The Department of Public Safety (DPS), also called an Office of Public Safety, is a state or local government umbrella agency in the United States which serves to assist the certain agencies in their services by providing administrative, financial, and technical services and support for core public safety functions for some or all of the following:
- Fire and Rescue services - includes fire prevention and suppression, all types of rescue services and HAZMAT response.
- Ambulance and EMS - usually only provides emergency medical transportation
- Police and security guard licensing services - including crime prevention, suppression and investigation, uniformed patrol and response, and operates the Crimestoppers Program.
- Emergency communications - operates the public interface emergency communications telephone system by providing the 9-1-1 and Enhanced 911 emergency telephone numbers.
- OES or Office of Emergency Services - plans for and operates the Emergency Operations Center during calamities, disasters, special events and emergencies.
- Inspections and code enforcement - usually building safety, which includes construction, electrical et al. and/or vehicle inspections.
- Animal control - This category could also include wildlife officers, game wardens and dog catchers.
- DMV - includes administration of driver's licenses and license plates.
In other countries and states, an equivalent might be known as the Ministry of the Interior or Department of Emergency Services. The United States Department of Homeland Security is the federal level Department of Public Safety of the United States, it is responsible for federal emergency services via Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States or (FEMA).
Read more about Department Of Public Safety: State Level, Local Level, Note
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