St. Lawrence County is to receive $178,002 in state Public Safety Answering Points operations funding to improve 9-1-1 response and emergency dispatching.

Public Safety Answering Points are public safety facilities where incoming calls for help are received and the process for emergency services dispatching is initiated.

The annual grants allows for state reimbursement to counties for eligible public safety call-taking and dispatching expenses. All counties are eligible to apply.

The grants not only help counties offset their day-to-day expenses, but can also foster upgrades in call-taking and dispatching technology and investing in new services such as text messaging, data communication and improved geo-location for emergency response, according to a press release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.

Funds are distributed among participating counties based on a county’s operational scope, demographic factors, and emergency services call statistics. By participating in the program, counties affirm their adherence to state and national guidelines for emergency communications.

Counties in New York State provide the majority of 9-1-1 answering and dispatching operations, and coordinate services among municipal, county and state responders, the press release said.