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ALBANY (WENY) – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday $7.4 million in federal funding is available to New York State county emergency management agencies to support preparedness for any type of disaster.
The announcement comes in response to the damages New York has seen over the months due to natural disasters, especially Tropical Storm Fred and Hurricane Ida.
“This funding is critically important to communities in New York State as we continue to recover from the storm-related damages we have experienced over recent months,” she said. “As we are forced to deal with the devastating effects of climate change more regularly, I am confident that our local emergency management agencies will put this money to good use in preparing for future disasters.”
Awardees can access funding through an annual federal emergency management performance grant. However, in order to access the funding, they must develop projects that strengthen their own readiness to address all potential hazards.
The governor’s office also said the projects should focus on addressing any efforts identified by FEMA as needing national improvement, since the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will administer this funding on behalf of FEMA.
Once the money is obtained, agencies can then use it to support any efforts for improvement, including:
- Management and administration activities;
- Planning;
- Staffing for emergency management agencies;
- Equipment;
- Training and exercises;
- Construction and renovation of emergency operations centers; and
- Maintenance and sustainment of GIS and interoperable communications systems
Among the counties statewide Chautauqua County is slated to receive $54,250.
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