Dozens of first responders, including dispatchers, deputies, police officers, state troopers, firefighters and EMS personnel gathered in Adel for a bill signing Wednesday.

Governor Terry Branstad signed Senate Bill 2336 into law in the Dallas County Board of Supervisors meeting room.

Branstad says the bill was 15 years in the making and not without controversy because it is relatively expensive.  However, he feels it’s beneficial due to the potential to save lives.

“You never know when you’re going to have an emergency, and we’ve had our share of them.  So this is going to be something that is going to be a very effective tool for law enforcement and firefighters and first responders.  So we’re very excited about it and we want to congratulate Dallas County for being the first, and we’re looking forward to seeing this happen all over the state of Iowa.  I know there’s a lot of interest, a lot of anticipation and a lot of excitement about this.”

The bill will create and fund a statewide interoperable communications system.

The project comes with a $40 million price tag for infrastructure and costs around $58 million total.  It will be paid for through the emergency 911 fund which comes from charges Iowans pay on their land lines and cell phones.