Missouri could get $10 million to prepare for terror attacks

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri could get up to $10.8 million from the federal government to help "first-response" teams prevent, prepare and respond to terrorism.

The state has 45 days to apply for the grant, which is expected to be approved, said Tom Mohr, terrorism program manager with the State Emergency Management Agency.

The state then would distribute the federal money to the 22 local emergency response teams. Nineteen of the teams are decontamination units that can serve 1,200 people per hour in case of a chemical or radiological attack, he said.

The St. Louis and Kansas City regional teams are likely to get more of the grant money because they serve bigger population areas, Mohr said.

The agencies would be allowed to spend the grant money on equipment, training, planning and exercises.

The state's 22 emergency response teams are in Kansas City, Excelsior Springs, Lee's Summit, Sedalia, Kirksville, Hannibal, St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, Franklin County, Springfield, Joplin, Nevada, Branson, Jackson, Columbia, Camden County, Cole County, West Plains, Andrew County and Rolla.