With the backing of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the county is hoping that changes.
Gillibrand, D-N.Y., has submitted a request on behalf of Cayuga County for $3 million in federal funding to support the construction of a new emergency operations center.
Riley Shurtleff, director of the Cayuga County Office of Emergency Services, told The Citizen that the previous emergency operations center was located in the Cayuga County Office Building, which closed in May 2024 .
Since the closure, the county instituted its backup plans to oversee incident responses. But with the continued closure of the office building and no updates on its future, the county is seeking a long-term solution for its emergency operations center.
Shurtleff explained why an emergency operations center is needed. It aids with coordination and preparedness, relays information to the public and oversees responses. Disaster recovery and mitigation is also a function of the center.
An emergency operations center, according to Shurtleff, must be located in an "essential facility" defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The building would be a civil defense-type structure that can withstand extreme weather events, such as flooding and tornadoes.
The previous emergency operations center was located in a bunker within the Cayuga County Office Building, which Shurtleff noted was built in the 1960s during the Cold War.
"A similar structure built today is no small feat," Shurtleff added. "An (emergency operations center) needs to be a designated, prepared and hardy facility that has full operational readiness at any moment."
Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Anna said in a statement provided to The Citizen that the funding requested by Gillibrand would be used for development and planning of a new emergency operations center. He confirmed the county is seeking to building the facility at its public safety campus on County House Road in the town of Sennett.
"This project fits into our long-term planning as we address long-term solutions to our operational needs that work to best serve our community and public safety needs," Anna said. "As Cayuga County continues to face fiscal challenges, I'd like to thank Senator Gillibrand for her support for this project and Cayuga County."
Gillibrand is asking for $3 million through the Congressionally Directed Spending process. Members of Congress submit requests that are reviewed by the House and Senate appropriations committees.
The funding is not guaranteed. The committees could include the $3 million or amend the amount in final spending bills. It's also possible they could deny the request.
As appropriators begin reviewing the requests, Gillibrand is committed to advocating for the funding.
"When emergencies strike, every second counts, and our local first responders must have the infrastructure and technology they need to keep Cayuga County safe," Gillibrand said in a statement to The Citizen. "I am proudly fighting to secure $3 million in federal funding for a state-of-the-art emergency operations center through the fiscal year 2027 appropriations process, and I will continue working hard alongside county leaders to push for this vital public safety project."
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