Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office announced Mon., Aug. 17, the state has created a new emergency response system that local governments will have access to during disasters. The NY Responds system will give all 62 counties access to universal emergency management software to help local and state governments coordinate during disaster events. The system is designed to relay incident-specific information, help with local resource requests, monitor requests and provide information about other relevant incidents in the region. Counties will not have to pay for the system or its mandatory training program. Officials said the new system is more sophisticated than what local governments are currently using. In addition to the emergency management software and the addition of new emergency response vehicles, the NY Responds system will be supplemented by the New York State Early Warning Weather Detection System. Once complete, that system will use weather detection sites across the state to provide real-time data to the National Weather Service during severe weather events. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.