Department of public safety

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In the United States, a department of public safety is a state or local government agency which often has a broad portfolio of responsibilities, which may include some or all of the following:

• Fire services: provides fire prevention and suppression.
• Rescue services: provides rescue services.
• Haz-mat services: provides hazardous materials response.
• Ambulance
• Policing services: provides law enforcement, community policing and outreach.
• Emergency communications: operates the public interface emergency communications telephone system by providing the 9-1-1 and Enhanced 911 emergency telephone numbers.
• Office of emergency management (OEM): 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 vehicle inspections.
• Animal control: this category could also include wildlife officers, game wardens, and dog catchers.
• Department of motor vehicles (DMV): includes administration of driver's licenses, license plates and identification cards.
• Department of transportation (DOT): includes vehicle registration, tags and license plates.

These responsibilities are usually organized into separate agencies under a DPS due to their diversity, though there is a critical exception in certain local jurisdictions (as further explained below).

In other countries, equivalent agencies may be known as the ministry of the interior. In U.S. state or local governments that do not have a DPS, equivalent agencies may be known as the department of emergency services.