Emergency planning efforts in the region are getting a boost with more funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. 

New York State Officials have announced $7.6 million in federal funding has been awarded to emergency management agencies to support planning and operational readiness for disaster response. 

The FEMA money will support efforts ranging from the development and implementation of training and exercises to acquiring emergency response resources at the county level. 

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the funding on Friday, October 14. 

Broome County is being awarded $80,641, Chenango County $24,034, Cortland County $23,603, Delaware County, $23,092, Tioga County $24,278 and Tompkins County $43,297. 

According to the Governor’s office, the funding can be used to support: 

  1. Management and administration activities. 
  2. Planning. 
  3. Staffing for Emergency Management Agencies. 
  4. Equipment. 
  5. Training and exercises. 
  6. Construction and renovation of Emergency Operations Centers. 
  7. Maintenance and sustainment of GIS and interoperable communications systems. 

The counties have to develop projects or initiatives that strengthen their readiness and response capabilities addressing all potential hazards. 

FEMA has identified logistics and distribution management planning, disaster financial management, catastrophic disaster housing and communications that can be maintained in disaster emergencies as efforts needing national improvement. 

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, which administers funding on behalf of FEMA, was reported to be contacting each jurisdiction’s emergency management office directly to make sure the funds announced on October 14 are made available as quickly as possible. 

The $7.6 million is part of an annual federal Emergency Management Performance Grant.

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New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jacki Bray says the DHSES relies on partnerships at the local level with Office of Emergency Management staff and county management officials to quickly and appropriately respond to disasters with the federal fund helping counties enhance their preparedness efforts.

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