Bureau of Administration (Public Safety)

Mission

The mission of the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Administration, is to promote the safety and security of all residents and visitors in the City of Pittsburgh through the coordinated oversight and implementation of public safety operations across the Bureaus of Police (PBP), Fire (PBF), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Animal Care & Control (ACC). This mission includes maintaining a unified command structure composed of representatives from PBP, PBF, and EMS in partnership with the Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS). The Bureau also houses the Office of Community Health & Safety (OCHS), Office of Community Services & Violence Prevention (OCSVP), Office of Film & Event Management (OFEM), Office of Nighttime Economy (ONE), Public Information Office (PIO), Park Rangers, and School Crossing Guards. The Bureau strives to improve community and first responder safety through integrated response efforts, training, technology enhancements, fleet modernization, and increased community engagement. It also promotes collaboration across all Public Safety bureaus through streamlined administrative functions, cross-training opportunities, and improved oversight of resources, expenditures, and hiring practices.

Departmental/Bureau Overview

Administration - The Bureau of Administration contains the Office of the Director of the Department of Public Safety. The Bureau is responsible for standardizing practices, policies, response efforts, technology, and communications across all Public Safety bureaus. It provides oversight and coordination of personnel, resources, facilities, and finances. While each bureau operates independently, the Department has established consistent policies, reporting structures, and financial management practices to improve efficiency and accountability.

Community Outreach - The Office of Community Services & Violence Prevention (OCSVP) serves as a liaison between Pittsburgh residents, community organizations, and the Department of Public Safety. Staff coordinate and maintain numerous community engagement initiatives designed to improve public safety and quality of life. Through meetings, workshops, and community-sponsored events, OCSVP provides education on personal safety, crime prevention, and available community resources. The office also manages the Group Violence Intervention Initiative, a collaborative partnership among law enforcement, street outreach workers, social service providers, and community stakeholders focused on interrupting cycles of violence and reducing neighborhood crime.

Park Rangers – The Park Ranger program is a vital connection between the City of Pittsburgh’s parks and its park users. Park Rangers act as park ambassadors for the Department of Public Safety by educating park visitors/users on park offerings, programs, activities, local ordinances, rules, and regulations. Park Rangers also engage park visitors in mutually respectful ways that benefit and develop relationships and appropriate park use.

Office of Nighttime Economy - The Office of Nighttime Economy supports the food, beverage and entertainment events that enhance Pittsburgh’s quality of life and attractiveness to visitors and relocating companies. However, this industry can present unique potential public safety risks and quality of life impacts. Further, consumer demand is forceful and trends populate quickly, often well in advance of policies that could address issues. Responsible Hospitality includes planning, monitoring, managing, and policing. The Office of Nighttime Economy facilitates these activities and upholds Sociable City Pittsburgh’s vision: “Safe and vibrant places to socialize for visitors and Pittsburghers of all ages, cultures and lifestyles” and the Sociable City's mission: “Retain and grow the economic value of the social and nighttime economy while effectively preventing and addressing nuisance activities, managing public safety risks and alleviating quality of life impacts.” The office is additionally charged with implementing the long-range recommendations from the Sociable City Plan, as well as facilitating key stakeholders to guide policy changes and resource allocation to support and sustain Pittsburgh’s nighttime economy.

Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security - The Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) works to reduce the vulnerability of the populace and property of the City to injury and loss resulting from natural or man-made disasters. This office also provides prompt and efficient rescue, care, and treatment of persons threatened or victimized by disaster; provides for rapid and orderly restoration and recovery following disasters; and educates the public regarding their responsibilities in responding to disasters affecting the City of Pittsburgh. OEMHS works together with other departments to formulate strategies and policies for planned events, and potential natural and man-made events utilizing the National Incident Management System.

Office of Film & Event Management - The Office of Film & Event Management consists of four full-time staff responsible for reviewing applications for special events and film productions within the City of Pittsburgh. The Office works closely with applicants to ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and City policies. The Office coordinates with City departments to support the planning and execution of events and productions while minimizing impacts on City operations and residents. It also chairs the Special Events Committee and facilitates the safe planning of large-scale events throughout the City.

Public Information Office - The Public Information Office consists of two Public Information Officers, one Media Coordinator, and one Social Media Specialist. The PIO’s mission is to tell the whole story of Public Safety, not just what the media covers, and to foster a collaborative environment between Public Safety and the public by promoting and practicing transparency. The PIO provides information to the public, through social media and traditional media, on behalf of all Public Safety areas.

Public Safety Technology - The Office of Public Safety Technology coordinates closely with the City's Department of Innovation & Performance, bureau technology subject matter experts, other departments and partner agencies to enhance safety and awareness of Public Safety personnel by assessing both existing and new technology, infrastructure, and solutions utilized by responders in their daily activities. The office ensures critical public safety technology and systems function efficiently and effectively on a 24/7 basis including citywide security camera deployment, the gunshot detection system, radio communications, and Public Safety-specific software. The office works closely with outside entities to allow all bureaus to have the technical resources necessary to ensure the safety of the residents, visitors, and employees of the City of Pittsburgh. Special Inter-Bureau Operations - Special Inter-Bureau Operations includes emergency response requiring personnel, equipment, and resources from various Public Safety disciplines. These operations include on-going operational training, readiness, planning, and provide resources to incidents such as hazardous material release, active shooter events, flood response, high rise fires, and terrorist attacks.

