Indiana Firefighters Receive Grain Bin Rescue Training to Help Save Farmers’ Lives
Grain entrapment is the leading cause of injuries and fatalities on the farm. That’s why the Indiana Corn Marketing Council—along with support from Farm Credit Mid-America—is providing grain bin rescue training to Indiana firefighters this week as part of Grain Bin Safety Week!
“Emergencies happen on the farm, so hopefully we’re equipping all these fire departments across the state with the resources that they need,” says Brittney Miller, Financial Officer with Farm Credit Mid-America’s office in Anderson.
Brittney met Hoosier Ag Today at Edgewood Firewood Department in Madison County, as firefighters were learning how to use their new Grain Rescue Tube and Auger as part of their rescue training.
“In the surrounding counties, we’ve had to use these grain bin rescue tubes to save lives, so we have seen them where there are successful,” she says.
The training class with the Edgewood Fire Department was taught by Dan Neenan with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS). In addition to a one-hour classroom, Neenan provided hands-on training with firefighters and emergency personnel to teach how to safely and effectively respond to grain entrapments—incidents that can quickly become fatal without proper tools and training.
The NECAS team brought their 13-foot-tall, 24-foot-long mobile grain bin rescue simulator to Kokomo Grain-Anderson for the hands-on training, which also included the Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Department and Daleville-Salem Township Fire Protection Territory.
“We’re incredibly honored to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Evan Hulett of Edgewood Fire Department. “Having this equipment and the skills to use it can make all the difference when seconds count in a grain bin emergency.”
Among the other fire departments across the state receiving training this week include the Kent Fire Company in Madison, the Fairland Volunteer Fire Department in Shelby County, and Center Township Volunteer Fire Department in LaPorte County.
Brittney adds that Farm Credit Mid-America’s support of this important grain bin rescue training program speaks to their mission—which is to secure the future of rural communities.
“We are more than just a lender. We’re here to support farmers whatever that may be and however that looks,” she says. “Whether that’s keeping them safe, whether that’s supporting their kid in the county fair, we’re here for them and their operation completely, not just to make loans for them everyday.”
For more information about Grain Bin Safety Week or NECAS training programs, visit www.necasag.org or contact NECAS at 888-844-6322.
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