The Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program began in 1979 as a concept to address
rural public safety. The VPSO program provides public safety services in rural Alaska by increasing response time to emergencies and provide an ongoing public safety presence to rural and remote communities in Alaska.
A certified VPSO is trained in fire protection, emergency medical assistance, law enforcement, community policing, crime prevention and search and rescue. The presence of a VPSO in a community can have a positive impact on a community.
The VPSO is often the first responder when their community needs help; hence their motto:
"First Responders - Last Frontier".