“With significantly more corn in storage, we’re already seeing a concerning rise in grain bin entrapments across the country this year,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Nationwide remains committed to preventing these tragedies by equipping local first responders with the life-saving rescue tools and training they need. While we’re incredibly proud that these resources have helped save 16 lives since 2014, including a recent rescue earlier this month in Missouri, we know there is still more work to be done.”

To raise awareness and help prevent these accidents, Nationwide has opened its 13^th annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in recognition of Grain Bin Safety Week.

Startling facts: Injuries & fatalities from grain bins*

• In 2024, at least 34 grain entrapments were documented – a 25% increase from 2023.
• There were 584 documented entrapments between 2007 and 2024. It’s estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.
• In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without assistance. In just 20 seconds, an adult can be fully engulfed.
• 100% of grain bin entrapments are preventable.

Grain Bin Safety Week continues to make an impact: February 15-21, 2026

Nationwide initiated its annual Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014 to raise awareness of the dangers of working in grain bins and promote a zero-entry mentality. Grain Bin Safety Week, which takes place Feb. 15-21, 2026, brings a national spotlight to the issue each year.

A key component of Grain Bin Safety Week is the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, which aims to supply fire departments across rural America with the specialized rescue training and equipment needed to respond if an entrapment occurs. Since 2014, Nationwide and partners have awarded 452 grain rescue tubes to first responders across 35 states – providing over $2 million in resources in partnership with local sponsors.

The Nominate Your Fire Department Contest is now open until April 30, 2026. Learn how to nominate your local fire department here.

Nationwide works closely each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to deliver both the rescue equipment and hands-on training.

“Rural fire departments are often the only line of defense when an entrapment occurs,” said Dan Neenan, director at NECAS. “It’s critically important to ensure these first responders not only have the specialized rescue equipment, but also the training needed to respond effectively. NECAS is proud to join Nationwide and its partners to make a difference.” 

For more information about the program or the nomination process, visit www.GrainBinSafetyWeek.com.  For anyone who would like to get involved or sponsor a rescue tube in your area, visit the Grain Bin Safety Week donations page.

Grain Bin Safety Week is made possible by the following generous partners:

• Central Valley Ag
• CHS
• David Larson Insurance Services
• Delaware Farm Bureau
• Delaware Soybean Board
• Gregerson Salvage
• Growmark
• Horizon Farm Credit
• Hummel Group
• Indiana Corn Marketing Council
• KC Supply
• Lutz Agency
• Maryland Farm Bureau
• MissouriCorn
• Nationwide
• NECAS
• New York Farm Bureau
• NOHR Wortmann Engineering
• Ohio Farm Bureau
• Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
• ProValue Insurance
• Specialty Risk Insurance
• Syngenta
• TrueNorth Companies
• Westside Salvage

After receiving more than 750 nominations in the 2025 Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, an annual component of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety efforts, the insurance carrier and its partners announced that they awarded grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to the following 62 fire departments across rural America in 2025.

1. Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Company - Adamsburg, PA
2. Baltimore County Fire Station - Parkton, MD
3. Boalsburg Fire Company - Boalsburg, PA
4. Boardman Oregon Fire Rescue District - Boardman, OR
5. Bono Fire Protection District - Bono, AR
6. Breeding Area Volunteer Fire Department - Breeding, KY
7. Camp Dick Fire & Rescue - Lancaster, KY
8. Canby Fire Rescue - Canby, MN
9. Cass-Clinton Volunteer Fire Department - Wanatah, IN
10. Clearwater Fire Department - Clearwater, KS
11. Columbia County Fire District 3 - Dayton, WA
12. Coulterville Fire - Coulterville, IL
13. East Prairie Fire Department - East Prairie, MO
14. Eaton Fire Protection District - Eaton, CO
15. Edgewood Fire Department - Anderson, IN
16. Elkville Fire Department - Elkville, IL
17. Fairland Volunteer Fire Department - Fairland, IN
18. Felton Community Fire Company - Felton, DE
19. Fire Department Mount Joy - Mount Joy, PA
20. Fischer Rescue Squad - Fort Payne, AL
21. Forreston Fire Protection District - Forreston, IL
22. Frankford Volunteer Fire Company - Frankford, DE
23. Genesee Fire Department - Genesee, ID
24. Harmony Volunteer Fire Department - Olin Station - Olin, NC
25. Hazleton White River Fire Territory - Hazleton, IN
26. Henry Volunteer Fire Department - Henry, SD
27. Holly Volunteer Fire Department - Holly, CO
28. Howard Volunteer Fire Department - Avoca, NY
29. Hudson Fire Department - Hudson, IL
30. Hugo Fire Protection District - Hugo, CO
31. Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Department - Kennedyville, MD
32. Kenova Volunteer Fire Department - Kenova, WV
33. Kent Fire Company - Madison, IN
34. La Junta Fire Department - La Junta, CO
35. Lehr Fire District - Lehr, ND
36. Manchester Volunteer Fire Company - Manchester, MD
37. Martinsburg Area Fire Protection District - Martinsburg, MO
38. Midway Fire Protection District - Stark City, MO
39. Millstadt Union Fire Department - Millstadt, IL
40. Minneota Fire Department - Minneota, MN
41. Montgomery Fire Department - Montgomery, MI
42. Montgomery County Special Operations - Gaithersburg, MD
43. Montgomery Fire Protection District - Montgomery City, MO
44. Morgantown Rural Fire Department - Morgantown, IN
45. Nemaha Rural Fire Department - Nemaha, NE
46. New Plymouth Fire Protection District - New Plymouth, ID
47. North Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department - North Fairfield, OH
48. Queen Anne-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company - Queen Anne, MD
49. Radcliffe Fire Department - Radcliffe, IA
50. Ritzville Fire Department - Ritzville, WA
51. Rosalie Rescue Squad - Pisgah, AL
52. St. John Volunteer Fire Department - St John, WA
53. Stella Rural Fire Protection District Station 3 - Stella, MO
54. Story City/Lafayette Township Fire Department - Story City, IA
55. Transfer Volunteer Fire Department - Greenville, PA
56. Troy Mills Fire Department - Troy Mills, IA
57. Upland Rural Fire Department - Upland, NE
58. Valley Township Fire Department - Danville, PA
59. Vigilant Hose Company - Emmitsburg, MD
60. Volunteer Hose Company of Middletown - Middletown, DE
61. Woodland Township Fire Department - Woodland, MI
62. York Springs Fire Company - York Springs, PA 

NECAS also provided re-training for the following 10 fire departments: 

1. Axtell Volunteer Fire & Rescue - Axtell, NE
2. Carthage Fire Department - Carthage, MO
3. Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company - Clear Spring, MD – re-training scheduled for 2026
4. Golden City Volunteer Fire Department - Golden City, MO
5. Granger Fire Department - Granger, IA
6. Missouri Soybean Association Event - Columbia, MO
7. Polo Fire Protection District - Polo, IL
8. Seaford Volunteer Fire Department - Seaford, DE
9. Toledo Fire Protection District - Toledo, IL
10. Washington County Fire Department - Hoyleton, IL 

In partnership with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), Nationwide and its partners have now supplied grain rescue equipment and training to 452 first responders across 35 states, eclipsing over $2 million in resources provided, to help prepare them when local grain entrapments occur.

“With two rescues this summer, six in 2024, and a total of 15 lives saved since the program began in 2014, Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety program continues to make a powerful and lasting impact in communities across the country,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re grateful to the firefighters and community partners who have turned training and equipment into saved lives — proof that these resources truly make a difference.”

