WASHINGTON -- The Department of Homeland Security is giving New York nearly $8 million to help pay for upgrading its emergency communications systems.

Rep. Nita Lowey says the money will help offset some of the big costs to improve communications among police, fire and other emergency response systems.

Problems with first responder communications were exposed during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Police and fire officials struggled to share information and keep their personnel informed about the rapidly changing developments.

Nearly seven years after the attacks, federal, state and local governments are still trying to address those concerns.

Lowey is a Democrat whose district includes parts of Westchester and Rockland counties.