Broome Emergency Services Funds for Disaster Response, Not Grenades

Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware and Tioga County emergency services offices are getting tens of thousands of dollars in federal funding to support planning and operational readiness for any disaster.

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul last week announced a total of $7-million in the annual round of federal Emergency Management Performance Grant awards would be going toward local agencies’ work from acquiring emergency response resources to training. The news release from the Governor's office makes sure to stipulate some expenses that won't be allowed, however.

Broome is getting $78,233, Delaware: $22,516, Cortland: $23,011, Chenango: $23,428 and Tioga County: $23,664.

The funds can go toward planning, construction of operations centers, training and even equipment maintenance but cannot be used to purchase firearms, ammunition, grenade launchers or weaponized vehicles, vessels or aircraft of any kind, support the hiring of sworn public safety officers in specific cases or for projects unrelated to implementation of emergency management programs.

Governor Hochul noted increases in natural disasters over the past several years that are being linked to climate change have required more activation of emergency services response units.