Buffalo, NY – Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels Friday presented a check of more than $7.53 million to Erie County to upgrade its enhanced 911 (E911) system to be capable of tracking the location of incoming wireless 911 calls. Daniels, who serves as chair of the New York State 911 Board, joined County Executive Joel Giambra to inspect Erie County's 911 facilities and discuss joint efforts to improve the county E911 system and emergency services.
"Public safety must be a top priority at all levels of government, and New York State has a strong partner in Erie County," Daniels said. "This State grant will build upon the county's efforts to provide comprehensive E911 services, to ensure that individuals who require emergency services can be located even if they can't relay their exact location.
"With the mainstream use of cellular phones, this money will go a long way to provide a safer community by showing our emergency personnel where precisely the phone call originates," Giambra said. "This investment will absolutely save lives."
"Effective communications are critical in emergency situations," said Sheriff Patrick Gallivan. "With this new technology, we will be better able to keep the citizens of Erie County safe and secure."
Under the State's Expedited Deployment Funding Program, Erie County has received more than $7.53 million for computer equipment to upgrade its E911 system, including a computer-aided dispatch system. The upgrades will allow county 911 dispatchers to identify and track the location of wireless calls they receive.