Governor Hochul Announces $55 Million Available to Enhance Public Safety and Emergency Communications Systems

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $55 million grant opportunity for improvement and maintenance of the state's emergency communications systems and public safety answering points. The $45 million State Interoperable Communications Formula Grant (SICG-Formula) allows the State to reimburse eligible counties for various activities associated with emergency communication systems statewide. The $10 million Public Safety Answering Point Operations Grant Program allows counties to receive State support for eligible public safety call-taking and dispatching expenses.

"Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority, and ensuring an effective response during emergency situations where every second counts means having the right tools and support for critical systems such as emergency communications systems," Governor Hochul said. "This funding is critical to strengthening New York's emergency response capabilities, and I encourage County officials throughout the State to take advantage of these funding opportunities to ensure first responders have the resources they need to keep our communities safe."

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "When disaster strikes, it's critical first responders are able to clearly communicate with one another as they work to protect communities and save lives. Through this funding, public safety partners will be able to implement the key infrastructure and technology upgrades that are essential for strengthening local response postures and building safer communities."

Applications are now open and the deadline for both the SICG-Formula and the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) programs is Monday, June 26, 2023.

For more information on both grant opportunities, please visit the DHSES Grants webpage.

Governor Hochul previously announced additional investments and measures to improve Statewide emergency response services from the FY 2024 Budget, including:

• $105 million to upgrade the State Emergency Operations Center, which serves as the State's centralized location where emergency preparedness and response activities are coordinated for all major emergencies.
• $25 million to provide capital grants to volunteer fire departments for construction, renovation, or purchase of facilities and equipment.
• $20 million to assist counties in transitioning to Next Generation 911 via a fiberoptic cable network that would connect to a single Public Service Answering Point in each county.
• $10 million to provide a State-funded stipend to volunteer firefighters who complete foundational training.

State Interoperable Communications Formula Grant (SICG-Formula)

The State Interoperable Communications Formula Grant (SICG-Formula) focuses on minimizing gaps in interoperable communications by aligning technology acquisitions with its operational use by first responders, providing the foundation necessary to accomplish a high level of interoperability. The grant allows the State to reimburse eligible expenses that aids localities in sustaining and improving communications systems and components, training and exercises, and governance structures. It also supports county public safety organizations in enhancing emergency response, improving on capability and performance results from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Emergency Communications Plan, improving operating procedures and infrastructure development, and addressing SAFECOM guidance from the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

A total of $45 million in SICG-Formula grant funding is available to eligible counties and New York City.

Public Safety Answering Point Operations Grant (PSAP)

The Public Safety Answering Point Operations Grant (PSAP) is noncompetitive and allocates money by a formula which distributes funding evenly among awardees based on several varying criteria, including operational scope, demographic elements, emergency services call metrics, deployment of new technology, and adherence with State and national guidelines for emergency communications. The grant supports an awardee's existing operations and encourages the development of Next Generation 911 (NG911) technologies and the Geographic Information System (GIS) data needed for NG911. The PSAP grant also promotes the development of operational and procedural efficiencies and overall collaboration between different jurisdictions, such as other counties and state agencies.

The State Budget for 2022-23 appropriates $10 million in grants to eligible applicants in support of operations and improvements of PSAPs. The State provides reimbursement for operating expenses, including personnel costs.