29-01-2025
Counties to get emergency communications grants
Local counties will get state funding to improve their emergency communications.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced that $55 million would be awarded to 57 counties and New York City to bolster the state's emergency response and communications systems through two grants — a $45 million grant under the State Interoperable Communications Formula Grant Program and a $10 million grant under the Public Safety Answering Point Grant Program.
According to a news release from Hochul's office, both grant programs fall under the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant program, which provides reimbursement of funding to eligible counties to improve their emergency communication systems, and allocate funding to further enhance public safety call-taking and dispatching abilities. The combined $55 million will fund upgrades to the state's public safety answering points and communications system. "Funding will assist counties as they buy new equipment, upgrade their technology and improve training, and will encourage the development of Next Generation 911 technologies," the release stated.
Locally, Chenango County will get $494,618 under the SICG program and $165,794 under the PSAP program, Delaware County will get $667,382 under the SICG program and $165,193 under the PSAP program. Otsego County will get $715,946 under the SICG program and $173,737 under the PSAP program. Schoharie County will get County will get $475.133 under the SICG program and $114,623 under the PSAP program.
'Ensuring the safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and a reliable emergency dispatch system is critical for getting first responders where they're needed — fast,' Hochul said. 'This additional funding will strengthen emergency communications across the state, helping counties upgrade technology, improve training and enhance their response capabilities. I remain committed to advancing public safety efforts year after year, ensuring every community has the resources it needs and deserves.'
