Putnam Awarded $3.5 Million

Putnam County has been award $3.5 million dollars from New York State to improve its first responders communication systems. County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced last week that Putnam was one of 17 counties to receive the award which comes under the fourth round of the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant program.

Odell tells Hudson Valley News Network that the grant will greatly improve their communications systems.

“Putnam County is a county made up of career and volunteer first responders—law enforcement, fire departments and emergency medical service workers,” said Odell.  “It is important that we provide our first responders with the ability to communicate faster and respond sooner.  This grant will help us increase the reliability, efficiency and interoperability of our existing communication system.”

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith was also pleased with the news and spoke to where the money would be utilized.

“I am very pleased that Putnam County has been selected to receive the $3.5 million communications grant,” said the Sheriff.   “We have plans to acquire new radio towers and to upgrade equipment on existing towers, which will reduce the number of ‘dead spots’ and create system redundancy so that, in the event one tower experiences a problem, another tower will seamlessly relay the critical transmissions.”

The grant will reportedly save tax payers over $2 million dollars.