Berrien County Emergency Management

10/09/2026

Just a little fun fact for your Friday!

NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE 101: When used nuclear fuel is removed from a reactor, it is still hot and radioactive and must be cooled before it can be moved to longer-term storage.

The fuel is placed in a deep, water-filled pool at the nuclear power plant known as a spent fuel pool, or “wet storage.”

The water cools the fuel and shields workers from radiation as its heat and radioactivity decrease over time. After several years, the fuel can be transferred to dry cask storage.

10/06/2026

🔥 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK: Know Before You Need 911

A fire can go from “something smells weird” to “get out NOW” in a matter of seconds.

This Fire Prevention Week, take a few minutes to make sure your household is ready:

🚨 Test your smoke alarms. Make sure they work and replace batteries when needed.
🔥 Create a fire escape plan. Know two ways out of every room and choose a meeting place outside.
⏱️ Practice your escape plan. When the alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
🍳 Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires.
🔌 Watch your cords and outlets. Don't overload outlets or use damaged electrical cords.
🕯️ Keep anything that can burn away from heat sources. Candles, heaters, fireplaces and stoves all deserve some space.

And remember: 911 is for emergencies. If there is a fire, smoke, or someone is in immediate danger, get to a safe location and call 911. Don't put yourself at risk trying to fight a fire.

The best fire is the one that never starts. The next best thing? Being ready when it does.

🔥 Prevent it. Plan for it. Practice it.

#911

10/02/2026

This is a TEST of the Berrien County, Michigan Public Alert and Warning System. If an actual emergency were occurring, additional instructions would be provided and the public would be directed to tune into their local broadcast media for more information. This concludes this TEST.

10/02/2026

♻️ Berrien County’s LAST Recycling Event of 2026 is TOMORROW! ♻️

Join them back in Buchanan for the LAST recycling event of the year! This is a great opportunity to responsibly dispose of unwanted items and personal documents and help keep our community clean and sustainable.

🗓 Date: October 3, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Southeast Berrien County Landfill Recycle Center - Buchanan

Be sure to gather your items and drop them off during the event! For a full list of accepted items and additional details, check out the flyer and visit the Berrien County Recycling page.

09/30/2026

📲 National Preparedness Month: Stay Informed!

When severe weather or another emergency is happening, getting reliable information quickly is important. Make sure you know where to turn for official information and emergency alerts. In Berrien County, B-WARN! can help keep you informed about important alerts and warnings affecting our community.

🌩️ Know how you’ll receive alerts -https://zurl.co/ywBST
📱 Keep your phone charged.
📻 Have a backup way to receive information.
👀 Pay attention to changing conditions.
✅ Follow instructions from local officials.

Because when the weather takes a turn, “I’ll just see what Facebook says” probably shouldn't be your entire emergency communications plan. 😅

Stay informed. Stay alert. Stay prepared.

This page explains how you can sign up for B-WARN! Emergency Alerts.

09/24/2026

🎒National Preparedness Month: Build a Kit!

If the power goes out, the roads become impassable, or you suddenly need to shelter in place, having a few basic supplies on hand can make things much easier.

Start with the essentials:
💧 Water
🥫 Nonperishable food
🔦 Flashlights
🔋 Extra batteries
📻 A way to receive emergency information
🩹 First-aid supplies
💊 Needed medications
🔌 Phone chargers/power banks
🐶 Supplies for pets

You don’t have to build your entire emergency kit in one shopping trip. Start with what you have and add to it over time.

Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to start.

09/18/2026

A Flood Watch has been Issued for . Go to www.weather.gov/iwx to learn more.

09/15/2026

📅National Preparedness Month: Make a Plan!

Emergencies don’t always give us a heads-up, so having a plan before something happens can make all the difference.

Take a few minutes this month to talk with your household about:
🏠 Where you’ll go if you need to evacuate
📱 How you’ll communicate if you’re separated
🐾 What you’ll do with your pets
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who may need extra help
📍 Where to meet if you can’t get home

A little planning now can save a lot of stress later. And yes, “we’ll figure it out when it happens” is technically a plan… just not a very good one. 😉

Be informed. Make a plan. Be prepared.

09/11/2026

September 11, 2001 — We Remember.

Twenty-five years later, we still remember where we were, what we were doing, and how our country changed forever on September 11, 2001. Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the families, friends, and communities who continue to carry their memory.

We remember the firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and other first responders who ran toward danger while others were running away. We remember the countless acts of courage, compassion, and sacrifice that emerged from one of our nation's darkest days. And we remember that behind every number was a person — a parent, child, spouse, sibling, friend, coworker, and neighbor whose life mattered.

On this 25th anniversary, may we remember those we lost, honor those who served, and never forget the courage and compassion shown in the days that followed.

September 11, 2001 — Never Forget.

09/10/2026

♻️ Berrien County’s 2026 Recycling Event of 2026 is on Saturday! ♻️

Before heading to the beach on Saturday, gather some unwanted household chemicals, electronics (some fees apply), and foam/polystyrene and recycle them! Join Berrien County Recycling at Silver Beach in St. Joseph for their recycling event! This is a great opportunity to responsibly dispose of items and help keep our community clean and sustainable.

🗓 Date: September 12, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Silver Beach County Park - St. Joseph

For a full list of accepted items and additional details, check out the flyer and visit the Berrien County Recycling page.