Author: Evan Tate
Planning Unit: Hancock County CES
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Plan of Work: Dealing with Market Fluctuations
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Each year farmer's enter grain bins during clean out , many without safety gear. Furthermore, most of the grain bins in the region are older and lack some of the manufacturer safety features that are common today. Additionally many first responders including volunteer firefighters are removed from the farm and have never been inside grain storage faciliites. Therefore, The Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with the Hancock County Farm Bureau, Hancock County Fair Board, Hancock County Grain Committee and The Kentucky Department of Agriculture to host a grain bin entrapment rescue training seminar for local first responders and farmers.
KDA personnel completed a hands on course for first responders in an actual real life scenario where individuals had to be rescued from entrapment. The department showcased numerous types of rescue equipment that is not often readily available or used during any first responder training. The firefighters, in full gear used the equipment to gain an understanding of its implementation in a grain rescue scenario. Firefighters were encouraged to work as a team to provide oversight to one another during the process of excavation the victim. The HCCES went to great lengths to provide on lookers a better experience during the training, as a live video feed was broadcast for all in attendance to be able to see the process. Furthermore, HCCES partnered with the local FBLA chapter to record and produce a dvd of the night's educational program so that it could be distributed free of charge to individuals unable to attend the training.
Firefighters, many young in age noted that this was the first time that they had ever walked in grain and had no understanding before the event. KDA provided all first responders with take home information and they received continuing education credits for their attendance. Numerous DVDs have been distributed to farmers and first responders alike, and currently Hancock County Farmers are requiring employees to watch the video as part of safety training before harvest.
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