Local counties are among 57 New York counties receiving grants from the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services through the Public Safety Answering Points Operations Grant for 911 services.

Public safety facilities known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS) or 911 centers receive incoming calls for help and initiate the dispatching of emergency services.  Throughout most of the state, counties handle most of 911 answering and dispatching operations.  The grant is designed to offset the cost of having the counties perform these vital services.

New York State affords all PSAPS the opportunity to apply for the annual funding that is administered based on call volumes, operational scope, demographics and the ability to maintain set protocols.  Of the $10 million awarded, Columbia County received $154,217, Dutchess received $163,100, Orange received $162,755 and Putnam County received $114,462.

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