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Gold firefighter badge with "BTFD" at the top, "Fire" on the left, "Rescue" on the right, "Est. 1978" at the bottom, and a center image of a tree, water, and sunset. Text within says "Devoted to Duty Above Personal Risk.
The image displays the word "BLUFFTON" in capital letters with a gold-colored serif font on a white background.

Media Guide

A guide to working with the Bluffton Township Fire District’s Public Information Office.

Partnering With the Media

Clear Communication, Shared Responsibility, and a Commitment to Public Safety

The Bluffton Township Fire District Media Guide is designed to assist media professionals with understanding how and when to access information from BTFD. It reflects our agency’s philosophy of operating transparently, communicating quickly, and partnering with media professionals to keep the public informed.

What You'll Find Inside

Public Information Philosophy
The Public Information Office supports fast, clear communication with media representatives while protecting sensitive information and the dignity of those affected by incidents.

What Information Is Available

  • Incident type, location, and timeline
  • Apparatus involved in the response
  • General damage or incident description
  • Public statements during breaking news

What Cannot Be Released

  • Victim names or addresses
  • Medical conditions (HIPAA-protected)
  • Investigative details not authorized for public release
  • Juvenile information or DSS/DMH-related incidents

Media Contact Guidelines
How to reach the Public Information Office during and after business hours, who to contact, and how to ensure your inquiry is processed quickly.

Subject Matter Experts
Learn who from BTFD is available to speak on topics such as fire prevention, emergency response, community safety programs, and department operations.

Social Media Alerts
Follow @BlufftonFire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the most current updates. Breaking information may appear on social platforms before formal news releases.

Station Overview & Leadership
Get to know BTFD’s structure, station locations, and key leadership staff across command, administrative, and operations divisions.

Frequently Asked Questions
From fire scene access to weekend updates and interviews, find answers to common questions about covering incidents involving BTFD.

2024 Media Guide cover for Bluffton Township Fire District, featuring images of fire trucks, firefighters, and department shields, plus contact information and text for media partners on a red and white background.

Media Contact

Public Information Office

For breaking incidents after hours, call or text the on-call PIO (listed in guide).

2024 Media Guide
(PDF • 6.1 MB)