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GURLEY – The Gurley/Dalton Fire Department received life-saving grain bin rescue equipment on Tuesday night, thanks to a donation from Farm Credit Services of America. A grain bin rescue exercise followed to train firefighters in the use of the specialized equipment at the Gurley Fire Hall.
The Gurley/Dalton Fire Department received a 10-panel system, slide hammer and other accessories manufactured by Outstate Data in Elbow, Minn. The equipment is designed by rescuers specifically for grain bin entrapments.
Even as the overall rate of serious injuries and fatalities on farms has fallen, the number of grain bin entrapments remains steady, in part because the country's high grain production has led to more bins that require more grain workers.
Grain can engulf and bury a worker in less than 30 seconds. The firefighters learned that grain bin rescue equipment significantly increases the chance of saving a life.
The Gurley/Dalton Fire Departments is among the 84 rural and mostly volunteer departments receiving grain bin rescue equipment and training through FCSAmerica in 2015. Most of the recipient departments are part of mutual aid agreements that allow multiple communities to use and benefit from the equipment.
"The equipment in much appreciated and the training was very valuable," said Gurley Fire Chief Joe Rathman.
Dalton Fire Chief Rollie Parker added, "Can you imagine how many lives could have been saved if this equipment was around 50 years ago? Thanks to FCSAmerica for providing this equipment to our communities."
Farm safety experts caution that bins in many areas of the country are filled with high-moisture corn and beans because of a wet harvest. Crusting can develop inside these bins, increasing the risk of entrapment. Safety experts advise against entering bins without at least two others present; everyone involved should know the steps to take in the event of an entrapment, and no one should attempt a rescue alone.
"FCSAmerica is proud to make grain bin rescue equipment a community service priority," said Darrin Clarkson, the vice president of FCSAmerica's Scottsbluff office. "As a cooperative for farmers and ranchers, we understand the importance of farm safety. We see grain bin rescue equipment as one of the most worthwhile investments we can make in the rural communities we serve."
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