NORWICH - Chenango County officials have entered a $476,000 contract with a professional telecommunications consulting firm, inching them one step closer toward implementing a $12 million communications equipment upgrade for local emergency management.

The County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Monday authorizing a contract with New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC), a telecommunications consultant under contract with the New York State Office of General Service.

Officials point to the firm’s expertise in overhauling communication systems - something they say is needed to improve efficiency of emergency management county-wide. The project includes construction of several new communications tower sites, new radio channels to boost communications among jurisdictions and agencies, and improving the county’s 911 communications center with new equipment.

“We have used their engineers before. We’ve had contracts with them before our existing radio system,” Chenango County Emergency Management Director Matt Beckwith told members of the county’s Safety and Rules Committee at their June meeting.