Central Valley Ag (CVA) has unveiled a new grain engulfment training trailer to aid local first responders in grain bin rescues. This $75,000 project, developed in collaboration with EBM Construction, began in March 2023 and is now fully operational.
The initiative was kickstarted with a trailer donated by Klute Truck Equipment and Cornerstone Bank in Bradshaw, Nebraska. EBM Construction transformed it into a functional grain engulfment simulator, with community donations funding a significant portion of the costs, and EBM covering the remaining balance.
Andrew Ellsworth, vice president, EBM Construction, emphasized the trailer’s potential life-saving impact.
"This trailer could save the life of an employee, a friend, or a customer," Ellsworth said. “While rescue videos offer valuable information on effective grain bin rescue, nothing can compete with practicing real-life scenarios. We are thankful to work with CVA on such an impactful project and look forward to the positive difference it will make in our communities.”
The trailer provides a realistic training environment, allowing trainees to be safely submerged in simulated grain to practice extrication techniques.
“The reality is these rescue teams will be responding to real grain entrapment situations,” said Joel Wochner, CVA Bradshaw location manager. “This trailer improves response times and saves lives.”
The trailer is available free of charge to local fire departments for training. The Bradshaw, Hampton, and Henderson Fire Departments have already utilized this resource, and CVA encourages more departments to take advantage.
The new training tool marks a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and preparedness of local first responders in rural communities.
Grain bin safety: Industry-wide initiative
Grain bin entrapment cases in the United States rose nearly 45% from 2021 to 2024. recognizing the severity of this issue, Nationwide has been at the forefront of addressing grain bin safety for over a decade.
The company has been hosting an annual Grain Bin Safety Week, held February 18-24, 2024, since 2014.
Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide, said there is a critical need for proper safety procedures when working around grain bins, and Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety Week is instrumental in advocating for better safety measures in the industry.
Campaign initiatives like the Nominate Your Fire Department Contest raises awareness and promotes safer practices by providing rural fire departments with the necessary rescue training and equipment to handle grain entrapments.
The contest has attracted over 11,000 nominations and awarded tubes and training to 332 fire departments across 32 states. At least seven fire departments have utilized their rescue tubes and training to successfully rescue entrapped workers.
