Emergency management agencies in Oxford and Androscoggin counties have received a combined $714,191 in homeland security grants to upgrade technology and equip emergency shelters.

The money is part of nearly $2.5 million awarded throughout Maine.

Oxford County agencies received $374,744, the second-largest amount awarded, next to Penobscot County. Androscoggin County agencies received $339,447.

Oxford County law enforcement agencies received $187,193 so police cruisers in the county can access Bureau of Motor Vehicles data.

Lt. Edward Quinn of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office said that will help officers get information during traffic stops if county dispatchers are tied up on other calls. The program is run through the Spillman software, the database law enforcement officials use.

Officers will be able to get online in their cruisers using cell phone and wireless technology, Quinn said.

The Androscoggin County Unified Emergency Management Agency received $211,956.44 to equip and upgrade laptop computers in police cruisers, said Jason Moen, deputy chief of the Auburn Police Department.

Moen said he is not sure when that will happen because the grant was $500,000 short of what was requested. He said public officials are meeting to determine how to come up with the rest.

The Rumford Police Department received $42,750 to equip police cruisers with interoperable communications equipment.

Now, when officers on duty leave their cruiser, all communication to the car radios will be relayed onto their handheld radios, said Stacy Carter, Rumford’s police chief.

He said installation of the equipment will begin in January and most likely be completed during the first few months of the new year.

Oxford County Emergency Management Agency Director Scott Parker said that will make communication easier for police officers.

“It’s a neat system with great capabilities,” Parker said.

Other homeland security dollars went to make sure emergency Red Cross shelters were properly equipped.

Joanne Potvin, director of Androscoggin’s EMA, said as a response to Hurricane Katrina emergency management officials put an emphasis on shelters.

SAD 55 received $79,801 so Sacopee Valley High School in Hiram could get a new power generator and control box that will kick in if the power goes out, Parker said.

At Mountain Valley High School and Middle School in Rumford, SAD 43, $65,000 will be used to upgrade power distribution panels, Parker said.

SAD 36 received $83,506 for a generator for a shelter.

Mechanic Falls also received $43,985 for a generator, along with cots and blankets.

Homeland security grants have been awarded since 9/11, Parker said previously. According to the Maine Emergency Management Agency Web site, “The criteria for awarding the grants was narrowed to focus on interoperable communications, shelter and recovery operations, training and exercise for first responders and public awareness and education.”

The amount awarded, however, has dwindled. In 2001, the state received $21 million. This year the state received $2.5 million.

Franklin County did not receive any money this year, although the county EMA applied for four grants for generators for shelters and interoperable equipment.

Tim Hardy, Franklin County EMA director, said the county has been fortunate in past years. Last year, he said, the county received more than $417,000.

Officials from the Maine Emergency Management Agency could not be reached for comment.

Hardy said Franklin County will apply for funds again next year.

Staff writers Eileen Adams and Maggie Gill-Austern contributed to this story.