Grassley says local officials need more training for terrorist attacks

Officials from about a dozen state and local agencies say they need more training to prepare for a terrorist attack on Iowa. Senator Charles Grassley held a forum in Des Moines today to discuss how the state would respond to a terrorist attack. He says while Iowa’s a small state with few high-profile targets, it should get some of the federal money set aside for fighting terrorism on the home front. He says Iowa will be a top consideration when it comes to protecting the food supply.Grassley saw confusion in D-C when the Pentagon was attacked, and so many different agencies — from the police to the military — responded.Story County Emergency Management Director Lori Morrissey says she’s happy to get a federal grant for new equipment, but it won’t do her crew any good without the proper training.Grassley holds a similar forum in Cedar Rapids tomorrow.