Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday that $20 million in grant funding will be dispatched to eligible counties for fortifying their emergency communication systems.
The allocation, part of a targeted grant program providing reimbursements, aims to augment the land mobile radio interoperability of public safety agencies within the state and in neighboring states.
“This grant funding will help ensure our communities across the state have the modern communication tools they need to act quickly and effectively to protect New Yorkers and save lives,” Hochul emphasized.
This is part of the state’s broader initiative to enhance local emergency responses. The state budget, approved in May, includes $105 million for upgrading the State Emergency Operations Center and grants for volunteer fire departments for construction, renovation, and equipment purchasing. An extra $10 million is allocated for stipends for volunteer firefighters upon completion of foundational training.
Also, $20 million is earmarked for developing a “Next Generation” 911 network. New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray highlighted, “Communications are the backbone of emergency response and this funding will improve our public safety equipment across the board.”
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