Agricultural Rescue Programming focuses on providing awareness to the first responders and fire fighters of agricultural emergencies. As people become less connected to the farming community, there is a need to provide background and basic education on agricultural practices and equipment for first responders and fire fighters. This provides the first responders with helpful information to assist with their technical training when called to the scene of an incident.
Topics available for awareness to first responders and fire fighters:
- Chemical Hazards
- Confined Spaces
- Electrical Hazards
- Livestock Safety
- First on the Scene
- Farm Machinery/Tractors
Another resource is the Grain C.A.R.T. (Comprehensive Agricultural Rescue Trailer) for grain awareness programming. This trailer is available for awareness programming for local farmers, farm families, classroom schools, etc to stay safe while working around grain storage facilities. The second target audience is first responders who respond to grain entrapment emergencies. The firefighter training is conducted by the Ohio Fire Academy.
Every 10 years, 235 farmers lose their life in an agricultural-related incident. Grain bin fatalities are steadily increasing each year. Such fatalities occur for a variety of reasons with the two most common being suffocation by engulfment and entanglement with moving parts.
The overarching goal was to develop a comprehensive agricultural rescue program. The program consists of Ohio Fire Academy curriculum, professional training for first responders, as well as OSU Ag Safety Grain Handling Awareness curriculum for outreach education and awareness for farmers and agricultural industries.
Why the Grain C.A.R.T.?
A training need was identified for first responders who are called to an agricultural scene where grain is stored. Grain bin rescues can be classified as confined space rescues, requiring technical training in various capacities. Rescue personnel have requested specific training in these unconventional rescue situations, where they have limited experience and limited knowledge of the agricultural conditions that exist. With the help of the Grai C.A.R.T. we hope to:
- Create various levels of rescue exercises, that simulate real life rescue situations first responders may encounter in rural emergencies.
- Increase the capacity within rural rescue teams by optimizing the first responders’ knowledge and skill when responding to rural emergencies.
- Create an awareness for hazards on farms and reinforce best management practices while working in and around grain storage bins.
Who made the Grain C.A.R.T. possible?
This program maximizes the public-private partnerships between Ohio State University (OSU) Extension, the Ohio Fire Academy, and agribusinesses to address Ohio’s agricultural rescue training and education opportunities. The purpose of this project was to build a state-of-the-art mobile grain bin rescue training unit for direct delivery training and outreach education.
OSU Extension and the Ohio Fire Academy have a history of agricultural rescue education collaboration that began in the late 1980’s. Examples include the training modules for on-site use at the Fire Academy, agricultural rescue demonstrations at Farm Science Review, presentations at OSU Extension field day events, and Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Safety Congress. The program has been requested by communities, hospitals, and fire departments for on-site delivery at events such as county fairs, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation regional training events, and regional continuing education events for first responders.
Project Sponsors
As founding sponsors, we are especially appreciative of the contributions made by the following companies. These companies believed in the concept, and stepped up to assist the student team to design and build the trailer. The state of Ohio is truly provileged to have this type of training unit available. Agricultural communities continue to benefit from their contributions. A sincere thank you is extended to these companies for their gift to The Ohio State University, and ultimately to rescue personnel and farm families across the state. In alphabetical order:
- All-Phase Electric
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The Andersons
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Cargill AgHorizons
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Custom Agri Services
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Deerfield Farms Service
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Francis & Shipley Farms
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Gingway Products
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Heritage Coop
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Honeyville Metal
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JD Equipment
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Land O'Lakes
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Loadout Technologies
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Mennel Milling Company
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Ohio Fire Academy
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Rainbow Industries
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Sims Construction
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Unverferth Manufacturing