Sen. Foley Announces Major Funding to Increase Emergency Preparedness in the Town of Islip

$103,000 grant, secured by Foley, to go towards upgrading emergency communications system

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point) and Town of Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan announced a major grant to go toward the Town of Islip’s Emergency Management. Sen. Foley has successfully secured a $103,000 state grant to upgrade the communications system used to coordinate emergency service responders.  

Thanks to the grant, the Town of Islip will be able to purchase a state-of-the-art system that can facilitate all forms of communication including data (pictured below), voice, and wireless for emergency responders. The new communications apparatus, known as Cisco ISR Based Instant Communications Solution (iComm), is particularly important because it’s a mobile system, not connected to the power grid. Therefore, it can be rapidly deployed for emergency purposes even if there is a power outage.  

“I am pleased to secure this crucial grant because when it comes to emergency preparedness, we simply cannot take any chances,” said Foley. “The new communications system purchased using this grant money will be vital in helping our hard-working  first-responders coordinate operations. It will be accessible, free-of-charge, to fire departments, ambulance services, and other emergency service providers throughout the Town of Islip.” 

The communications system will be administered by the Town of Islip’s Division of Emergency Management in coordination with the Dept. of Information Technology. It will have the capability of being mounted on a vehicle and transported as needed.  

“Disaster and emergency preparation are vital services we must provide to our constituents and we cannot ever let unpreparedness force us into failure,” said Supervisor Nolan. “I thank Senator Foley for securing these funds and for recognizing that proper emergency management is an immeasurable asset to the residents of Islip Town and to the residents of any other municipality that may benefit from our preparedness.”