LISBON – Lisbon Emergency, Inc., the only local ambulance service in the town of Lisbon, is one of just five agencies in Maine that will share in $182,978 in grants from the Assistance to Firefighters grant program from the Department of Homeland Security, the office of Senator Susan Collins announced.

The grants are aimed at strengthening first responder operations. Lisbon Emergency’s grant is $45,315. Combined with the required 5 percent match, this will give LE a total of $48,000 to spend on upgrading its ambulance equipment.

According to Jim MacDonnell, an LE spokesman, $47,000 will go for new, easier-to-read heart monitors that use the most updated technology.

“Our current monitor is over 7 years old. The new one will be compatible with all med carrying Lifepak 12,” and will enable LE personnel to move from one ambulance to another, MacDonnell said.

The remaining funds will pay for a machine that will enable personnel to read oxygen levels in blood, a CO2 monitor will detect carbon monoxide in blood in the case of suspected CO2 poisoning. Lisbon Emergency will be the first and only service in the area with that capability. “It will be a great help,” MacDonnell said.