About the UASI Program
Created in 2003 in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States by al-Qaeda, the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) is the only federal homeland security grant program that requires regional governance, strategic planning and investing involving all disciplines - law enforcement, fire service, public health and medical, public works, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and emergency management – in order to acquire the necessary plans, equipment, training and exercises to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from threats and acts of terrorism and other major hazards.
This program was established to enhance the preparedness level of high threat communities. With support from the UASI and related Homeland Security grant programs, stakeholders in the Jersey City – Newark urban area are engaged in a multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional partnership to improve local capacity to prepare for, protect against, response to and recover from catastrophic incidents.
Meet Program Manager Jim Sheehan
Jim Sheehan is the Program Manager of the Northern New Jersey Urban Area Initiative that supports the Homeland Security efforts in the cities of Newark and Jersey City, and the counties of Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex, Hudson, Union, and Middlesex.
The Urban Areas Security Initiative, administratively supported by the Center on Policing, designed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, coordinates the Homeland Security grant funding program, conducts training, and supports the efforts of fire, police, emergency management, and emergency medical responders as they conduct programs to prevent and protect against acts of terrorism.
Jim has a long public safety career working his way up from patrol officer and serving as the Acting Chief of Police in the Paramus Police Department, working with the U.S. Department of Justice in support of the fusion centers and the Suspicious Activity Report Program, and serving on the Board of Directors of the All Hazards Consortium (AHC).