Public Safety

Public Safety is a top priority for local and state government agencies, encompassing the protection of citizens through law enforcement, emergency response, and crime prevention strategies. Effective public safety measures are essential for maintaining order and ensuring the well-being of communities. This directory offers articles on public safety and related topics like Emergency Management, which focuses on preparing for and responding to natural disasters, public health crises, and other emergencies that impact community safety.

Carmel PD hopes the real-time Waze notifications will help reduce the safety risks officers face on highways
A new analysis recommends hiring more firefighters and rethinking cross-staffing practices at the Anne Arundel County Fire Department
Corewell Health and the Grand Rapids Fire Department will launch a six-month pilot in January embedding a community health worker with EMS responses to redirect low-acuity 911 calls
Violent crime is down 19% in Prince George’s County, and property crime has decreased 15% compared to 2024; the county also welcomed its largest recruit class in a decade
Uniformed Services University and NHTSA are launching a federally backed push to expand prehospital blood transfusions
Agencies statewide are struggling to recruit and retain paramedics and EMTs as competition for qualified candidates intensifies
The U.S. Department of Education has also launched an investigation into the school’s security, looking into security reports, audits, dispatch and call logs and emergency notifications
A state feasibility study in Wyoming County recommends agencies unite under a countywide authority, secure dedicated funding and improve coordination to stabilize EMS
Santa Monica’s new Advanced Provider Unit pairs a nurse practitioner with a firefighter/paramedic, freeing ambulances for critical emergencies and reducing unnecessary transports
Facing staffing losses and reduced tax revenue, Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken is using endurance fundraising to fill critical equipment gaps
Athens Fire and Rescue will equip additional trucks with AEDs using opioid settlement funds while the police department begins placing them in patrol vehicles
The State Fire Marshal’s Division is offering in one-time funding to support equipment, gear and fire protection needs
The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act recognizes occupational cancer as a line-of-duty death for public safety officers, clearing the way for expanded federal benefits
Birmingham City Council has approved a three-year, $170,000 agreement with Axon to lease cameras, with footage to be used for training and incident investigations
The Connecticut Fire Academy received AFG funding to modernize and expand SCBA equipment used to train recruits and support specialized programs statewide