Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that more than $38 million will be distributed to counties across New York State and New York City to strengthen the fiber-optic network infrastructure required for upgrading 911 centers to Next Generation 911 (NG911). Each county that applied, along with New York City, will receive $689,655 through the state’s Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet) Readiness Grant Program.
“Our 911 centers are the backbone of public safety and it’s crucial that the technology that supports them is upgraded to be the best it can be,” Governor Hochul said. “As we work toward the implementation of Next Gen 911, this funding will be critical for our local partners to make the upgrades necessary for helping ensure that every 911 call is answered quickly and effectively.”
The NG911 system represents a digital upgrade from analog networks currently used in most parts of New York. It enables emergency centers to process voice calls as well as text messages, photos, and videos. This modernized infrastructure aims to improve location accuracy, increase resilience, and enhance data sharing among dispatchers and first responders. The new system is expected to support stronger and more effective emergency response operations by handling various types of communication.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Terry O’Leary stated, “With technology ever evolving, expanding the ways in which New Yorkers can connect to 911 helps improve public safety and makes help more accessible. 911 operators are the first line of defense and it’s essential we ensure they have the resources they need to modernize their systems as we collectively work towards implementing NextGen 911 statewide.”
This funding follows a previous announcement by Governor Hochul regarding $85 million in grants aimed at providing counties with updated call handling equipment and software needed for NG911 environments.
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services coordinates efforts related to terrorism, natural disasters, threats, fires, and other emergencies throughout New York State. More information about their initiatives can be found on their Facebook page or by visiting dhses.ny.gov.
Residents can sign up for real-time emergency and weather alerts by texting their county or borough name to 333111 or learning more at dhses.ny.gov/emergency-alerts.