Ibis Tek employees who worked to contain a fire Wednesday afternoon at their Middlesex Township plant until firefighters arrived deserve praise for their quick thinking and action.

The fire was in an exterior filtration system. Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters pulled more than 20 large, smoking cylindrical filters from the system.

A faulty check valve was believed to have triggered the fire. The 30-foot metal filtration system was smoking heavily, but it initially was believed that the plant's roof was ablaze.

After calling 911 to report the fire, plant workers began using fire extinguishers to keep the blaze in check, preventing a bigger fire, one that could have threatened their livelihoods.

Ibis Tek designs and manufactures specialized vehicle armor, military vehicles and other commercial products. Clearly, the company's employees are not only skilled in their work responsibilities, but also quick-thinking in dealing with the unexpected.

The oppressive heat captured much of the attention of Butler County residents during the past week. There was much talk about how to "beat the heat" and what activities should be curtailed, especially by people considered to be high-risk because of their age or health conditions.Amid the heat, little or no attention was given to another issue that deserves public attention, not only in hot weather but throughout the rest of the year. That is the storing of bags of garbage on porches, behind houses or apartment buildings or anywhere else not in closed containers. The same can be said regarding recyclable containers that aren't rinsed out thoroughly.Garbage bags not in a container are an invitation to rodents and insects — as well as an affront to the sense of smell. Many times bags are torn apart by cats and other animals, with the contents strewn about.Unrinsed containers that once held sweetened drinks are likewise an invitation to insects.Anyone who drives the streets of Butler and its environs can observe properties where such basic considerations are routinely ignored.Perhaps this new spate of hot weather opened some people's eyes, and noses, to the issues — especially if they noticed rodents around the bags of garbage on or under their porches, or in their yards.But the concern should extend to all times of the year, not just when the temperature soars above 90.People of Butler County should strive to put a good face on the county. Strewn-about garbage bags, rodents and swarming insects don't fit that image.

Most people jump at the opportunity to get something for free, even if it's something not in their short- or long-term best interests — or something that might be a hassle.But the emergency response notification system Harmony Borough has implemented is none of that. It's in residents' short- and long-term interests — and becoming part of it is not difficult.All residents need to do is provide contact information to be entered into a notification database. Trouble is, about three-fourths of borough residents have not done so, despite an appeal for participation.This is one opportunity that borough residents should be jumping at, without hesitation. Why many people aren't is anyone's guess.The system in question can make 3,000 calls in a minute to alert residents of an emergency, as well as about other problems such as a disruption of water service. It also can provide the notification via e-mail.Participation is free to residents. After having paid a start-up cost of $282, the borough is charged only 4 cents for each house contacted, and only when a notification situation occurs.According to Sharon McCormick, borough secretary, residents can obtain a sign-up form at the borough office. They also can register on the website www.swiftreach.com.Harmony's system is also installed in neighboring Zelienople, where, according to Borough Manager Don Pepe, it has been tested with "great success."It's in all Harmony residents' best interests to get on board with the service. There could be a time, such as a tornado warning, when having the service would be crucial to safety, even life-saving.Harmony officials are disappointed in the response to date. They have a right to be.<B><I>— J.R.K.</B></I>