NORWICH – The Chenango County Office of Emergency Services (OES) is slated for $1.3 million in state grant funds which safety officials say will help shore up vital communications infrastructure in the area.

Money awarded to Chenango is part of a broader $110 million in funds awarded to local emergency departments across New York State. The influx of money will help departments improve emergency communications systems and build up public safety call-taking and dispatching means.

Chenango County is set to receive funding via two combined state-sponsored emergency communication programs. Awards consist of $968,750 through the statewide interoperable communications grant (SICG) program, and an additional $310,180 through the public safety answering points (PSAP) operations grant program.

Statewide, $90 million is being awarded through the SICG program to support local departments’ efforts to bolster communications networks and land mobile radio systems, maintain equipment, and provide training that’s focused on improving communications.

Another $20 million in PSAP state-sponsored funds are designated to support county 911 centers throughout the state. PSAP grants may fund current operations or help build infrastructure to implement Next Generation 911, which allows emergency dispatchers to receive real-time voice, text messages, photos, and live video.