NECAS delivered grain rescue tubes and training to 62 fire departments and provided re-training to 10 others, traveling to each site with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators. The comprehensive training sessions included classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

Nationwide continues to work with partners throughout the year to provide additional grain rescue tubes and training sessions to fire departments in need. To learn how to get involved or sponsor a rescue tube for your local fire department, visit the Partner With Us webpage.

The program is supported by Nationwide, NECAS and the following generous partners:

1. KC Supply, NECAS, Nationwide Agribusiness, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Horizon Farm Credit, Maryland Grain Producers, Farm Credit of Southern Colorado, Specialty Risk Insurance, Lutz Agency, Inc, Missouri Soybean Association, Maryland Soybean Board, Delaware Soybean Board, CHS, Farm Credit Mid-America, Northwest Grain Growers, ProValue Insurance, Delaware Farm Bureau, Ohio Farm Bureau, New York Farm Bureau, Maryland Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Westside Salvage, Gregerson Salvage, GROWMARK, Pledge Insurance Advisors, Terminal Solutions, Agfinity, Panichelle Insurance, Ritzville Warehouse, Morrow County Grain Growers, Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative, Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Corn Board, Valley View Agri-Systems, Gallagher, TrueNorth Companies, Farm Credit of Illinois, Sump Saver, NOHR Wortmann Engineering, IRMI, Central Valley Ag (CVA), Grain Weevil

In Fulton County, Illinois, the Macomb Fire Department responded to a call about a farmer trapped in corn up to their chin. Although the department didn’t need to deploy its grain rescue tube, received in 2023 through Nationwide’s program and sponsored by GROWMARK, the firefighters relied on the specialized training they received to safely extract the victim.

“Safety is paramount for the GROWMARK FS System,” said Karmy Kays, GROWMARK Chief Financial Officer. “We are proud to support first responders with the equipment needed to potentially save lives.”

Just one day later in Hutchinson, Minnesota, the Hutchinson Fire Department used its grain rescue tube and training, sponsored by David Larson Insurance, to save a farmer buried nearly to their neck in corn.

“In 2018, David Larson Insurance helped purchase a grain rescue tube for the Hutchinson Fire Department, and Nationwide provided excellent training,” said Craig Schmeling, agent at David Larson Insurance. “We are thankful to Nationwide and their affiliates for that training and to the Hutchinson Firefighters for their time and sacrifice. Knowing that this training and equipment helped save a life in our community is something we’re profoundly grateful for.”

The need for these resources remains significant. With two rescues this summer, six rescues in 2024, and a total of 15 lives saved since 2014, Nationwide’s program continues to make a meaningful impact in rural communities. Thanks to the support of local sponsors and partners, the program has awarded 450 grain rescue tubes to first responders across 36 states – over $2 million in resources provided. Nationwide collaborates each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to deliver the rescue equipment and provide safety training.

“As a protection company, there’s nothing more important to us than protecting lives, so the Grain Bin Safety program was created,” said Paul Stevenson, risk management expert and Grain Bin Safety team lead at Nationwide. “It is a great honor to know that 15 folks so far can go home to their families and have dinner because of a program we developed and executed, to provide assets and training to those who can save the life – the fire departments.” 

With continued support from local sponsors and growing awareness across rural communities, the Grain Bin Safety program is helping turn dangerous moments into stories of survival.

Startling facts: Injuries & fatalities from grain bins*

• In 2023, at least 27 grain entrapments were reported. There were 16 fatalities (15 in 2022).
• More than 300 grain entrapments have been recorded in the past decade. It’s estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.
• In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without assistance. In just 20 seconds, an adult can be fully engulfed.
• Suffocation from engulfment or oxygen-deficient atmospheres is the leading cause of death in grain accidents.

“There continues to be a significant need for these resources, and we’re grateful to see our program is making a real impact with six successful rescues last year and a total of 13 lives saved since 2014,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “For over a decade, Nationwide has been a leader in the fight to correct this industry issue, and while we’re incredibly proud of the efforts and the many partners who’ve made them possible, there is more work to be done.”

