Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Division of

Agency Web Site: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/

Mission

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and emergencies.

Organization and Staffing

To carry out the agency’s mission, DHSES has seven offices: Office of Counter Terrorism; Office of Emergency Management; Office of Fire Prevention and Control; Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications; State Preparedness Training Center; Office of Disaster Recovery Programs; and the Office of Administration and Finance.

DHSES has a central office in Albany, a satellite office in New York City, nine stockpile locations, and regional offices in support of the five Emergency Management Regions statewide. In addition, the State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC) in Oriskany and the Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls serve as key training facilities for first responders across the State.

Major Programs

Counter Terrorism

DHSES supports Federal, State, county, local, and private sector efforts to prevent, protect against, and prepare for acts or threats of terrorism. DHSES works closely with local government officials, New York State Police, local law enforcement, public safety agencies, mental health professionals, school officials, and other key stakeholders tasked with identifying, assessing, and mitigating the threat of targeted violence, terrorism, and cyber-attacks.

Disaster Recovery

DHSES works with State and local entities assess damages caused by a major disaster and manage the activities required for receiving, administering, and disbursing federal grants to reimburse disaster related costs. DHSES is responsible for the administration of Federal Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation Grants, and Individual Assistance disaster recovery programs.

Emergency Management

DHSES coordinates emergency management services with federal and State agencies to support county and local governments, which is coordinated through the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). This coordination also involves working with local emergency management agencies and key stakeholders in support of their planning, training, and response activities, as well as providing technical assistance as needed.

DHSES also operates and maintains nine strategically located stockpile facilities that house resources often needed in response to disasters and emergencies, including generators, light towers, water tankers, food, water, cots, blankets, and other supplies. Through NY Responds, local governments can request and quickly obtain needed supplies and equipment.

Fire Prevention and Control

DHSES serves as the State's lead agency regarding fire protection and fire prevention. Responsibilities of this program include providing management advice and technical assistance to fire service agencies, conducting fire inspections, conducting basic, advanced, and specialized training for career and volunteer firefighters, and reviewing and issuing permits for vendors authorized to sell consumer fireworks. Additionally, DHSES is responsible for managing the Emergency Services Revolving Loan and Fire Safe Cigarette programs.

State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC)

The SPTC is a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary facility providing training to State, local, and Federal emergency first responders. It contains a variety of training venues for both scenario-based and classroom training. The Cityscape complex serves as a critical component to the Advanced Active Shooter Scenario courses and the Swift Water Rescue Simulator offers water rescue training to local emergency responders from across the State.

Interoperable Communications

DHSES is charged with developing and implementing standards, policies and plans pertaining to intragovernmental and intergovernmental public safety communications systems. Additionally, DHSES is responsible for coordinating the administration of the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant and Public Safety Answering Points programs to enhance public safety communications interoperability across New York State.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2026 Executive Budget recommends $9.08 billion in support for DHSES ($165 million in State Operations; $8.89 billion in Aid to Localities; and $28 million in Capital funds).

The FY 2026 Executive Budget includes $25 million in capital funding for a new round of Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment grants to be awarded to volunteer-only fire districts for facility construction, renovation costs, and the purchase of new equipment. Also included is funding for the development of a Media Literacy Toolkit for educators and students to combat the spread of misinformation.

The FY 2026 Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 770 FTEs, a 12 FTE increase from FY 2025. The increase supports additional staff in the Offices of Fire Prevention and Control and Counter Terrorism.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/21/2025