Eva Setal is the Safety Director for the NC Department of Public Safety -- a big endeavor and a unique position in state government. In this episode, Eva shares how anyone can take a proactive approach to safety every day and walks through how you can find your "safety moment." Safety doesn't have to be complicated, but it should always be in the back of your mind.
Email Eva or her team at dps.HealthandSafety@ncdps.gov.
Watch Eva's Public Safety Story Time here.
It's 2025, and the NC Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission is celebrating 90 years of spirited service. As the regulatory body over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of all alcoholic beverages across the state, the commission is committed to enhancing public safety and protecting public health across the state. This episode features ABC Commission Deputy Commissioner Mike DeSilva. Listen as he takes you behind the scenes of the commission and shares what has changed and what has stayed the same since it’s founding in 1935.
The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy, which opened its doors in 1994, provides structure, discipline and a path for at-risk 16- to 18-year-olds. In this safety scoop episode, we hear from father/daughter duo Rob Davis and Morgan Raines, who both have shared experiences with the North Carolina National Guard and the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy.
The North Carolina National Guard is an all-volunteer force of around 10,000 soldiers and airmen who serve in both federal and state capacities. In this episode, Col. Mark Almond describes how North Carolina National Guard citizen soldiers and airmen support and defend the citizens of the state and nation against crisis, natural disasters and other threats. He also shares details about his experience over the last 29 years with the NC National Guard. Learn more about the NC National Guard at ng.nc.gov, or follow them on social at @NCNationalGuard.
In part two of the Office of Victim Compensation Services series, listeners will learn more about how the Rape Victims Assistance Program support victims of crime throughout their recovery.
Contact VCS:
800-826-6200 (calling from NC)
919-733-7974 (calling outside of NC)
Office of Victim Compensation Services
4232 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4703
A 2022 report by the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Forceshowed that from 2019 to 2021, the rate of firearm deaths among children and youth in North Carolina more than doubled. This made firearms the leading cause of injury-related death for children and youth in the state. With guns falling into the wrong hands, our state was experiencing an urgent problem. Something had to be done. NC S.A.F.E. , which stands for Secure All Firearms Effectively, was one solution. Now, two years after the initiative began, two members behind the effort share progress and future plans to achieve the overall goal of a safer state.
NC S.A.F.E. is not associated with any advocacy-based initiatives related to gun laws or regulations. The initiative is run by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and funded in part through the 2023 Byrne-State Crisis Intervention Program. Learn more at ncsafe.org.
The Victim Compensation Program is the subject of the latest Safety Scoop episode. Hear from Office of Victim Compensation Services Investigator Felisa Frances as she guides listeners through the eligibility and application process for the program.
Around 1,600 state troopers monitor more than 80,000 miles of roadway across North Carolina. These troopers perform hundreds of thousands of traffic stops every year and respond to countless additional requests for service. In this episode, two members of the NC State Highway Patrol answer multiple "What do I do if ..." questions about vehicles and NC roadways. From fender benders and flat tires to seeing those blue lights flash behind you, First Sergeant Chris Knox and Sergeant Marcus Bethea detail steps you can take to respond properly and most importantly, stay safe.
NCDPS has a robust internship program that offers professional experience for students in a variety of majors. Hear from the department's internship coordinator and a past intern to learn more about careers in the public sector and how to make the most of your time as a student intern.
Learn more at ncdps.gov/internship.
Happy 2025! The NC Department of Public Safety is excited to bring you another season of The Safety Scoop. Subscribe and follow along with new episodes every month.
Greg Hauser, NC Emergency Management Communications Branch Manager, joins this episode of the Safety Scoop to tell his team's Helene response story. He shares enlightening details on the "magic" that goes on behind the scenes that keeps connectivity operational across the state for all individuals and the critical task of keeping tower lights blinking.
Across the nation there are teams of volunteers that are specially trained to assist during emergencies. Whether it's checking vitals of responders or survivors, answering phones, directing traffic or assisting with training, Community Emergency Response Team members are equipped with the knowledge and skills to help when needed. In this episode, we hear from the Division of Emergency Management’s CERT Program Manager Samantha Royster to learn about these teams active across North Carolina and the role they played during Hurricane Helene response.
For this episode of the Safety Scoop, we travel to Cabarrus Juvenile Detention Center to hear from three youth in secure custody who were part of new programming that was rolled out over the summer. These three individuals (identified in the episode as C, K and T) were enrolled with nine of their peers in an eight week digital media class. You'll also hear from facility staff who provide context to the new partnership between the Beattie’s Ford Road Vocational Trade Center and Cabarrus JDC and why they felt it was important to expand course offerings for the juveniles in their care.
It's time for a cyber heath checkup! In this episode of the Safety Scoop, two members of NCEM's Homeland Security Section share the types of threats that exist across the digital landscape in 2024, and how you can not only protect yourself from bad actors but recognize potential schemes and scams. Michael Greer and Christopher Chappell have decades of experience in cybersecurity and provide listeners with actionable steps on how to stay safe.
Started in 2004 by a small group of innovative North Carolinians, the Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, or NC HART, celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this year. Now comprised of more than 30 technicians from across 12 different agencies, the NC HART team provides lifesaving missions across our state and beyond. In this episode of the Safety Scoop, you’ll hear from several longstanding members of the team, to include, Chris Bailey (NCEM Emergency Service Coordinator), Brevard Fire Chief Bobby Cooper and CW5 Michael Young (NC National Guard).
In this episode of the Safety Scoop, we get to hear from two members of the State Highway Patrol's Caisson Unit on site at their barn in the small town of Stedman. Learn more about the history of the unit since it was started in 2006 and how its members and horses have honored first responders and law enforcement professionals who have fallen in the line of duty.
Additional Resources:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and North Carolina public safety professionals and first responders have a resource at their fingertips to assist with mental health services. The Responder Assistance Initiative, or RAI, meets the needs of North Carolinians by providing a sustainable continuum of wellness resources that connects North Carolina first responders to an integrated safety net of peer teams and trusted professionals. In this episode I am joined by two mental health professionals: Jodi Salamino and Doctor Lindsay Allotey. Together, they outline the myriad of confidential and free services available for those who need it and have taken the first step in asking for help.
In this episode we get to speak with contract administrator Jonelle Giulianelli, who describes her role with the community programs section and expands on what it’s like managing partnerships across the state for justice involved youth. Joining Jonelle is Ken Perry, who works for an organization mentioned several times in part one: Methodist Home for Children. Together they share uplifting stories of strength, communities coming together and how setbacks have been transformed into successes. This is part two of a two-part series on JJDP community programs. Resources:
The Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety is committed to the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating and treating youth. This Safety Scoop episode we’ll hone in on the community programs section of the division, which provides a comprehensive strategy to help prevent and reduce juvenile crime and delinquency through non-residential and residential contracted programs. This is part one of a two-part series on JJDP community programs.
For Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on a few talented women in leadership roles in the Division of Emergency Management. Traditionally, the fields of public safety and emergency management have been filled by individuals who are predominately white, male and former military. But there has been progress towards greater diversity.
In this episode, we are proud to introduce Robin Brown, Area 10 Coordinator; Jazel Mayes, Accounts Payable Manager; and Sarah Robison, Risk Management Program Coordinator. Hear their stories about what it's like working in emergency management and the advice they share for women seeking professional roles in public safety.
Get details about the HERricane experience.