Dutchess recieves $616,793 in State Grant Funding to Improve Emergency Communications

 

State Funding Will Improve Emergency Response by Enhancing Emergency Communication Networks

Follows Recent $10 Million State Grant Award to Support Emergency Services Dispatching

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $45 million in state grant funding has been awarded to 57 counties and New York City for emergency communications. This funding enables local governments to expand their emergency response capabilities to enhance public safety operations. The 2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant program supports nine Regional Communications Consortiums that focus on improving critical emergency communications across the state, as well as coordination between counties, state and federal agencies.

“In an emergency, every second counts and it’s critically important that first responders have the tools and resources they need to receive information fast to help New Yorkers in their time of need,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will help us create a stronger, safer New York for all.”

“Emergency communications are vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of New Yorkers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “In addition to state grants provided for county dispatch operations, this funding will further improve emergency response by enhancing communication networks in counties across the state. We’re making sure that municipalities have the technology they need to improve emergency systems and operate efficiently.”

State Interoperable Communications Grant

The State Interoperable Communications Grant, administered by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, has awarded more than $450 million in seven rounds to 57 counties and New York City since 2010.  The Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant is formula based and funded by cellular surcharge revenue. The program has allowed counties to make vital improvements in the way first responders can communicate between each other and different regions of the state using land mobile radio systems.

Each county and New York City can submit applications to fund projects involving infrastructure, equipment and technology upgrades. Eligible counties can use this funding for a variety of functions, including expanding radio coverage by installing new equipment at towers and antenna sites, implementing Next Generation 911 technologies and standards, setting up communication channels among public safety radio systems, consolidating emergency services dispatch centers, supporting the operations of public safety dispatch centers, and deploying new technology that help counties link their systems together. Additionally, this funding will support training and exercises to promote efficient inter-regional communications, cooperation, and overall first responder readiness.

The fiscal year 2018 State Interoperable Communications grant awards are below:

County

Award Amount

  County

Award Amount

Albany

$1,276,449

Niagara

$669,712

Allegany

$889,690

Oneida

$857,631

Broome

$678,019

Onondaga

$1,274,666

Cattaraugus

$674,160

Ontario

$621,204

Cayuga

$806,629

Orange

$802,256

Chautauqua

$639,301

Orleans

$403,172

Chemung

$541,201

Oswego

$844,821

Chenango

$534,819

Otsego

$796,814

Clinton

$646,188

Putnam

$460,753

Columbia

$476,985

Rensselaer

$746,423

Cortland

$964,140

Rockland

$825,122

Delaware

$497,400

Saratoga

$812,919

Dutchess

$616,793

Schenectady

$669,427

Erie

$1,106,090

Schoharie

$455,260

Essex

$782,665

Schuyler

$382,595

Franklin

$681,121

Seneca

$411,692

Fulton

$471,118

St. Lawrence

$811,132

Genesee

$664,778

Steuben

$776,687

Greene

$438,850

Suffolk

$1,007,048

Hamilton

$544,803

Sullivan

$685,016

Herkimer

$595,532

Tioga

$450,221

Jefferson

$612,697

Tompkins

$680,422

Lewis

$682,650

Ulster

$575,721

Livingston

$667,855

Warren

$522,261

Madison

$763,731

Washington

$771,550

Monroe

$1,683,479

Wayne

$488,881

Montgomery

$423,415

Westchester

$569,661

Nassau

$1,009,797

Wyoming

$456,166

New York City

$5,448,636

Yates

$351,776

Governor Cuomo recently announced $10 million in grants awarded to localities across the state to support emergency response operations. The 2018-2019 Public Safety Answering grant funds will allow municipalities in 57 counties and New York City to make improvements to their 911 response and emergency service dispatch operations.  The annual PSAPs grant allows for state reimbursement to counties for eligible public safety call-taking and dispatching expenses.

Roger L. Parrino, Sr., Commissioner of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, said, “This annual grant not only provides financial support to the public safety community, but also includes guidance for adopting new technologies and best practices for improving emergency response.”

About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services  provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism, natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

Author: Harlem Valley News