Harckham Announces $6 Million of State Funding for Emergency Communications in Putnam

Carmel, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that Putnam County has been awarded $6 million in state funding to improve emergency communications infrastructure and public safety operations.

The funding, which is part of Phase 2 of the 2018 Statewide Interoperable Communications Targeted Grant Program, will enable the county to add six new communications tower sites and add new radio channels to enhance communications between the county’s fire / EMS services, Putnam County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Department, school districts and municipal police departments. 

“Strengthening its emergency communications capabilities between multiple jurisdictions and agencies will help safeguard the residents of Putnam County,” said Harckham. “Also, the additional funding from the state for these infrastructure enhancements lessens costs for municipalities and taxpayers.”

New York State has awarded more than $500 million of Interoperable Communications grants to 57 counties and New York City since 2010. The program has allowed counties to make vital improvements in the way first responders can communicate between each other and different regions of the state using land mobile radio systems.

The grants have funded communications upgrades that include expanding radio coverage by installing new equipment at towers and antenna sites; implementing Next Generation 911 technologies and standards; setting up communication channels among public safety radio systems; consolidating emergency services dispatch centers; supporting the operations of public safety dispatch centers; and deploying new technology that helps counties link their systems together.