The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been dishing out grants to local fire departments since 2001, but the haphazard nature of the disbursements has limited their effectiveness.

There is no doubt that small departments are in need of support. Local municipalities are strapped for cash and many departments, including Lewiston’s, have been flat-funded. Fire departments in Maine have received more than $16 million in grants in the past three years. That money from Homeland Security has helped purchase new equipment, train firefighters and fund wellness programs and community outreach.

According to a report in today’s Sun Journal by Doug Fletcher, Lewiston has attracted more than $488,871 in program grants. About $292,000 was used to purchase a new truck and another $167,000 paid for a physical fitness program for firefighters. The remainder of the money went to fire prevention programs.

Durham, which has also been successful in attracting federal grants, has won $225,000 for a new truck, about $120,000 for safety gear and $25,000 to fund a program that sends firefighters into schools to talk about fire prevention and safety.

All these programs are worthwhile. And the need for more support for first responders is clear.

But, so far, Homeland Security grants have been misdirected and delivered in a scattershot pattern. Is the purpose behind the Department of Homeland Security to teach elementary kids how to stop, drop and roll?

At the same time, other departments, including Auburn’s, have missed out on federal grants. Auburn, which has major transportation arteries running through the city, including the turnpike and two railroads, has been skipped. Auburn faces risks as great as Sabattus or Eustis.

Sen. Susan Collins has proposed legislation that would standardize criteria for the distribution of the federal grants. And money to small departments has been curtailed recently, with a greater share of the money going to metropolitan areas considered more likely targets for terrorism.

Maine has a 3,500-mile coastline, with major ports. There’s a long, remote border with Canada. The state has significant need for Homeland Security funds. So far, the funds the state has received haven’t been directed in the most efficient manner.

We support federal help for local fire departments. They are an important part of protecting the homeland.

But the priority has been placed on funding departments with the best grant writers and not those with the greatest challenges. That should change. With so many security challenges, the Department of Homeland Security must do a better job of allocating its resources.