Dec. 2 – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that more than $7.4 million in federal funding has been awarded to county emergency management agencies in New York State to support disaster response planning and operational preparedness. Through the annual federal Emergency Management Performance Grant provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, this funding supports efforts ranging from the development and implementation of training and exercises to acquiring emergency response resources at the county level, according to a news release from Hochul’s office .
“We continue to strengthen our local emergency response efforts and ensure that our partners at every level are prepared for whatever disaster comes our way,” Hochul said. “My top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe, and with today’s investments in our local emergency management agencies, we are building a safer and stronger New York for everyone.”
Chenango County will get $21,623, Delaware County will get $20,598, Otsego County will get $25,602 and Schoharie County will get $15,460.
To receive funding, counties must develop projects or initiatives that strengthen their own preparedness and response capabilities to address all potential hazards, the release said. Projects may focus on addressing efforts identified by FEMA as requiring national improvement, including logistics and distribution management planning, evacuation planning, disaster financial management, catastrophic disaster housing, and resilient communications.
Commissioner of the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Jackie Bray said, “County-level emergency management agencies play a critical role in preparedness and disaster response. This funding will help our counties and New York receive important training and other resources to meet their to help keep neighbors safe in an emergency.”
The funding can be used to support:
—Management and administrative activities;
-Planning;
—Personnel for emergency management agencies;
-Equipment;
—Training and exercises;
—Construction and renovation of emergency operations centers;
—Maintenance and maintenance of GIS and interoperable communications systems.
The state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services administers this funding on behalf of FEMA. DHSES will contact each jurisdiction’s emergency management agency directly to ensure funds are made available as quickly as possible, the news release said.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “County emergency management agencies are at the core of our efforts to keep communities across New York safe. That is why I have continued to ensure that there is funding for FEMA’s Emergency Management Performance Grant program in the Annual Annual Funding. I am grateful for Governor Hochul’s work in putting these federal dollars to good use.”
