Urban Area Security Initiative Overview
The Department of Homeland Security's Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program provides financial assistance to address the CBRNE/WMD planning, equipment, training, and exercise needs of large urban areas, and to assist in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, respond to, and recover from threats or acts of terrorism. Urban areas receiving funding under this program must take a regional approach to the development and implementation of the program.
The region received approximately $40 million in UASI funding for Fiscal Years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee budgeted these funds, with approval from the MARC Board of Directors and state and federal authorities, under the following guidelines:
- Respond to and respect committee and regional group priorities.
- Ensure that the region is able to complete and or continue important regional projects and build enhanced capabilities in a reasonable time frame.
- Avoid duplication of resources and support sustainable projects.
- Address areas not well supported in previous grant rounds.
- Balance resources both geographically and across disciplines.