Grain Bin Safety Week continues to make an impact: February 16-22, 2025

Nationwide initiated its annual Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014 to raise awareness of the dangers of working in grain bins and promote a zero-entry mentality. Grain Bin Safety Week, which takes place Feb. 16-22, 2025, brings a national spotlight to the issue each year.

A key component of Grain Bin Safety Week is the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, which aims to supply fire departments across rural America with the specialized rescue training and equipment needed to respond if an entrapment occurs. Since 2014, Nationwide and partners have awarded 390 grain rescue tubes to first responders across 32 states – nearly $2 million in resources provided.

The Nominate Your Fire Department Contest is now open until April 30, 2025. Learn how to nominate your local fire department here.

Nationwide collaborates each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to deliver the rescue equipment and provide safety training.

“Time is of the essence when responding to these accidents and rural fire departments are often the only line of defense when an entrapment takes place in their region,” said Dan Neenan, director at NECAS. “It’s critically important to ensure these first responders not only have the specialized rescue equipment, but also the training needed to respond effectively. NECAS is proud to join Nationwide and its partners to make a difference.” 

For more information about the program, nomination process or how you can get involved, visit www.GrainBinSafetyWeek.com. 

Grain Bin Safety Week is made possible by the following generous partners:

KC Supply
NECAS
IN Corn Marketing Council
Horizon Farm Credit
Maryland Grain Producers
Specialty Risk Insurance
Lutz Agency
Maryland Soybean Board
CHS
Delaware Soybean Board
ProValue Insurance LLC
Valley View Agri-Systems
GROWMARK
Gregerson Salvage
West Side Salvage
Pledge Insurance Advisors
Delaware Farm Bureau
Ohio Farm Bureau
Maryland Farm Bureau
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
New York Farm Bureau
Gallagher
True North Companies
Sump Saver
IRMI
NOHR Wortmann Engineering
Grain Weevil Corporation
 

All cash contributions help purchase grain bin tubes and/or training. All donations are managed through the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

For official rules, visit nationwide.com/GBSWContestRules

“FARM BUREAU” and the Farm Bureau mark are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and used under license by Nationwide. 

Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2025

 *Sources: Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities; Purdue University

In partnership with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), Nationwide and its partners have now supplied grain rescue equipment and training to 390 first responders across 32 states, eclipsing over $1.7 million in resources provided, to help prepare them when local grain entrapments occur.

“Grain bin accidents continue to be a critical issue facing the agriculture industry,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Since beginning the Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014, at least 13 fire departments have successfully used their rescue tubes and training to save entrapped individuals, with six rescues occurring just in 2024.”

After receiving over a thousand nominations in the 2024 Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, an annual component of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, the insurer and its partners are proud to have awarded grain rescue tubes and training to the following 58 fire departments this year:

