The Public Safety Division is unwavering in its dedication to safeguarding and serving employees, tribal citizens and communities. The division’s commitment extends beyond providing a safe and healthy work environment, delivering public safety services and offering drug education to first responders.
In line with our goal of community engagement, we actively collaborate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to influence positive changes in policy and procedures. Furthermore, we have established impactful partnerships with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and other community stakeholders, demonstrating our commitment to assist communities in developing and implementing local emergency preparedness plans to respond to disasters effectively.
Public Safety provides oversight of the following programs and initiatives:
- Court Service Officers (CSO) Program: Provides security and support in court hearings, custody cases and wellness court proceedings.
- First Responders Addiction & Recovery Education Program: Supports first responders with education and tools to handle opioid overdoses and addiction recovery.
- Office of Emergency Management (OEM): Dedicated to protecting people, lands, and traditions by preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating disasters. We work year-round to ensure the safety and resilience of communities through emergency planning, training, and coordination with local, state, and federal partners—honoring tribal sovereignty every step of the way.
- Tribal Homeland Security Program (THSP): Empowers tribal citizens, communities, and neighbors through CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams), first aid, and hazard mitigation training to enhance emergency preparedness.
- Tribal Access Program (TAP): Conducts criminal background checks and drug testing to ensure a safe environment for all within our communities.
- Tribal Emergency Operations Center (TEOC): Activated during emergencies to coordinate disaster responses and recovery during floods, landslides, pandemics, and other emergencies.
- Tribal Occupational Health & Safety (TOSH) Program: Ensures a safe and healthy work environment through hazard identification, worksite inspections, and employee training.
- Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) Program: Provides law enforcement, firefighting, medical services, and emergency management in communities across Southeast Alaska. Click here to learn more about the VPSO program.
Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of tribal citizens, communities, employees, and neighbors.