Rockland County will receive $1,639,396 in state funding to modernize its 911 system, Governor Kathy Hochul announced this week. The funding will support the Rockland County Sheriff’s Communications Division, which oversees the county’s 911 operations, as it prepares to implement Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology.
The new system will replace the outdated analog network with a digital, internet protocol–based platform designed to improve reliability, enhance caller location accuracy, and speed up emergency response times. Officials say this investment will ensure that Rockland’s first responders have the tools needed to handle emergencies more effectively and save lives.
“Public safety is my number one priority, and that means ensuring that we have the technology and equipment in place to support our first responders and their quick response to emergency situations,” Governor Hochul said. “These investments will ensure that our 911 systems are operating effectively and efficiently when any New Yorker reaches out for emergency assistance in their time of need.”
The Rockland grant is part of an $85 million statewide initiative that will distribute funding to 57 counties across New York, with each county outside of New York City guaranteed at least $1 million. Allocations were determined based on population after the minimum amount was awarded.
State officials, including Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray and New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario, praised the program as a transformative step toward the future of emergency communications.
With this funding, Rockland County’s Sheriff’s Communications Division will be equipped with new call-handling equipment, software, and interfaces that meet the National Emergency Number Association’s i3 standards, putting Rockland at the forefront of emergency response technology.
