Dodge County Emergency Management

10/22/2026

CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

Disasters bring out the scammers, too.

During an emergency, be careful with:

• Urgent requests for money
• Fake donation links
• Requests for personal information
• Messages asking you to click a link
• “Official” updates from unknown accounts

Before you click, donate, or respond:

STOP.
CHECK.
VERIFY.

Don’t let someone else’s emergency become your cybersecurity problem.

10/20/2026

Looking to learn more about weather? The National Weather Service offers free Weather101 classes covering topics like winter weather, lightning, and more.

These virtual classes are open to anyone, anywhere. Check out the schedule and register for upcoming sessions!

Learn more: https://weather.gov/ohx/weather101

It's another full week of Weather101 ahead! From Winter Weather to Lightning, we cover it all. Get signed up for any or all of this week's classes here: weather.gov/ohx/weather101

Anyone from anywhere can attend...for FREE!

10/19/2026

School safety doesn’t stop at the school doors.

Every school day, students are traveling to and from school, making bus safety an important part of keeping our students safe.

It’s School Bus Safety Week, so let’s all do our part:

🔺 Slow down. Give buses plenty of room.
🔺 Stop. Watch for flashing lights and the stop arm.
🔺 Stay alert. Watch for students near the bus.
🔺 Put distractions away. Keep your eyes on the road.

Let’s help make sure every student gets to school and back home safely.

10/14/2026

CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

Your phone is part of your emergency kit. Protect it.

Your phone can help you:
• Receive emergency alerts
• Call for help
• Contact family
• Find important information

Take 5 minutes to:
• Turn on two-step verification
• Install updates
• Back up important files
• Make sure you can recover your accounts
• Think before clicking unexpected links

A little digital preparedness goes a long way.

10/12/2026

Dodge County Emergency Management is proud to recognize Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Matthew Bartol for earning his Wisconsin Certified Emergency Manager-Basic certification at the end of September during the Wisconsin Emergency Management Association Conference.

Professional development is an important part of strengthening our ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. This achievement reflects Matthew’s commitment to continuing to build the knowledge and skills needed to support emergency management efforts throughout Dodge County.

Congratulations to Matthew on this accomplishment!

10/10/2026

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK | DAY 7

Safe charging is a superpower.

This Fire Prevention Week, remember:
• Cheap charger? Don't chance it.
• Soft surface? Hard pass.
• Fully charged? Unplug it.
• Tools and rides? Charge outside.
• Feels hot? Stop using it.
• Flying? Keep batteries in your carry-on.

Small charging habits can make a big difference.

Dodge County Emergency Management supports Fire Prevention Week. We're sharing fire safety information all week to help keep Dodge County safe, prepared, and informed.

10/09/2026

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK | DAY 6

On a flight? Keep it in sight.

Planning to travel with a phone, laptop, power bank, or another device with a lithium-ion battery?

Keep spare batteries and power banks in your carry-on baggage, never in checked luggage. If a lithium battery overheats or catches fire, a problem in the cabin can be detected and addressed much more quickly than one in the cargo hold.

If a device or battery is swollen, damaged, unusually hot, or showing other signs of a problem, don't use it or bring it onto the aircraft.

Dodge County Emergency Management supports Fire Prevention Week. We're sharing fire safety information all week to help keep Dodge County safe, prepared, and informed.

10/08/2026

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK | DAY 5

Feels hot? Stop using it.

A battery or charger that becomes unusually hot, swells, leaks, smells strange, or makes unusual noises could be showing signs of a problem.

Stop using it and move away from the device. If the battery starts to smoke or shows signs of rapid failure, move away, evacuate, and call 911. Do not attempt to put out a lithium-ion battery fire yourself.

Don't ignore the warning signs. When it comes to batteries, trust your instincts.

Dodge County Emergency Management supports Fire Prevention Week. We're sharing fire safety information all week to help keep Dodge County safe, prepared, and informed.

10/07/2026

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK | DAY 4

For tools and rides, charge outside.

E-bikes, scooters, power tools, and other devices with larger lithium-ion batteries can store a lot of energy. If a battery fails while charging, it can produce intense heat, flames, and toxic smoke.

Whenever possible, charge these devices outside and away from doors, windows, and anything that can burn.

And never charge a damaged battery. If a battery is swollen, leaking, cracked, or unusually hot, stop using it.

Dodge County Emergency Management supports Fire Prevention Week. We're sharing fire safety information all week to help keep Dodge County safe, prepared, and informed.

10/06/2026

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK | DAY 3

Fully charged? Time to unplug.

Rechargeable devices and their chargers can generate heat while charging. Leaving them plugged in longer than necessary can add unnecessary heat and stress to the battery.

When your device is fully charged, unplug it and put the charger away.

A few extra hours of charging isn't worth the risk.

Charge it. Unplug it. Stay safe.

Dodge County Emergency Management supports Fire Prevention Week. We're sharing fire safety information all week to help keep Dodge County safe, prepared, and informed.