1. Alicia Volunteer Fire Department – Alicia, AR
2. Amity Volunteer Fire Department – Franklin, IN
3. Aubbeenaubbee Volunteer Fire Department – Leiters Ford, IN
4. Burnettsville Volunteer Fire Company – White, IN
5. Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Company – Nazareth, PA
6. Cecilton Volunteer Fire Department – Cecilton, MD
7. Chautauqua County Emergency Services – Mayville, NY
8. Church Hill Fire Department – Church Hill, MD
9. Clinton Township Fire Department – Tiffin, OH
10. Citizens Hose Company – Smyrna, DE
11. City of Ludington Fire Department – Ludington, MI
12. City of Russell Fire Department – Russell, KS
13. Conway Fire Department – Atkins, AR
14. Crabtree Fire Department – Crabtree, PA
15. Dickeyville New Paris Fire – Dickeyville, WI
16. Edinburg Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. – Edinburg, VA
17. Elberon Fire and Rescue – Elberon, IA
18. Froid Volunteer Fire Department – Froid, MT
19. Gilbert-Franklin Township Fire Station – Gilbert, IA
20. Golva Rural Fire Protection District – Golva, ND
21. Grafton Volunteer Fire Department – Grafton, OH
22. Hannaford Fire Department – Hannaford, ND
23. Hartford County Special Operations Team – Forest Hill, MD
24. Hartly Volunteer Fire Company – Hartly, DE
25. Hockessin Fire Company – Hockessin, DE
26. Hoffman Fire Protection District – Hoffman, IL
27. Iowa State University Feed Mill – Ames, IA
28. Iselin/West Lebanon Fire Company – Saltsburg, PA
29. Jasper Volunteer Fire Department – Jasper, MN
30. Jefferson Township Fire Department – Bowersville, OH
31. Jessamine County Fire District – Nicholasville, KY
32. Lake of the Four Seasons Fire Force – Hebron, IN
33. Lawrence County Fire & Rescue – Lawrenceburg, TN
34. Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company – Woodbine, MD
35. Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department – Mulberry, IN
36. Marion Fire Company – Stounchsburg, PA
37. Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company – Maugansville, MD
38. Melrose Volunteer Fire Department – Melrose, IA
39. New Midway Fire Company – New Midway, MD
40. Newell Volunteer Fire Department – Newell, WV
41. North Marshall Fie Department – Britton, SD
42. Northmoreland Township Volunteer Fire Company – Dallas, PA
43. Norway Fire & Rescue – Norway, IA
44. Penn Township – Vandalia, MI
45. Petit Jean Fire Department/Conway County Volunteer Fire Department – Morrilton, AR
46. Poe Volunteer Fire Department – Ft. Wayne, IN
47. Red Bud Fire Department – Red Bud, IL
48. Rowan County Rescue Squad – Salisbury, NC
49. Royalton Volunteer Fire Department – Royalton, IL
50. Scipio Fire Department – Scipio Center, NY
51. Stuttgart Fire Department – Stuttgart, AR
52. Tate County Emergency Services – Senatobia, MS
53. Teutopolis Fire Protection District – Teutopolis, IL
54. Towanda Fire Department – Towanda, IL
55. Upperco Volunteer Fire Department – Upperco, MD
56. West Mineral Volunteer Fire Department – West Mineral, KS
57. West Point Volunteer Fire Department – West Point, IN
58. Wheaton Fire Protection District – Wheaton, MO
59. Maryland Commodity Classic – Centreville, MD – presentation
60. Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company – Jarrettsville, MD – re-training
61. Harrington Volunteer Fire Company – Harrington, DE – re-training
62. Elgin Beaverdam Hose Company – Erie County, PA – re-training
63. Rome Fire Department – Rome, OH – re-training
64. Portland Volunteer Fire Department – Portland, IN – re-training
65. Rushville Township Volunteer Fire Department – Rushville, IN – re-training
66. Dermott Fire Department – Dermott, AR– re-training
67. Salem, South Dakota high school students and community members – presentation

NECAS, based out of Peosta, IA, delivered the rescue tubes and training to 58 fire departments, conducted re-training for seven additional fire departments, and hosted two unique presentations throughout 2024, traveling to each location with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators. The comprehensive training sessions included classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

“With entrapments and accidents on the rise, it’s as important as ever to be following proper safety precautions before entering a bin,” said Liggett. “Visit our Grain Bin Safety page to find educational resources and tools to help maintain grain quality and prevent accidents. Thank you to our generous partners who have supported this cause.”

Nationwide is continuing to work with partners throughout the year to provide additional grain rescue tubes and training sessions to fire departments in need. To learn how to get involved or sponsor a rescue tube for your local fire department, visit the Partner With Us webpage.

