County contracts to modernize emergency communications system
NORWICH - Chenango County officials have entered a $476,000 contract with a professional telecommunications consulting firm, inching them one step closer toward implementing a $12 million communications equipment upgrade for local emergency management.
The County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Monday authorizing a contract with New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC), a telecommunications consultant under contract with the New York State Office of General Service.
Officials point to the firm’s expertise in overhauling communication systems - something they say is needed to improve efficiency of emergency management county-wide. The project includes construction of several new communications tower sites, new radio channels to boost communications among jurisdictions and agencies, and improving the county’s 911 communications center with new equipment.
“We have used their engineers before. We’ve had contracts with them before our existing radio system,” Chenango County Emergency Management Director Matt Beckwith told members of the county’s Safety and Rules Committee at their June meeting.
Beckwith said his department, in a previous project, had worked directly with the firm consultant tasked with the ongoing upgrade project, and that gives the county an edge. “He’s very much familiar with our county and our radio system,” said Beckwith.
Consultation is covered by a $6 million grant awarded by New York State to Chenango County in 2018 for the specific purpose of upgrading the communications system used by emergency personnel. The grant closed phase one of the state’s interoperable communications targeted grant program.
County officials are awaiting results of an additional $6 million grant applied for through the same program earlier this year. If awarded, it will pay the remainder of the $12 million upgrade.
The county’s current radio system was built 20 years ago, making it difficult to find replacement parts from manufacturers. The county’s outdated radio antennas are also at maximum capacity which makes it impossible for emergency management to add radio systems.
Beckwith said that if the county is awarded the full $12 million for upgrades, he plans on connecting with Broome and Madison counties’ systems.
New York’s interoperable communications grant program has awarded $500 million to 57 counties and New York City since 2010. In addition to vital upgrades, funding supports training and exercises to improve regional communications, cooperation, and emergency response.
The County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Monday authorizing a contract with New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC), a telecommunications consultant under contract with the New York State Office of General Service.
Officials point to the firm’s expertise in overhauling communication systems - something they say is needed to improve efficiency of emergency management county-wide. The project includes construction of several new communications tower sites, new radio channels to boost communications among jurisdictions and agencies, and improving the county’s 911 communications center with new equipment.
“We have used their engineers before. We’ve had contracts with them before our existing radio system,” Chenango County Emergency Management Director Matt Beckwith told members of the county’s Safety and Rules Committee at their June meeting.
Beckwith said his department, in a previous project, had worked directly with the firm consultant tasked with the ongoing upgrade project, and that gives the county an edge. “He’s very much familiar with our county and our radio system,” said Beckwith.
Consultation is covered by a $6 million grant awarded by New York State to Chenango County in 2018 for the specific purpose of upgrading the communications system used by emergency personnel. The grant closed phase one of the state’s interoperable communications targeted grant program.
County officials are awaiting results of an additional $6 million grant applied for through the same program earlier this year. If awarded, it will pay the remainder of the $12 million upgrade.
The county’s current radio system was built 20 years ago, making it difficult to find replacement parts from manufacturers. The county’s outdated radio antennas are also at maximum capacity which makes it impossible for emergency management to add radio systems.
Beckwith said that if the county is awarded the full $12 million for upgrades, he plans on connecting with Broome and Madison counties’ systems.
New York’s interoperable communications grant program has awarded $500 million to 57 counties and New York City since 2010. In addition to vital upgrades, funding supports training and exercises to improve regional communications, cooperation, and emergency response.
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