ORISKANY, N.Y. — New York has purchased the former Oneida County Airport for $10 million to “grow and enhance” first-responder training operations at the New York State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC). The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) operates the (SPTC), which is located at the facility. Gov. Andrew Cuomo […]
ORISKANY, N.Y. — New York has purchased the former Oneida County Airport for $10 million to “grow and enhance” first-responder training operations at the New York State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC).
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) operates the (SPTC), which is located at the facility.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced an agreement to transfer the 1,120-acre property from Oneida County to the state.
“Our first responders routinely put their health and well-being at risk in order to keep their fellow New Yorkers safe,” Cuomo said in a news release his office issued on Friday. “This new facility will help ensure they have access to the latest and most up to date training and builds on our commitment to coordinate a more effective and streamlined emergency response at all levels of government. I thank our partners for working together to make this agreement possible.”
Members of the Cuomo’s Mohawk Valley working group joined RoAnn Destito, commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services; DHSES Commissioner John Melville; and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente in Oriskany today to sign the agreement.
The Oneida County Board of Legislators this week voted to authorize Picente to sell the property, Cuomo’s office said.
“I am pleased Oneida County is able to play a role in providing our first responders with a top-notch facility to meet their vitally important training needs. We were excited when the State decided to locate the New York State Preparedness Training Center in the Mohawk Valley and are delighted with the commitment Governor Cuomo has made to train our emergency response teams,” said Picente.
The agreement requires “routine” approvals from the New York State Attorney General’s Office and Office of the State Comptroller before Oneida County can transfer the deed.
The commitment to purchase the land that houses the SPTC facility demonstrates Cuomo’s “commitment” to making New York the “most prepared state in the nation,” DHSES’s Melville said in the Cuomo news release.
“The SPTC is a world-class facility and is recognized as one of the premier training facilities for first responders and law enforcement personnel in the country,” said Melville.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com