Department of Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety is the government umbrella agency in the USA which serves to assist the various bureaus, agencies, and offices in the delivery of their services by providing administrative, financial, and technical services and support for core management functions for one or all of the following:
- Ambulance Services - Usually only EMS but may include patient transfer services and may include recsue services.
- Fire and Rescue Services - includes fire prevention and suppression, all types of rescue services and HAZMAT response.
- Police 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.
- OEM or Office of Emergency Management - Plans for and operates the Emergency Operations Center during calamities, disasters, special events and emergencies.
- Inspections - usually building safety, which includes construction, electrical et al.
- Animal Control - Usually placed under the DPS due to the occasional need for armed animal control officers, ie the Dogcatcher. This category could also include Wildlife Officers, and Game wardens.
Also known as the Ministry of the Interior or Department of Emergency Services.
Federal Level
At Federal level the closest equivelant is the United States Department of Homeland Security.
States Level
At state level governments in the United States, the DPS is usually a law enforcement agency synonymous with the state police. At local and special district levels, they may be all encompassing.
Local Level
Some cities and counties, like Sunnyvale, California, have Departments of Public Safety where all personnel are both police officers and firefighters.