PARIS – The Rumford Police Department would like a device that would enable better communication with hand-held radios.

The town of Sumner would like some equipment for its neighborhood preparedness program.

The Paris Fire Department would like a six-wheel vehicle to rescue hikers on trails.

These are some of the departments that are looking to get a piece of the $2.6 million in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security grants the state is doling out.

Nine Oxford County agencies have put in grant requests that would be funded by the money, said Scott Parker, director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency. The requests add up to $563,542.

“I have no expectation that we’ll get (that amount),” Parker said. “Sixteen counties applying for $2.6 million – do the math.”

Officials from these agencies will meet to prioritize the grants, Parker said.

“It’s a competitive process,” he added.

The homeland security grant dollars are fewer every year, Parker said. In 2001 the state received $21 million, and $14 million the following year.

The money was initially earmarked for first-responder programs, Parker said. The county EMA used the funds to create first-responder programs.

“After four years, we’re getting to where (we need the money for) sustainment and technology dollars,” Parker said.

Agencies seeking dollars this year are:

• Paris Fire Department, wanting a prime mover for search, rescue and Decon Strike Team, $15,237.

• Oxford County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, wanting communications equipment for the Mobile Emergency Operations Center, $12,402.

• Rumford Police Department, requesting a vehicle repeater for all police vehicles in the county, $42,750. This would make it easier to communicate with their hand-held radios.

• SAD 55 in Hiram, requesting a county Red Cross shelter for a new school, $79,801.

• Town of Sumner, requesting a radio, a laptop, a generator and a pilot program for its Neighborhood Preparedness program, $36,086.

• County Joint Law Enforcement, wanting Spillman software link and hardware which will connect agencies via laptop and the county’s Regional Communications Center, $187,193.

• Rumford Hospital, wanting a generator for Swift River Health Care, $98,310.

• SAD 43, wanting a physical security enhancement and power panel for SAD 43 Red Cross shelter, $90,084.

• Stoneham Fire Department, requesting radios, $1,679.