The program is supported by Nationwide, NECAS and the following generous partners:

KC Supply, NECAS, Nationwide Agribusiness, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Maryland Grain Producers, Horizon Farm Credit, Lutz Agency, Inc, Specialty Risk Insurance, CHS, Delaware Soybean Board, Maryland Soybean Board, Valley View Agri-Systems, Farm Credit Mid-America, ProValue Insurance, LLC, Delaware Farm Bureau, GROWMARK, Gregerson Salvage, Inc., Kelly Jones Insurance Agency, LLC, West Side Salvage, Nutrien, Noble Insurance Agency, LLC, Panichelle Insurance, Ohio Farm Bureau, New York Farm Bureau, Maryland Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Mark Bruns Agency, Nationwide Agribusiness Marketing, ABIS/Assured Partners, Gallagher, Tippecanoe Farm Bureau, TrueNorth Companies, Clouse Electric, Sump Saver, Tiffin Farmers Cooperative, Gateway FS, Farm Credit IL, Clouse Construction, NOHR Wortmann Engineering, IRMI, Clinton Township Fire Department, Chautauqua Farm Bureau, Allen Excavating, G & L Shell.

Startling Facts: Injuries & Fatalities from grain bins*

• In 2022, at least 42 grain entrapments were reported, the highest number of entrapments in a decade (a 44.8% increase from 2021). There were 15 fatalities.
• In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without assistance. In just 20 seconds, an adult can be fully engulfed.
• Suffocation from engulfment or oxygen-deficient atmospheres is the leading cause of death in grain accidents.
• More than 300 grain entrapments have been recorded in the past decade. It’s estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.

“Grain bins pose very serious dangers to workers as entrapments can escalate quickly and are life threatening if proper safety procedures aren’t followed when working in or around them,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “For over a decade, Nationwide has been a leader in the fight to correct this industry issue, and while we’re incredibly proud of the efforts and the many partners who’ve made them possible, there is more work to be done.” 

Grain Bin Safety Week continues to make an impact: February 18-24, 2024
Nationwide initiated its annual Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014 to raise awareness of the dangers of working in grain bins and promote a zero-entry mentality. Grain Bin Safety Week, which takes place Feb. 18-24, 2024, brings a national spotlight to the issue each year.

A key component of Grain Bin Safety Week is the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, which aims to supply fire departments across rural America with the specialized rescue training and equipment needed to respond if an entrapment occurs.

The Nominate Your Fire Department Contest is now open until April 30, 2024. 
Learn how to nominate your local fire department here.

Since 2014, Nationwide and partners have awarded 332 grain rescue tubes to first responders across 32 states – eclipsing over $1 million in resources provided. At least ten successful rescues have utilized these resources, including the recent rescues in Arkansas and Indiana.  

Nationwide collaborates each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to deliver the rescue equipment and provide safety training.

“Time is of the essence when responding to these accidents and rural fire departments are often the only line of defense when an entrapment takes place in their region,” said Dan Neenan, director at NECAS. “It’s critically important to ensure these first responders not only have the specialized rescue equipment, but also the training needed to respond effectively. NECAS is proud to join Nationwide and its partners to make a difference.”  

For more information about the program, nomination process or how you can get involved, visit www.GrainBinSafetyWeek.com. 

Grain Bin Safety Week is made possible by the following generous partners:

• KC Supply 
• NECAS 
• Nationwide Agribusiness 
• IN Corn Marketing 
• Maryland Grain Producers 
• Horizon Farm Credit 
• Specialty Risk 
• Lutz Agency 
• Sponsor Relations 
• Delaware Soybean Board 
• Maryland Soybean Board 
• CHS 
• ProValue Insurance 
• Valley View Agri-Systems 
• OPI 
• Nutrien 
• Delaware Farm Bureau
• GROWMARK 
• Gregerson Salvage 
• West Side Salvage 
• Kelly Jones Agency 
• Eclipse Insurance Agency, LLC 
• Ohio Farm Bureau 
• New York Farm Bureau
• Maryland Farm Bureau
• Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
• Assured Partners 
• Gallagher 
• Sump Saver 
• NOHR Wortmann Engineering 
• IRMI

In partnership with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), Nationwide and its partners have now supplied grain rescue equipment and training to 332 first responders across 32 states to help prepare them when local grain entrapments occur.

