Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $ 45 million in state grants has been awarded to counties in the state and New York City to improve the operability of emergency communications throughout State. This funding will allow local governments to expand their ability to communicate, share valuable data, and streamline information to improve collaboration and assist first responders.

“One of the keys to a successful emergency response is a communications structure that all responders can rely on to relay important information and improve overall response activities.” Governor Hochul said. “This grant will ensure our firefighters, police, paramedics, and anyone responding to disasters, the tools and training they need to communicate more effectively and efficiently. “

The State Grant for Interoperable Communications, administered by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, has provided municipalities $ 472 million in nine cycles since December 2011.

The statewide interoperable communications grant is formula-based and funded by cell overload revenues. The program has enabled counties to make vital improvements to the way first responders can communicate with each other and different parts of the state using land mobile radio systems.

Each county and New York City can submit applications for funding projects involving infrastructure, equipment, and technology improvements. Eligible counties can use the funding for various functions, including improving emergency response for county, local and municipal public safety organizations, improving capacity, improving governance structures, procedures operations, infrastructure development and processing SAFECOM directives from the US Department of Homeland Security. emergency communications. This year, several counties are adding national interoperability channels to the infrastructure, as well as the construction of new towers and new land mobile radio systems, and are moving to P25 technologies and equipment.

State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Patrick A. Murphy said, “Our emergency responders depend on robust and secure communication systems that connect them to vital information and services. Sharing information among stakeholders helps New Yorkers get the help they need most when it matters most. Our staff remain committed to ensuring effective emergency communications capabilities across the state and working with our partners to build a stronger, more resilient and more reliable emergency communications infrastructure. “

The prices of state grants for interoperable communications for fiscal year 2020 are below: