Butler County PA Emergency Services

10/10/2026

👶🐾 Fire Prevention Week — Day 5: Children & Pet Safety 🐾👶
Children and pets are naturally curious, making them particularly vulnerable during a home fire. Taking a few proactive steps can help keep our smallest family members—and our four-legged friends—safe!
Here is how to protect kids and pets from fire hazards:
🔥 Child Safety & Fire Curiosity
Matches & Lighters Away: Store all matches, lighters, and candles in high cabinets or locked drawers out of reach.
3-Foot Kid & Pet Free Zone: Keep kids and pets at least 3 feet away from the stove, oven, space heaters, and open flames.
Teach "Stop, Drop, and Roll": Practice this simple movement with children so they know what to do if clothing ever catches fire.
🐕 Pet Fire Safety & Emergency Prep
Pet Rescue Decals: Place a pet alert cling/decal on a front door or window. Clearly note the number and types of pets inside so first responders know who to look for.
Keep Leashes & Carriers Near Exits: Store leashes, harnesses, and pet carriers near an exit door for quick access during an evacuation.
Stove K**b Covers: Curious paws can accidentally bump stove k***s and turn on burners. Use k**b covers or remove k***s when away.
Never Go Back Inside: Once you are safely outside, never re-enter a burning building. Let firefighters know immediately if a pet is still inside and where they like to hide.
Need home safety resources or local assistance in Butler County? Call 2-1-1 to connect with community services.

10/08/2026

🔥 Fire Prevention Week — Day 4: Heating & Electrical Safety 🔥

As the weather cools down, heating and electrical equipment become major causes of home fires. Staying warm shouldn't mean taking unnecessary risks—a few quick precautions can keep your home warm and safe!

Keep these essential heating and electrical rules in mind:

🔌 Space Heater Safety (Give Them Space!)

Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including curtains, bedding, rugs, and furniture.

Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet—never use an extension cord or power strip.

Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.

⚡ Electrical & Outlet Caution

Avoid overloading outlets: Plug only one high-wattage appliance into a wall outlet at a time.

Check cords regularly for fraying, cracks, or damage, and replace compromised cords immediately.

Use extension cords only as a temporary solution—never run them under rugs, doors, or heavy furniture.

If you ever notice warm outlet covers, flickering lights, or a burning smell near electronics, shut off the power at the circuit breaker and consult a qualified electrician right away.

Need home safety resources or local assistance in Butler County? Call 2-1-1 to get connected.



For more safety tips and kid activities, click on the picture below:

This NFPA resource shares simple tips for helping to prevent most heating fires. Use it to educate your community about home heating safety.

10/07/2026

🍳 Fire Prevention Week — Day 3: Kitchen & Cooking Safety 🍳

Did you know that cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries? Whether you're whipping up a quick meal or slow-cooking a family feast, keeping safety top of mind in the kitchen keeps everyone protected!

Here are essential tips to prevent kitchen fires:

👀 Stay in the Kitchen: Never leave food unattended on the stove or grill. If you need to step away—even for a moment—turn off the burner. If you're baking, use a timer to remind you that food is in the oven.

🔥 Grease Fire Safety — Never Use Water!

Water will cause hot grease to splatter and spread the fire instantly.

Smother the Flame: Carefully slide a lid or a cookie sheet over the pan to cut off the oxygen, then turn off the heat source. Leave the lid on until the pan cools completely.

Keep a working fire extinguisher rated for kitchen fires (Class K or ABC) nearby and easily accessible.

Clear away anything that can catch fire—like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, or towels—at least 3 feet away from your stovetop.

Need home safety resources or local assistance in Butler County? Call 2-1-1 to get connected.

10/06/2026

🚪 Fire Prevention Week — Day 2: Home Escape Plans 🚪

When fire strikes, every second counts! Having a plan—and practicing it—can make all the difference in keeping your family safe.

If a fire breaks out, you may have as little as two minutes to safely escape. Here are two key rules for your household's plan:

✌️ Know Two Ways Out
• Walk through your home and identify two ways out of every room (usually a door and a window).
• Make sure all windows and doors open easily and aren't blocked by furniture or stuck shut.
📍 Choose a Safe Outdoor Meeting Spot
• Pick a fixed, safe location in front of your house where everyone will gather (like a specific tree, light pole, or mailbox).
• Make sure all household members know where it is and to stay there once they get out—never go back inside a burning building!

🏠 Today’s Family Challenge:
Gather everyone in your home tonight and walk through your escape plan together. Draw a map, test your routes, and practice gathering at your outdoor meeting spot!

Need assistance or have questions about home safety? Call 2-1-1 to connect with local resources in Butler County.



For more information and kid activities, click on the picture below

Draw a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm.

10/05/2026

🔔 Fire Prevention Week — Day 1: Smoke Alarms 🔔

Smoke alarms are your home’s first line of defense—working silently 24/7 to keep your family safe. A working smoke detector cuts the risk of dying in a home fire in half, but they only work if they’re properly maintained!

Here is your Monday Smoke Alarm Checklist:
✅ Test Monthly: Press the test button until you hear the beep to ensure power and sound work properly.
✅ Replace Batteries Annually: Put a fresh battery in every year (a great reminder is when you change your clocks!).
✅ Replace Units Every 10 Years: Smoke detectors don't last forever. Check the manufacture date on the back—if it's 10 years old or older, replace the entire unit.
✅ Install on Every Level: Place alarms inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every story of your home.

🏠 If you or someone you know in Butler County is in need of a smoke detector, please call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources and assistance program options!

Take 5 minutes today to test the smoke detectors in your home!

10/05/2026

🚨 It’s Fire Prevention Week! 🚨

Protecting our community starts with simple daily habits. All week long, we’ll be sharing daily tips, reminders, and best practices to help keep you, your loved ones, and your pets safe at home.
Stay tuned each day for a new topic! 📲

👉 Follow along, like, and share with your neighbors! Small habits save lives, and working together keeps Butler County safe!



For more information, activities for kids, and more click on the picture below:

This year’s Fire Prevention Week focus on lithium-ion batteries works to better educate the public about how to charge safely.

10/05/2026

Fall brings changing driving conditions. 🍂⚠️

Stay prepared so you're ready for anything behind the wheel.

09/30/2026

📢 PUBLIC NOTICE & COMMUNITY INPUT REQUEST
The draft for the Butler County 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan Revision is now available for public review and comment!
Hazard mitigation planning helps our community identify risks from natural and man-made disasters and develop strategies to reduce their impact. Your input is vital in shaping how we protect our homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

📄 How to Review:
Visit our website at https://www.butlercountypa.gov/688/HAZARD-MITIGATION and then to view the draft plan, click on the graphic Butler County 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan.

✉️ How to Submit Comments:
Please send your feedback or comments via email to [email protected].

⏳ Deadline for Submissions: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Thank you for taking an active role in keeping Butler County safe and resilient!

Butler County's Hazard Mitigation Plan

08/27/2026

Last night, our department had the honor of hosting the annual First Responder Appreciation Dinner alongside the County Commissioners and Chief Clerk as we celebrated the incredible volunteers of Hazmat Team 100 and Swift Water Rescue Team 300.

These men and women give so much to Butler County, and simple words cannot express how deeply valued they are.

A special thank you goes out to the dedicated members of our Butler County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)! For those who may not be familiar, the LEPC serves as a vital community hub for information, emergency planning, and discussion regarding hazardous substances and health and environmental risks. Their behind-the-scenes work keeps our entire response network prepared and coordinated.

During the dinner, each team leader shared updates on their responses, rigorous training hours, and exercises completed so far this year:

🌊 Swift Water Rescue Team 300: Despite the heavy rain and localized flooding Butler County has experienced over the last few months, Team 300 has actually seen a decrease in incident responses! They aren't complaining one bit—they are extremely grateful to our residents for practicing proactive safety by wearing personal flotation devices and, most importantly, never driving through flooded roadways. Keep it up!

⚠️ Hazmat Team 100: On the flip side, Team 100 has seen an uptick in calls this year, primarily driven by motor vehicle accidents involving trucks transporting chemicals. Their continuous training ensures our community remains protected around the clock during these complex situations.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, BUTLER COUNTY! Thank you for prioritizing safety in your daily lives.

And to our dedicated volunteers and the members of our LEPC: saying "Thank You" feels small compared to the immense impact you make every single day, but we mean it from the bottom of our hearts. Butler County is safer because of you! 👏❤️

08/26/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Du6Dy65Z/

Here's an emergency contact card you can print and fill out for the ole bookbag this year. 🎒✏️🚌