Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response Awarded
Over $2 million for Emergency Communications Upgrades
Poughkeepsie, NY… The Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response has been awarded $2,048,758 in grant funding from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for emergency communications upgrades. The funding comes as a result of the fourth round of the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant (SICG).
Through this grant funding, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response will be able to upgrade radio dispatch consoles, improving connectivity and interoperability across all disciplines of emergency response. The new consoles will allow for a significant increase in the number of frequencies, and the purchase of two new mobile dispatch radio consoles will allow for mobile dispatch from any alternate facility. Additionally, grant funding will be used to replace the county’s aging microwave radio system which is utilized by both the Department of Emergency Response and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. The upgraded system will increase radio interoperability between jurisdictions as it can be utilized by other agencies and will allow for radio communications between municipalities and other counties.
“Public safety is one of the foremost responsibilities of county government,” Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro said. “This grant funding will make these important upgrades possible and as a result we will be able to make emergency communication more efficient, which is an absolutely essential component of providing public safety. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner John Melville for making these funds available and for selecting Dutchess County as one of the beneficiaries.”
This grant process was very competitive, and Dutchess County was one of just 17 counties to receive an award in this round of funding. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services received the highest number of applications for this round of funding since the program began in 2011.
