Working together works for improving Schenectady County residents public safety

New York State Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez recently visited Schenectady to announce a $1 million grant for the implementation of a centralized emergency dispatch system through the creation of a unified communications center. This is expected to provide both a cost savings by reducing duplication of services and improve public safety by improving communication between the county's public safety agencies.

“I would like to thank Governor Paterson and Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez for this grant and their commitment to helping local governments work more efficiently to save taxpayers money,” said Susan Savage, Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature. “This grant brings us one step closer to a centralized dispatch system that will improve public safety throughout the county and streamline functions to reduce municipal costs.”

“This funding is proof of what we’ve accomplished working together with each of the communities throughout Schenectady County,” said Judy Dagostino, Schenectady County Legislature Vice Chair and Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee. “We are all very excited about the prospects for greater efficiency, better coordination and improved effectiveness this grant will bring to our dispatch system in Schenectady County.”

This is another major win that happened because of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee. The committee was created in 2004 by the new Democratic Majority on the county Legislature and has saved county residents millions of dollars through identifying duplications in services and smarter ways of doing government work.

Click here for more news coverage.