Schuyler receives $4.9M in state grant

Schuyler receives $4.9M in state grant

NEW YORK STATE--Gov. Kathy Hochul last week announced more than $62 million has been awarded to 14 counties through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant targeted program to strengthen emergency communications and interoperability infrastructure used by local first responders. The program, administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, provides funding to enhance public safety through improving and modernizing infrastructure, addressing communications deficiencies, implementing national interoperability channels, and boosting regional connectivity between counties and systems.
Interoperability gives first responders the ability to share information and data in real-time during an emergency. The SICG targeted program is a non-competitive grant program designed to improve the status of land mobile radio interoperability for New York's public safety agencies. Funding is distributed to eligible applicants that have insufficient coverage or infrastructure channels or to improve shared systems. The maximum available award to each recipient is $6 million with only one application being accepted per county. Prior to issuing the awards, DHSES reviewed applications and provided technical assistance to applicants upon request.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "Funding public safety partners is core to our agency's mission. These grants will help counties in upstate regions make upgrades to their emergency communications systems. New York's first responders need the highest-quality tools and resources to ensure communications are effective throughout an emergency response."
The SICG Targeted Grant will fund local projects that enhance interoperability through expansion of shared systems in the Capital Region, Central New York and the Southern Tier, and the expansion of common radio channels in the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes. Local award winners included Schuyler County at $4,888,663, Chemung with $3,584,452 and Steuben getting $5,846,500.