New York Funds Statewide Radio Upgrades To Help Police, Fire, EMS Communicate During Disasters

Albany, N.Y. — New York is sending more than $38 million to 17 counties and New York City to upgrade the radio and interoperability systems first responders rely on during major emergencies, improvements state officials say can help police, fire and EMS coordinate faster when disasters disrupt normal communications.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the awards Thursday through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant’s targeted program, administered by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. The funding is aimed at closing infrastructure gaps, improving redundancy and resiliency, and expanding access to National Interoperability Channels used for cross-agency coordination.

Projects include upgrades to consoles, repeaters and core systems; new interoperability radio sites; and expanded channels across multiple frequency bands. New York City’s award supports upgrades to the NYPD’s P25 trunking system, intended to improve capacity and coverage while reducing interference, according to the state.

Among the largest awards are $3 million each for Allegany, Clinton, Oneida, Putnam, Schoharie, Suffolk and Ulster counties, as well as New York City. Other grants range from $183,000 for a backup generator upgrade in Yates County to $2.58 million for Onondaga County’s interoperability expansion.

For families, the upgrades are designed to reduce communication breakdowns that can complicate storm response, evacuations, hazardous-material incidents, and large-scale power outages, situations that can affect school operations and transportation. Parents can also sign up for real-time emergency and weather text alerts by texting their county or borough to 333111, the state said.

State officials said counties and New York City were eligible to apply, and awardees can use funds for equipment, channel enhancements, and training and exercises to improve interregional readiness.

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