PORTLAND (AP) – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has introduced a measure to beef up homeland security by requiring the federal government to provide a security adviser for Maine and nine other states that don’t have one.

Among the supporters include New Hampshire Sens. Judd Gregg and John Sununu.

Gregg say the advisers are specially trained to respond to a variety of emergency situations. He said it is important for each state to have one.

Besides Maine, the federal bill would require the hiring of advisers for New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Idaho.

AP-ES-10-30-07 0815EDT