Public Safety Facilities - The Office of Public Safety Facilities coordinates closely with the Director of the Department of Public Safety, the various Bureau Chiefs within the Department, and the Department of Public Works regarding Public Safety facilities. The Office ensures that systems and chains-of-communications are in place to support the goals and objectives of the Department of Public Safety. The Office manages or leads all facility work flow, including work order processing/follow-up, working with the Department of Public Works to identify and develop proposals for critical facilities capital projects, performing routine inspections, assisting in the preparation of grant applications and legislation supporting Public Safety facilities requirements, and insuring the proper disposal of excess equipment and material. The Office has extensive interaction with all City departments and outside agencies to include: various county, state, and federal law enforcement, correctional, facility management, and risk management agencies. The Office also has the additional duties of City-County Building Fire Marshal, City-County Building Radiation Safety Officer and working with Allegheny County on providing security to the City-County Building.

2026 Accomplishments

Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security:

• Expanded Emergency Management’s support to special events by providing permit holders with detailed, hour-by-hour weather forecasts and coordinating contingency planning with the National Weather Service when severe weather was anticipated. Required weather evacuation plans proved invaluable during several events throughout the summer, helping event organizers make timely, informed decisions. These efforts supported the safe management of special events, including the NFL Draft, which set an all-time attendance record.
• Emergency Management recently took delivery of Meridian vehicle barriers and transportation trailer, including a vehicle rated gate that allows roadways to be securely closed during outdoor events. The equipment was funded through a Port Security Grant Program application for $130,000 and provides an additional layer of protection against vehicle incursions. Emergency Management is developing a deployment plan and training schedule to ensure the equipment can be effectively utilized at events. Public Information Office:
• Expanded and updated PIO media training for Pittsburgh Police supervisors, new supervisors, and detectives/officers set to be promoted. Conducted approximately eight separate hours of training, reaching more than 100 members who learn how the media works, how and when to speak with the media, and how to identify positive stories to share with the PIOs. One excellent example is when a Downtown officer shared the story of his partner, Officer Steven Harris, who paid out of pocket to help a deaf man whose first language is French get back to New York when Greyhound left him stranded without luggage. In fewer than 24 hours, the post elicited close to 9,000 engagements, 500 positive comments, and was shared close to 700 times.
• Facilitated hundreds of media interviews - both local and national - highlighting first responders. Office of Film & Event Management:
• Worked alongside Visit Pittsburgh, the Steelers, and all City partners in the successful planning and execution of the 2026 NFL Draft, the largest in NFL history.
• From Sept 1, 2025 - Sept 1, 2026, OFEM has received and processed 1,257 individual applications: 757 Event Permit requests, 310 Block Party permit requests, 137 Film Permit requests, 10 Parade Permit requests, and 43 Public Demonstration permit requests. Office of Nighttime Economy:
• Supported economic development in 13 commercial corridors with outreach to an additional 244 food, beverage and entertainment businesses owners, workers and community members, sharing 42 new resources, 30 grants with 1680 contacts. To aid in peaceful co-existence of businesses and resident, fielded/addressed dozens of noise, trash and vending conflicts.
• Delivered six trainings for hospitality workers in De-escalation, Active Shooter, Mental Health First Aid, CPR/AED and Narcan; and educational workshops on vending rules and required paid sick leave. Park Rangers:
• Completed a total of 392 educational programs thus far in 2026 with 11,774 total interactions. This includes, but is not limited to, citywide playground pop-ups, hike series, Art in the Park, tours of the historical Neill Log House and Healthy Active Living Center programming. Rangers also created and dispersed their first summer program guide showcasing citywide Park Ranger programming.
• Expanded the Deer Management Program upon successfully harvesting 250 deer in 2025-2026 season, which provided 26,400 meals to those facing food insecurity. The program expanded in 2026 with added archery territories of Spring Hill/Spring Garden Greenway and Sheraden Park. In addition, the added partnership of the PA Game Commission to the pre-existing mentorship program paired new archers with vetted mentors for the duration of the season to learn safe archery practices. Office of Community Services & Violence Prevention:
• Across all six Public Safety Zones, Safer Together Coordinators have helped address neighborhood concerns, expand youth engagement opportunities, connect residents with critical resources, support violence prevention efforts, and build stronger relationships between public safety professionals and the communities they serve. These reflect five essential pillars of community-centered public safety: prevention, intervention, community engagement, resiliency, and reintegration.

The Office of Community Services and Violence Prevention positions have moved from the Stop the Violence Trust Fund for 2027.

The Assistant Director - Community Health & Safety position has moved to the Office of Community Health and Safety cost center for 2027. One (1) Business Relationship Manager position has moved from the Department of Innovation and Performance cost center for 2027.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY - BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION 2027 Expenditures by Subclass