New York’s Governor Cuomo recently announced that $75 million in state grant Round 3 funding will be available through Statewide Interoperability Communications Grants (SICG) to help 23 counties strengthen and improve their emergency communication systems. Cuomo said “These grants provide essential funding for improving emergency communications systems across the state”.
The aim is to expand communication functions with neighboring counties and first responders. Over the previous two rounds of SICG funding, $122 million has been awarded to counties across the state.
The SICG program is a multi-year competitive grant program funded by cellular surcharge revenue focused on developing regional partnerships and implementing operating procedures between counties and first response agencies.
Similar to previous SICG grant funding, these SICG applications must pertain to response-level emergency communications across multiple jurisdictions and agencies, including state agencies and must use non-proprietary open standards-based technologies and equipment. The grants will focus on minimizing gaps in interoperable communications by aligning technology acquisitions with operational use by first responders. The funding will be used to purchase equipment, provide training, and develop regionalization.
Eligible applicants must be from county governments and grant applications must be received by September 30, 2013. For more information, go to www.dhses.ny.gov/oiec/grants.
In addition to funding grants to help develop and improve emergency communications systems, legislation was signed into law in July to implement the NY-Text system. The NY-Text system allows for mass text messages to be sent to all wireless telephones in a chosen area before, during, or after an emergency. The legislation gives mobile service providers immunity for any consequences resulting from the transmission or failure to transmit an emergency alert when the provider acted reasonable and in good faith.