(WNY News Now) Governor Kathy Hochul has announced more than $7.4 million in federal money to help New York City and its counties prepare for emergencies and be operationally ready.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated that county emergency management agencies in New York State have received over $7.4 million in federal funding to boost disaster response planning and operational preparation. This money supports initiatives ranging from the creation and execution of training and exercises to the acquisition of emergency response resources at the county level through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s yearly federal Emergency Management Performance Grant.
We’re going to keep stepping up our local emergency response activities and making sure all of our partners are ready for any kind of crisis,” Governor Hochul stated.Keeping New Yorkers safe is my first concern, and we are creating a safer, more resilient New York for all by investing in our local emergency management agencies today.
Counties must create projects or initiatives that improve their own preparedness and response capacities to handle all possible threats in order to be eligible for financing. Projects may concentrate on tackling areas that FEMA has determined require national improvement, such as planning for evacuation, logistics and distribution management, disaster financial management, housing for catastrophic disasters, and resilient communications.
County-level emergency management organizations are essential to preparedness and disaster response, according to Commissioner Jackie Bray of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. In order to assist keep their neighbors safe in the case of an emergency, our counties and New York will receive critical training and other tools thanks to this financing.
“Unprecedented natural and man-made disasters are becoming the new normal in New York State, and when they strike, county emergency management offices are the first line of defense in our communities,” stated NYSAC President Benjamin Boykin II. We appreciate the leadership and dedication of Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, and our congressional delegation from New York in making sure that our local first responders have the staffing, equipment, training, and planning they require to keep New Yorkers safe.
“As emergency managers, we have witnessed a tenfold increase in response volume over the last few years,” stated Zach Iscol, commissioner of emergency management for New York City. ranging from a worldwide pandemic to intense heat waves, hurricanes, and, more recently, drought and wildfires. We can continue to support our communities prior to, during, and following emergencies with this additional federal cash provided by Governor Hochul and FEMA.
Money can be utilized to help:
- Management and administration activities.
- Planning.
- Staffing for Emergency Management Agencies.
- Equipment.
- Training and exercises.
- Construction and renovation of Emergency Operations Centers.
- Maintenance and sustainment of GIS and interoperable communications systems.
The following is a list of award amounts that local emergency management agencies can receive:Grantee Award Sum115,836 in Albany County$21,354 in Allegany County$74,943 in Broome County$32,121 in Cattaraugus County$31,842 in Cayuga County$49,939 in Chautauqua County$34,623 in Chemung County$21,623 in Chenango County$33,107 in Clinton County$26,675 in Columbia County$21,478 in Cortland County$20,598 in Delaware County109,170 Dutchess County$340,921 in Erie CountyEssex County: $18,159$21,741 in Franklin County$23,772 in Fulton County$25,554 in Genesee County$21,873 in Greene County$6,798 in Hamilton County$26,171 in Herkimer County$46,089 in Jefferson County$14,358 in Lewis County$26,767 in Livingston County$28,944 in Madison County272,347 in Monroe County$22,437 in Montgomery CountyCounty of Nassau $496,356City of New York $3,104,347$79,865 in Niagara CountyOntario County $44,589 Oneida County $86,715 Onondaga County $172,748146,274 in Orange County$19,202 in Orleans CountyPutnam County ($39,382), Oswego County ($46,372), Otsego County ($25,602), Rensselaer County ($61,723), and Rockland County ($124,102)87,906 in Saratoga County$60,642 in Schenectady County$15,460 in Schoharie County$11,301 in Schuyler CountySt. Lawrence County: $43,197; Seneca County: 16,904$37,944 in Steuben County$542,171 in Suffolk County$32,678 in Sullivan County$22,058 in Tioga County$42,224 in Tompkins County$69,017 in Ulster County$28,141 in Warren County$26,580 in Washington County$37,134 in Wayne County$358,600 in Westchester County$19,268 in Wyoming CountyThe County of Yates$13,721$7,401,463 in total
On behalf of FEMA, this funding is administered by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) in New York State. To guarantee that these monies are made accessible as soon as feasible, DHSES will be in direct communication with the emergency management office in each jurisdiction.
“This $7.4+ million in federal funding will strengthen NY’s disaster resiliency and keep communities in every corner of New York prepared to respond to emergencies by increasing emergency response workers, purchasing more equipment, investing in training, and more,” stated Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. The funding will be distributed from Albany to Erie County. I’ve persisted in making sure FEMA’s Emergency Management Performance Grant program receives funds in the yearly federal budget because county emergency management agencies are essential to our efforts to keep communities safe throughout New York. I appreciate Governor Hochul’s efforts in making excellent use of these federal funds.
Concerning the Homeland Security and Emergency Services Division
To avoid, prevent, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and reduce catastrophes and other events, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services offers guidance, coordination, and assistance. Visit our website, follow us on Instagram or Twitter, or find us on Facebook for additional information.