Onondaga County federally granted $2.5 million for emergency communications improvement
New York state granted Onondaga County over $2.5 million to strengthen emergency communications, according to a Wednesday release. The grant money will strengthen 911 operations’ communications systems. Leonardo Eriman | Senior Staff Photographer
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Onondaga County received $2,548,800 through state funding to strengthen emergency communications, New York State Sen. Christopher Ryan announced in a Wednesday press release.
The funding is provided by the Targeted Grant Program through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant and will support 911 operations’ emergency communications systems and first responders. The Targeted Grant Program is intended to develop and enhance statewide emergency communications systems, according to the release.
“Every second counts in an emergency, and this investment will help ensure that when someone in Onondaga County calls 911, our first responders can communicate clearly, reliably and without interruption,” Ryan said in the release.
The funding will go toward police officers, EMTs, firefighters and dispatchers’ emergency response systems. More than $38 million was awarded to 17 counties and New York City in support of emergency communications projects, such as new equipment installation and system upgrades.
Onondaga County will be able to expand the capability of first responders to communicate directly across different jurisdictions, improve countywide coverage and coordination during critical incidents with the Targeted Grant Program, the release said.
The grant program is distributed by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to close gaps in emergency communications infrastructure, improve system resilience and implement operating procedures that support seamless communication for public safety defenders.
