The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides various grants to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program is intended to enhance the preparedness and response capabilities of high risk urban areas by addressing the unique planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density Urban Areas, and assists them in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.

Both Miami and Fort Lauderdale have been designated as Urban Areas. Since these two cities are in the same metropolitan area, the two Urban Area Work Groups (UAWGs) operate collaboratively as the "Southeast Florida Urban Area Security Initiative" (SFUASI). The two UASIs work together on all programmatic actives to ensure regional collaboration and coordination as well as to archive efficiencies in operation.

A series of capability and risk-based assessment provided the UAWGs with an in-depth understanding of the threats to the Urban Area and what improvements are needed to respond to these threats. The results of these assessments are used in a capabilities-based planning process.

Contact Information

Southeast Florida Urban Area Security Initiative