NORWICH – The Chenango County Sheriff's Office is looking at a $74,000 federal grant that will allow it access to detailed aerial pictures of the county which emergency officials say will help them do their job more efficiently.

The grant, which comes by way of the Federal Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, is being offered to communities across the country to enhance capabilities for public safety answering points and 911 call centers.

According to Chenango County Undersheriff Dan Frair, funding received will allow the Sheriff’s Office to purchase software and licensing for aerial oblique images for all of Chenango County. Images will be made available through a private company called Pictometry International, Corp, based in Rochester, NY.

Frair explained that when the county signs a contract with Pictometry, the company will fly over the area taking photos and then upload those images to a database accessible only to certain county departments. Pictometry will update its photo database every three to five years at no extra cost.