Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

ARC manages the Atlanta Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), part of the federal Department of Homeland Security. UASI is designed to provide enhanced federal preparedness funding for high-threat, high-density urban areas identified as vital to the nation’s economy and national security. The agency’s work includes conducting training and exercises to prepare first responders for potential large-scale emergencies; equipping first responders to strengthen existing capabilities and respond to new and emerging threats; and coordinating regional planning projects.

UASI Atlanta: Governance & Operations

UASI is governed by a Senior Policy Group that is compromised of the chief elected officials of the six jurisdictional members (City of Atlanta and Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties)

About the Atlanta Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)

This document provides an overview of the UASI program, including its governance & operations and key initiatives.

Atlanta Public Safety Immersion

This initiative enabled provided public safety officials with exposure to ethnic communities, religions, customs, and traditions in order to establish greater familiarity among community leaders and public safety officials.

UASI Atlanta: Key Initiatives

Training and Exercises – Provide enhanced preparedness training for law enforcement specialty teams (SWAT, EOD, Aviation, Tactical Field Officers, HazMat) and fire response specialty teams (CBRNE, WMD, EMS, E-911 dispatch, Search & Rescue) and others, including public health and cybersecurity professionals.
Equipping First Responders – Make targeted investments designed to strengthen existing capabilities and respond to new and emerging threats.
Regional Planning Projects – Conduct planning efforts that span UASI’s five core mission areas (Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and Recovery) and the associated 32 Core Capabilities often including creating response protocols and mutual aid operational plans.
Interoperability Communications and Plans – Ensure the deployment of an efficient, routinely tested, and cost-effective command and control radio communication system among members; and enhance crisis information communications to enable first responders to communicate securely and seamlessly during crisis situations.
Community Preparedness – Revitalize the Citizen Corps program, allowing member jurisdictions to train and equip residents to lead their communities through emergencies and disasters by preparedness and resilience through programs that include Neighborhood Watch, Fire Corps, Volunteers in Policing, Community Emergency Response Teams, and Medical Reserve Corps.