By Thornical Press –
January 15, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a major investment in public safety today, awarding more than $38 million in state funding to 17 counties and New York City. The grants, aimed at improving emergency communications for first responders, are designed to ensure that the lines of communication remain clear and accessible during disasters and critical life-saving moments.
The funding is provided through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant (SICG) program, which supports local efforts to build and repair the radio towers that allow different emergency agencies to talk to one another. According to state officials, the program focuses on closing infrastructure gaps, fixing regional communication deficiencies, and supporting the implementation of National Interoperability Channels.
“Saving a life can come down to one call, and our first responders need to have the most reliable emergency communications systems to help their fellow New Yorkers during their most critical moments,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. She emphasized that investing in first responder readiness is “a matter of life and death” and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to prioritizing public safety across the state.
The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) will administer the awards under the combined 2024 and 2025 SICG Targeted Grant Program. These funds can be used for a variety of projects, including the installation of new equipment, the enhancement of communication channels between public safety radio systems, and interregional training exercises.
DHSES Commissioner Jackie Bray noted that the awards play a critical role in modernizing existing systems and fostering better coordination between counties and their partners. Among the largest recipients are Allegany, Clinton, Oneida, Putnam, Schoharie, Suffolk, Ulster, and New York City, each receiving $3 million to tackle high-priority upgrades such as core system replacements, new radio sites, and expanded network capacity.
Other significant awards include $2.5 million for Onondaga County to expand interoperability frequencies and $2 million for Sullivan County to upgrade repeaters and antennae systems. In Western New York, Chautauqua County was awarded $1.9 million for equipment upgrades, while Erie County received over $560,000 to improve regional connectivity. Smaller targeted grants, such as $183,000 for a backup generator in Yates County and $1 million for system components in Washington County, round out the state’s effort to fortify emergency infrastructure in both urban and rural corridors.
Thornical Press 