By: Rochelle Miller
Upgrading public safety communications systems including Next Generation 9-1-1, computer-aided dispatch (CAD), radio systems and other important pieces of the communications infrastructure, is mission critical. However, for many agencies, these investments remain out of reach due to evolving conditions including fluctuations in tariffs, global supply chain factors along with budget constraints, making it crucial for agencies to identify funding alternatives from traditional grant funding.
According to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), approximately 240 million 9-1-1 calls are made annually in the US. That total does not count non-emergency calls and other service requests routed through emergency communications centers. To ensure efficient handling of such a high volume of calls, modernizing their communications solutions is a priority for most public safety agencies. Yet, allocating funding for large infrastructure investment projects can be challenging.
The challenge to replace the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) or other grant funds is prompting agencies to look beyond conventional funding models. While federal and state grants are still available for some projects, alternative funding approaches—like earmarks, public-private partnerships, regional cost-sharing, and other non-traditional funding approaches—can provide more support for the initial project, recurring maintenance and upgrades.
Federal and State Grants
Federal grants remain a cornerstone for funding NG9-1-1 and CAD upgrades. Key sources include the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the 911 Grant Program administered via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Agencies can monitor opportunities at 911.gov, centralizing information on funding eligibility, allowable uses and application timelines. Many programs prioritize:
- NG9-1-1 implementation and transition planning
- Interoperability between CAD, records management systems (RMS) and records systems
- Radio system upgrades tied to regional coordination
Federal funding alone may not cover the full cost of major system overhauls. Successful applicants often position their projects in broader terms: enhancing equity, enabling inter-agency collaboration, or addressing gaps identified during recent emergencies, and include any other funding partners or plans they may utilize.
Earmarks Through Legislative Appropriation
The return of congressional earmarks, now referred to as community funding, continues to be a way to fund public safety communications projects. These funds are obtained by working with your Congressional representatives—some Congressional offices have a formal application and review process. Start with your representative’s website and call their office to learn about their specific procedures for submitting a funding request.
These funds are typically available early in the calendar year, with some Congressional offices setting application due dates in mid-March. Agencies considering this route should:
- Coordinate with local elected officials well ahead of budget cycles
- Present tightly scoped, impact-focused project plans
- Emphasize regional collaboration and readiness benefits
Similar opportunities may sometimes exist at the state level, where legislative set-asides can fund infrastructure upgrades, especially when public safety agencies or 9-1-1 authorities advocate jointly. Partnering with the community and showing that support for a public safety project can help funding applications within local legislative districts.
Asset Forfeiture Funds
While usually not suitable for major capital expenses, asset forfeiture funds can support targeted communications hardware and software investments. Agencies must follow strict usage guidelines and be completely transparent about spending. For example, using these funds to replace legacy CAD workstations, purchase updated dispatch consoles, invest in radio encryption, purchase additional radios, and perform other upgrades or maintenance needed to improve and sustain the existing communications infrastructure are uses that would likely be approved.
Depending on your agency’s specific needs, asset forfeiture funds can be helpful for smaller projects and even some recurring fees and maintenance. With asset forfeiture funding, even if your agency has filed for asset forfeiture on a large sum of seized money, the approval process can take several months or more, making budgeting and planning challenging.
Public-Private Partnerships
Private sector collaboration can offer capital and technical resources for public safety communications. This is especially true when regional telecommunications providers, infrastructure vendors, or technology firms have a stake in improved resilience and interoperability. Working through public-private partnerships requires setting clear roles and protocols for each partner, setting guidelines and expectations on data-sharing, ensuring procurement remains within public laws and agency regulations, and ensuring transparency within the community, which shows the partnership remains aligned with the public safety mission.
For instance, public agencies partnering with telecom companies to fund the fiber upgrades needed for NG9-1-1 migration or to expand broadband in their communities are examples of public-private partnerships (PPP). Sometimes, collaborating with nonprofit groups, academic partners, or healthcare providers has seen success in co-applying for technology grants, particularly where public safety intersects with health or education outcomes.
Regionalization and Cost-Sharing Models
Shared service models are gaining ground, especially for rural or mid-sized jurisdictions. Agencies can afford a more robust and scalable communications infrastructure by pooling resources. Regional CAD systems allow multiple departments to share dispatch functionality while customizing workflows and sharing the cost of implementation, maintenance and upgrades across many agencies.
Similarly, shared NG9-1-1 call-handling platforms can reduce duplication and enable mutual aid during surge events. Regional groups and networks can eliminate the need for siloed infrastructure and enhance data sharing and integration. Regional cooperatives may require upfront coordination, but they can unlock multi-year cost savings and significantly improve interoperability across law enforcement, fire, EMS and public works.
Community and Philanthropic Funding
In some cases, local foundations and philanthropic organizations have supported communications upgrades, especially when the technology addresses underserved or high-need populations. Law enforcement agencies have secured funding for equipment and systems to enhance policing through local nonprofit foundations.
In addition to raising funds, these community groups can work with law enforcement agencies when applying to philanthropic foundations for grant money or donations for community safety initiatives. The nonprofit can also partner with the agency on federal or grant applications for which the law enforcement agency would not usually qualify.
Budget Innovation and Internal Advocacy
Finally, many departments are reframing communications upgrades not as isolated IT expenses but as foundational investments that improve outcomes and reduce long-term operational costs. CAD and NG9-1-1 systems, for instance, can shorten response times, reduce dispatcher workload, and improve call triage, yielding cost efficiencies across the board.
By quantifying these operational benefits, agencies have a stronger case for general fund reallocation or capital improvement prioritization. And in some places where general budgets remain tight, agencies have proposed small special levies or technology surcharges to support ongoing communications maintenance fees.
A Funding Mindset
Securing sustainable funding for NG9-1-1, CAD and radio infrastructure requires more than identifying grants. It demands a broader, more strategic view of how public safety communications are valued and financed. Agencies that explore alternatives like earmarks or community project funding, public-private partnerships, regional cost-sharing, asset forfeiture, and community-backed initiatives often find opportunities that align with their immediate needs and long-term operational goals. These approaches may require additional coordination and advocacy, but they offer the flexibility to fund implementation and ongoing maintenance in ways that traditional grants alone often cannot.
Ultimately, public safety communications are not optional upgrades. They’re essential systems that sustain and enhance emergency response, interagency collaboration and community safety. The departments that succeed in advancing their communications capabilities are often the ones willing to diversify their funding strategies and build coalitions inside and outside government. By treating communications as core infrastructure and tapping into conventional and creative funding models, agencies can build a more resilient, interoperable and future-ready foundation for their communities.
Get started on your funding journey by downloading our Funding Alternatives Checklist here.
