Norwegian Township Fire Company; Mount Carbon Fire Company; Citizens and East End fire companies, Palo Alto; Good Will Fire Company, Port Carbon; Good Intent, Phoenix, Humane, Good Will, West End Hose, Yorkville Hose & Fire, and American Hose, all of Pottsville; St. Clair Fire Company, Alert Fire Company, Columbia Hose Co., Rescue Hook & Ladder, Phoenix Hose, and West End Fire Company, all of St. Clair; Mar Lin Citizens Fire Company, Mar Lin; and Seltzer Hose Company, Seltzer.All of the companies have voted to accept and signed the agreements necessary to receive the equipment. County 911 Director Scott Krater said they will be getting portable radios first, after receiving training.For this first group, training is scheduled for March 23 at Yorkville Hose Company, Pottsville.The 25 mobile radios, which will be installed by the county's maintenance provider, Green's Communications, Pottsville, will come at a later date.The fire companies have been divided into eight groups, depending on where they are in the county, he said.Commissioners bought the equipment in a surprise move Dec. 24. The 1,140 mobile and portable radios, purchased through a state COSTARS contract with Motorola Solutions, will be given to each of the 110 fire companies in the county, and to those police and emergency medical services companies that need them.