After receiving thousands of nominations in the 2023 Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, an annual component of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, the insurer and its partners are proud to have awarded grain rescue tubes and training to the following 60 fire departments this year:

1. A.B Shaw Fire Company, Claverack, NY 
2. Altamont Fire Protection District, Altamont, IL 
3. Ann Arundel County Fire & EMS Department, Millersville, MD 
4. Asbury Fire Protection District, Asbury, MO 
5. Bowman Rural Fire Department, Bowman, ND 
6. Burnett Fire Department, Burnett, WI 
7. Center Point Fire Department, Center Point, IA 
8. Chalybeate Volunteer Fire Department, Smiths Grove, KY 
9. Chase City Volunteer Fire Department, Chase City, VA 
10. Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department, Clarksburg, IN 
11. Cobb Island Volunteer Fire & EMS Department, Cobb Island, MD 
12. Columbia/Adair County Volunteer Fire Department, Columbia, KY 
13. Conover Fire Department, Conover, NC 
14. Delmar Volunteer Fire Department, Delmar, DE 
15. District 2 Joint Volunteer Department, Crown City, OH 
16. Dunreith Volunteer Fire Department, Dunreith, IN 
17. Easton Volunteer Fire Department, Easton, MD 
18. Easton Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Easton, NY 
19. Fayette Fire Department, Seneca Falls, NY 
20. Fellows Club Volunteer Fire Department, Conneautville, PA 
21. Guntersville Volunteer Fire, Guntersville, AL 
22. Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department, Monroe City, IN 
23. Hereford Volunteer Fire Company, Monkton, MD 
24. Hudson Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Hudson, IA 
25. Juniata Rural Fire, Juniata, NE 
26. Labette County Fire District #9, Parsons, KS 
27. Lakeville Fire Department, La Paz, IN 
28. LaPaz North Volunteer Fire Department, La Paz, IN 
29. Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department, Laytonsville, MD 
30. Lepanto Fire & Rescue, Lepanto, AR 
31. Linkwood-Salem Volunteer Fire Company, Linkwood, MD 
32. Longford Rural Fire District, Longford, KS 
33. Macomb Fire Department, Macomb, IL 
34. Mahantango Fire Department, Pitman, PA 
35. Marion Fire Department, Marion, MD 
36. Milton Fire Company, Milton, DE 
37. Minatare/Melbeta Fire Department, Minitare, NE 
38. Minden Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Minden, IA 
39. New Washington Volunteer Fire Department, New Washington, IN 
40. North Liberty Fire Department, North Liberty, IA 
41. Oakland Volunteer Fire Department, Oakland, MD 
42. Overisel Township Fire Department, Holland, MI 
43. Oxford Fire Department, Oxford, NC 
44. Perry County EMA Fire & Rescue – North Station, Leopold, IN 
45. Perry County EMA Fire & Rescue – South Station, Tell City, IN 
46. Poland Volunteer Fire Department, Poland, IN 
47. Pukwana Fire Department, Pukwana, SD 
48. Redding Township Volunteer Fire Department, Seymore, IN 
49. Reisterstown Fire Department, Reisterstown, MD 
50. Renville Fire Department, Renville, MN 
51. Ridgebury Fire Department, Gillett, PA 
52. Rutland Fire Department, Rutland, ND 
53. Singerly Fire Company, Elkton, MD 
54. Southern Area Fire & Emergency Rescue, Dallastown, PA 
55. Sugarcreek Township Fire Department, Dayton, OH 
56. Townsend Fire Company, Townsend, DE 
57. Valley Springs Fire, Valley Springs, SD 
58. Waterloo Fire Department, Waterloo, IL 
59. Wilson Township Volunteer Fire Department, Winona, MN 
60. Wyalusing Fire Department, Wyalusing, PA 
61. Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company, Bridgeville, DE – re-training 
62. Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company, Funkstown, MD – re-training 
63. Guthrie Center Fire Department, Guthrie Center, IA – re-training 
64. Huntington County Fire Department, Huntington, IN – re-training 
65. Muncie Convention Center, Muncie, IN – re-training 
66. NY Corn & Soybean Expo, Seneca Falls, NY – re-training 

