Fire/Ambulance
Ambulance and fire services in Butler Township are provided by Valley Regional Fire & Rescue, which was formed through a merger of Butler Township Fire Co. and Conyngham Fire Co. in 2005. More than 50 active members, including junior firefighters, serve their community as part of Valley Regional.
Valley Regional operates out of two locations:
- East Station at 14 W. Butler Drive in Butler Township
- West Station at 360 Main St. in Conyngham
Most of Valley Regional’s firefighters are certified to the state level and many are trained to the national level. The department is trained and prepared to handle incidents including fire suppression, rope rescue, structural collapse rescue, vehicle rescue, swift water rescue, dive rescue, trench rescue, truck work and emergencies involving Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS).
The company’s equipment includes fire engines, a tower ladder, a tanker, a brush fire vehicle, ambulances, a technical rescue trailer and more.
Valley Regional’s medic unit is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by paramedics, emergency medical technicians and prehospital registered nurses.
Emergency Management
Alan Kost has been appointed as emergency management coordinator for Butler Township and Conyngham Borough. In this role, he coordinates internal and exteral resources and plans for the township and the borough in the event of an emergency in conjunction with the Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Michael Zoshak assists as deputy coordinator.
The township participates in county drills as well as training offered through the state and county. The state, county and township work in partnership to protect the public’s health, safety and environment by helping prepare for, manage and recover from disasters, emergencies or security threats. Emergencies could include floods, blizzards, nuclear power plant breakdowns or other natural disasters or large-scale events.
The county Emergency Management Agency coordinates the emergency plans of Butler Township with those of other municipalities, and the county agency directs responses for emergencies occurring in two or more townships.
In the event of a disaster, emergency management coordinators help arrange for resources for residents or others who are affected by the situation. They notify Luzerne County of emergencies in the township or, in turn, notify the township of emergencies in the county and activate an emergency operations center (EOC).