LEWISTON – The Fire Department will receive more than $120,000 to enhance the capabilities of first responders thanks to a federal grant.

Maine Republican Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins on Wednesday announced that $457,432 in grants will be awarded to three Maine fire departments. The money will come from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

The awards aim to enhance first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public and to provide fire departments with additional resources.

The Lewiston department will receive $120,870 for operations and safety.

“Nothing is more important than ensuring our fire personnel have the resources they need to keep our families and communities safe,” Snowe said in a statement. “These grants are essential for our local fire departments to train, equip and evaluate their fire personnel so they can prepare for future fire disasters.”

Since 2004, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants has provided nearly $2.2 billion to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment and vehicles.

The latest round of grant money coming from Maine will also go to fire departments in Andover and Cumberland.