Town of Smithtown awarded $200,000 for Emergency Operations Center upgrades
The Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety has been awarded $200,000 through the Federal Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) Grant Program provided by FEMA to enhance the town’s emergency preparedness. Announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the funding will allow Smithtown to upgrade its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) facilities, improving coordination and response during crises.
“Effective communication during a disaster is the cornerstone of emergency management. We’re especially grateful to Gov. Hochul for this funding, which will allow the Town of Smithtown to enhance our local emergency operations facilities, ensuring we are well-equipped to protect our residents and coordinate response efforts during emergencies,” said Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim (R.)
“I am pleased to see that we have been awarded the grant to update and improve our Emergency Operations Center. With these funds we will reconfigure the EOC, replace antiquated equipment and enhance our interoperability with partner police and fire agencies. This center is staffed 24/7 and our dispatchers will now have all the resources they need at their disposal, greatly enhancing our ability to serve residents not only during disasters but daily, ensuring we operate at the highest capabilities. I’d like to commend Deputy Director Caillat for her work on this project and securing this award,” said the director of public safety, Thomas Lohmann.
The EOC Grant Program supports projects that equip, upgrade and construct emergency operations centers, ensuring municipalities are ready to respond effectively to disasters. These improvements are key to a comprehensive national emergency management system enabling communication and collaboration among emergency organizations across multiple jurisdictions and hazards.
The Town of Smithtown remains steadfast in its commitment to public safety and emergency preparedness. This grant will enhance the town’s ability to respond efficiently to emergencies, supporting a unified approach to disaster management while safeguarding the community.
About the Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) Grant Program
The FEMA EOC Grant Program provides financial assistance to local, state and tribal governments to enhance emergency management capabilities. The program focuses on equipping, upgrading and constructing emergency operations centers to ensure communities are prepared for all-hazard events.
About the Town of Smithtown Emergency Management Unit
The Department of Public Safety serves as the town’s emergency management office and is actively involved in all phases of preparedness for natural and human-made disasters. To plan for disasters, the department coordinates drills with local fire departments, police and other emergency agencies. During actual emergencies, the department integrates activities from its own divisions and local, state and federal agencies. The department also maintains a townwide communications center, which serves as the hub of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies.
