New York’s Orange County has been awarded nearly $6 million to improve emergency communications.
County officials say the more than $5.9 million grant from the New York State Division of Homeland Security, Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications will be used to upgrade the county’s communication infrastructure. The upgrades will include additional tower sites, a new simulcast microwave system, and connections with neighboring counties via the National Emergency Channels. These improvements will enhance emergency communications by reducing dead spots and improving paging coverage for first responders. Orange County’s emergency services commissioner says the money will help improve both intra- and inter-county communications between emergency responders and the county’s 9-1-1 Center.