BC3 Public Safety Training

10/13/2026

🚒🔥 September at BC3 PSTF: Another Month in the Books! 🔥🚒

September was another busy month at BC3 PSTF! We stayed busy preparing first responders for the real world. We managed to capture a few highlights along the way. Here’s a quick look at what kept us busy!

☣️ Hazmat Training: Our Hazmat students got to get their glow on!

🔎 From Fire to Investigation: We demonstrated fire dynamics through a scenario and brought in fire investigators to walk students through the process, from the initial house fire to the final fire investigation. A great opportunity to see how the pieces fit together after the flames are out!

🧗 Rope Rescue: Our rope rescue students got to practice their best Batman impressions.

🔥 Tanker Truck Fires: The tanker truck was on fire… again… and again!

👨‍🚒 Vo-Tech Students: Students got to see some awesome first responder demos and hear from guest speakers while learning what it takes to serve in public safety.

🚒 Aerial Certification: Beaver Falls Fire Department hosted an Aerial Certification and class, helping firefighters sharpen their skills and take their training to new heights.

🧯 Fire Extinguisher Training: From small extinguishers to larger units, students practiced putting out fires and learning the importance of using the right equipment.

🛠️ New Training Prop: Our friends at Hopewell VFD built a new prop for aerial training and certification exercises. A big thanks to everyone helping us make training better!!! The prop will be used for aerial classes/certifications starting in a few weeks.

🏠 Fire Dynamics in Action: The MaxFirebox and Fire Dynamics House were put to work demonstrating how fires develop and behave under real-world conditions.

And, of course, our Firefighter Entry-Level & FFII Programs continued preparing the next generation of firefighters!

September was packed with learning, hands-on training, teamwork, and plenty of FIRE. If you think the pictures look busy, you should see the cleanup crew afterward! Which is why this post is late.

A huge THANK YOU to all the instructors, Firefighters, EMS, volunteers, Fire departments, guest speakers, and students who helped make another successful month possible.

Check out the pictures and see what we’ve been up to!
Interested in upcoming classes and certifications? Visit www.BC3.edu/fire

Please share with your fellow firefighters and first responders!

Stay Prepared. Stay Trained. Stay Certified.

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

Last chance for those that need the old ELIF Mod. 4

10/04/2026

🚨 BC3 PSTF CLASS & CERTIFICATION UPDATE! 🚨

We’ve got some great training opportunities coming up—but a few of these classes are looking a little lonely. Help us fill the seats!

📚 Instructor II Class & Certification - Starts 10/26 - A few spots still available!

☠️ Carbon Monoxide Detector Response (CORE) - 10/21 - Still needs a few more students!

🚒 Fire Brigade – Advanced & Incipient Certifications - 11/11 & 11/12 - Still looking for a few more students!

🧪 Hazardous Materials Awareness (HMA) Certification - 10/28 - Still needs a few more

Please share this post with your department, fellow firefighters, and anyone who may benefit from the training.

Let’s get these classes filled and keep our responders trained, prepared, and certified!

10/01/2026

2027 BC3 FIRE & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINING UPDATE

Butler County Community College (BC3) has completed a review of the costs associated with providing Fire & Hazardous Materials training through the BC3 Public Safety Training Facility (BC3 PSTF).

Beginning January 1, 2027, BC3 PSTF will be making several changes to the training and billing structure:

🔹 Preferred Training Partnership (PTP) Program Ending -The current PTP program will be discontinued and replaced with a per-course pricing structure.

🔹 New 2027 Course Pricing -Courses will be priced individually based on the resources, instructor requirements, training hours, and costs associated with delivering each program.

🔹 Quarterly Billing Option -Departments may choose to have completed courses tracked throughout the quarter and receive one quarterly invoice rather than individual invoices for each course.

🔹 Individual Billing Still Available - Departments that prefer to be invoiced after each course may continue to use that option.

📋 Why the Change? This updated structure is designed to provide a more consistent, transparent, and sustainable approach to Fire & Hazardous Materials training while allowing BC3 to continue providing quality training to fire and emergency services throughout the region.

Click here for the 2027 course pricing: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EamPHNzXqIcREuXzSssvSpOg6zGisFgg/view?usp=drive_link and click here additional billing information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c36OME6C0CGYmyNoiA3j-nTXe8gIm5GK/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=101946586404297929481&rtpof=true&sd=true

🚒 Our Commitment Remains the Same: BC3 and the BC3 PSTF remain committed to supporting the fire service with accessible, high-quality training and professional development opportunities.

Questions about the changes, pricing, billing options or to schedule a class next year can be directed to: Kevin Smith - Director of Public Safety Training Facility and Programming

Thank you to all of our fire and emergency services partners for your continued support and partnership!

Please feel free to share this information with your fellow fire service training folks and department members!

Help us make sure our training partners have the information they need as we transition to the new 2027 training and billing structure.

09/22/2026

Repeat of Yesterday
BC3 Alert
BC3 Main Campus only. All classes and activities cancelled tonight, Sept. 22, due to a power outage.

09/21/2026

BC3 Alert
BC3 Main Campus only. All classes and activities cancelled tonight, Sept. 21, due to a power outage.

09/21/2026

What a BUSY few weeks for the Butler Vo-Tech students!

These students have been busy learning that Protective Services is a lot more than just flashing lights and cool uniforms!

Over the past few weeks, they’ve had some special guests stop by to talk about different career fields, what they do, and how students can get involved.

We’ve had Fire Chiefs, industrial safety leaders, Game Wardens, Fish & Boat Commission officers, and more share their experiences and give students a firsthand look at the many career opportunities available in Protective Services.

We didn’t just talk about it… The students got to see some of these professionals in action at the BC3 Public Safety Training Facility, where they observed live fire demonstrations on our fire props.

They’ve also been getting hands-on exposure to:
PPE & SCBA, Traffic Control, Fireground Operations & Protective Services Careers

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to help educate and inspire these students about the many career opportunities available in Protective Services. Your time, experience, and willingness to share what you do can make a lasting impact on a future career!

And remember… we’re just getting started! Stay tuned—there’s a lot more to come and plenty more for these students to learn!

Stay Prepared. Stay Trained. Stay Certified.

09/16/2026

Looking to expand your Facilities Fire Brigade Training and Certification?

Is your facility/fire department ready to take its fire brigade training to the next level? The BC3 PSTF Industrial Safety Training Division is offering a 2-Day Facilities Fire Brigade Training & Certification Program designed to provide practical training and certification for facility fire brigade personnel and first responders.

*Two days of training and certification
*Hands-on, practical training
*Designed for industrial/facility/fire brigade personnel & first responders

Check out the attached flyer for complete program details.

Ready to get your team trained, certified, and prepared? Visit www.BC3.Edu/fire and click on the Certification tab for registration information.

Please feel free to share.

Stay Prepared. Stay Trained. Stay Certified.