$34 Million for New York City Metro Area Emergency Communications

Governor David A. Paterson has announced that $34 million in homeland security grant funds have been awarded to the New York City urban area as part of the federal government's Urban Area Security Initiative. The funds are made available through the federal Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program that will help fire, police and other first responders better communicate during emergencies.

The New York City Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) includes NYC, Yonkers, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The region will receive the $34 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). With the award of the PSIC grant, the NYC UASI region can now begin using the funds to advance several critical communication initiatives, including:

• Technology to enhance communication within the MTA tunnel system;

• A shared communication platform for the first responder agencies within the region and gateway technology to integrate some of the existing legacy systems into the overall communications effort; and

• Enhanced public safety communications technology within the Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) Railroad system.

"Communication is the cornerstone of effective emergency response," said Governor Paterson. "This funding will enhance the State's communications capabilities and I'm encouraged to see that the Department of Homeland Security recognizes the importance of supporting first responders in the New York City metro region."

New York City Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno said: "The PSIC funding is critical to continuing our efforts to bolster emergency communications. Since 2001, New York City has worked with our state and regional partners to evaluate our interoperable communications needs, and this federal grant will allow the region to further improve our emergency communications infrastructure."

The PSIC grant funding is administered through the State Office of Homeland Security (OHS) which helps public safety agencies purchase and deploy communications equipment, as well as develop and implement plans and procedures for the use of interoperable communications systems.

Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Michael Balboni said: "The 9/11 Commission determined it is essential to improve first responder communications. New York's citizens will ultimately benefit from the enhancements these funds will pay for. This is an example of federal, state and local government working in partnership."

OHS Director F. David Sheppard said: "We are pleased that the NTIA and DHS are supporting vitally important efforts towards communications interoperability. We have worked diligently since September 11th to improve the capability of first responders to communicate with each other in a crisis and we remain committed to providing first responders with the tools they need to be effective in responding to an emergency."