First responders receive grain bin safety training

FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. — The Indiana Corn Marketing Council provided training for 196 firefighters and first responders this year, and rescue tubes were given to nine rural fire departments.

Since the start of this program in 2022, three lives have been saved using the equipment and training provided by the ICMC.

“I don’t think you can really put a value on the lives saved through this program,” said Mat Berger, a farmer from Fountain City in east-central Indiana and ICMC board member.

“We ultimately hope that this equipment isn’t used because no one is getting into their grain bins. But when it needs to be used, it is good to know that the equipment is there and the rescuers on the scene know how to use it.”

The ICMC partners with Nationwide and the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety to provide the rescue tubes and training to rural fire departments.

Additional funding was provided by Farm Credit Mid-America.

The program has trained 1,221 Hoosier firefighters and first responders in 36 counties so far.

“We are very grateful to ICMC and Indiana’s farmers for providing us with this life-saving equipment and training,” said Troy McCauley, Webster Township fire chief.

“Every second counts in an emergency like this. Having this equipment and the skills to use it can make a difference for the farmers in our area. I would encourage any fire department without this equipment to contact the Indiana Corn Marketing Council for details on how to receive this.”

To apply for training or equipment, volunteer fire departments can visit incornandsoy.org/grain-bin-safety.

For more information about this program, contact Melanie Batalis at mbatalis@indianacorn.org.