Photo: Getty Images
Central New York counties, including Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego, are set to receive a share of over $7.4 million in federal funding. The funds, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be used to support emergency planning and response efforts, such as training, equipment acquisition, and staffing. The announcement was made by Governor Kathy Hochul, who emphasized the importance of investing in local emergency management agencies to ensure the safety and resilience of New York State.
The funding is part of the annual federal Emergency Management Performance Grant, which aims to strengthen readiness and response capabilities at the county level to address potential hazards. Projects funded may focus on areas identified by FEMA as needing national improvement, including logistics and distribution management planning, evacuation planning, disaster financial management, catastrophic disaster housing, and resilient communications.
Governor Hochul said, “We continue to strengthen our local emergency response efforts and ensure our partners across every level are prepared for whatever disaster comes our way. My top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe, and with today’s investment in our local emergency management agencies, we are building a safer, stronger New York for everyone.”
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) will administer the funding on behalf of FEMA. DHSES will work directly with each jurisdiction's emergency management office to ensure that these funds are made available as quickly as possible.