"New York remains steadfast in our commitment to providing our first responders with the tools they need to respond quickly and efficiently to emergencies," Governor Cuomo said. "This critical funding will allow counties to make necessary upgrades to their emergency service dispatch operations, creating a safer, more secure Empire State."
"Emergency response services ensure the safety and well-being of residents across the state," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This funding will help municipalities upgrade their 911 response and dispatch operations to increase public safety and enhance overall quality of life. We are committed to making sure communities have the resources and technology they need to improve emergency communications and operate efficiently."
Public safety facilities known as Public Safety Answering Points receive calls for help and initiate dispatching of emergency services. Throughout the state, counties provide the majority of 911 answering and dispatching operations, and coordinate services among municipal, county, and state responders. The annual grant allows for state reimbursement to counties for eligible public safety operating and dispatching expenses. All counties and New York City are eligible to apply to receive grant funds.
County operators can use the funding in many ways, including operating expenses, upgrades to dispatching technology and investment in services, such as text messaging, data communication and geo-location. Since the program's inception in 2010, counties have applied the funding to upgrades, including implementing text-to-911 services. This year, six counties added text-to-911 services to their emergency response resources, bringing the total number of counties with text-to-911 service up to 34 - more than 50 percent of all counties in the state.
