CHARLESTON, W.VA., (WSAZ) -- Scanner listenters in the Kanawha Valley have been listening to a little less traffic. That's because the Charleston Police Department Traffic Division has moved to a digital channel.

It means what officers are hearing is crystal clear and it reaches more corners of the city than ever before.

What it means for you and your family is the ability for officers to respond to emergency calls quicker.

Sergeant Shawn Williams says it means not having to prioritize calls as often.

"It's taken all that radio traffic off our police channel and allows dispatchers and patrol officers to respond to 911 in a quicker fashion create service for the citizens, " Sgt. Williams said.

The fire department switched to a digital channel this past week. The Charleston Regatta is expected to be the first big test for interdepartmental communication. You might remember that's what first responders didn't have when they tried to rescue people during the September 11th attacks.