Front Picture of South Holland's Village Hall flag poles and doors with some flowers in pots.

Public Safety Support Services

Public Safety Support Services

 

About Public Safety Support Services

Public Safety Support Services (PS3) is an entity of the Village of South Holland, led by Deputy Police Chief Chris Lareau and Director Mark Van Kley.  Members, all of whom are paid on call, give their time and talents to serve their community.

PS3 is designed to work when either man-made or natural disasters or emergencies occur in South Holland or the surrounding area.

PS3 is the modern, better trained version of the old Civil Defense Corps which protected our nation during and after World War II.

PS3 has its origins in the Federal legislation which created FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. PS3s are the local arm of FEMA, although they are not under Federal or State control unless an officially declared emergency situation exists in a community, state, or region.

What does Public Safety Support Services do?

  • Traffic control
  • Crowd control
  • Search and Rescue (land and water)
  • Weather spotting
  • Disseminate public information
  • Mutual aid – assisting other suburban PS3 units

Goals and Objectives

  • Provide support to Village departments and organizations.
  • Provide support for community events
  • Protect the environment
  • Work with other PS3 units
  • Provide necessary facilities and training
  • Provide needed vehicles and facilities

If you would like to become one of the proud members who make up the South Holland Public Safety Support Services:

First: Pick up a PS3 application from South Holland Village Hall at 16226 Wausau Avenue or fill out the application online and email it to the email address located on the application.

Second: Sign the enclosed background authorization form in the application and bring the completely filled out application to the South Holland Village Hall.

Third: In a few weeks, you will be contacted by Director Mark Van Kley or a representative from the Human Resources Department to set up an interview. After the interview is done and you are picked to continue with the hiring process is when the background check will be done. Once we receive the background back is when you will be offered an official position.

Finally: Now you are ready to become a member.

To be a member, you must:

  1. Be in good health and have a valid drivers license with a clear driving record.
  2. Have a clear criminal record and be a good person.
  3. Be willing to give your time to assist the Village of South Holland and respond to “CALLS for assistance needed” Assistance calls can come at all hours of the day or night. (Exceptions to this rule are made for persons who cannot leave work or school.) All members are expected to respond to at least 40% of all call outs, pre-planned events, and out of town assistance to other towns.
  4. Be able to attend monthly PS3 meetings, which are the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm; and be available for PS3 training.
  5. Members are also allowed to serve as the extra eyes and ears of the Police Department through routine Village patrols.

Suburban Mutual Assistance Response Team

The South Holland PS3 is a member of S.M.A.R.T.

In our case, this means we can call on over 100 extra men and additional equipment when a disaster strikes.   https://smartema.org/