“Grain bin accidents continue to be a critical issue facing the agriculture industry,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We are proud to have supplied these important resources to 60 more rural fire departments in partnership with the many sponsors involved in our grain bin safety efforts. However, the work will not be complete until we can put a stop to these needless accidents altogether. Thank you to the first responders who play such an important role in supporting the agriculture community.”

NECAS, based out of Peosta, IA, delivered the rescue tubes and training to 60 fire departments and conducted re-training for six additional fire departments throughout 2023, traveling to each location with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators. The comprehensive training sessions included classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

Since beginning the Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014, at least seven fire departments have utilized their rescue tubes and training to successfully rescue entrapped individuals, including a recent Ohio rescue of a worker trapped up to his armpits in March 2023.

“With entrapments and accidents on the rise, it’s as important as ever to be following proper safety precautions before entering a bin,” said Liggett. “Visit our Grain Bin Safety page to find educational resources and tools to help maintain grain quality and prevent accidents. Thank you to our generous partners who have supported this cause.”

Nationwide is continuing to work with partners throughout the year to provide additional grain rescue tubes and training sessions to fire departments in need. To learn how to get involved or sponsor a rescue tube for your local fire department, visit the Partner With Us webpage.
 

The program is supported by Nationwide, NECAS and the following generous partners:

1. KC Supply, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Maryland Soy Board, Horizon Farm Credit, Maryland Grain Producers, Specialty Risk Insurance, Lutz Agency Inc., Bradford County Commissioners, Delaware Soybean Board, ProValue Insurance LLC, CHS, New York Farm Bureau, Perry County Farm Bureau, West Side Salvage, Delaware Farm Bureau, Kelly Jones Insurance Agency, Gary Thompson Agency, Gregerson Salvage, Inc., GROWMARK, Farm Creek Insurance, The Pegram Agency, Washington County Soil & Water District, HTS Ag, Maryland Farm Bureau, Ohio Farm Bureau, Sandy Oakley & Family, Gallagher, ABIS/Assured Partners, Sump Saver, NOHR Wortmann Engineering, IRMI, D. Larson Financial & Insurance Services.

¹Source: 2022 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities (May 2023)

“It was about 11:30 in the morning and we got a call that he was trapped to his waist,” said Mason. “Before we got to the scene, they said he was trapped to his armpits. So we’re thinking, he’s sinking.”

Grain entrapments can happen in seconds and quickly turn fatal. At least 42 entrapments occurred in the U.S. in 2022, leading to 15 fatalities.  

“As soon as we got there, we were able to make sure he was talking to us, making sure he wasn’t going any deeper,” said Mason. “Then we could transition and start actually trying to figure out how to rescue him out of there.”

Local fire departments are often the first and only line of defense when grain entrapments occur. To safely rescue entrapped victims, fire departments must use specialized grain rescue equipment.

“We used the rescue tubes to build a circle around him and then we built a wall around the tubes for the workers to work inside of,” said Lieutenant Rolfe, who led the rescue efforts inside the bin and was first on scene.

Without the specialized rescue tube and training, there’s no way the first responders could have performed the rescue they did, Mason added.

The Wilmington Fire Department was awarded a grain rescue tube and training from Nationwide in 2016. Over the past ten years, Nationwide has supplied grain rescue tubes and training to hundreds of fire departments across the U.S. This was the seventh successful rescue utilizing these resources, including another 2023 rescue of a worker trapped in a sand bin in Sussex County, Delaware

“It gives us all a good feeling to have a successful rescue,” said Rolfe. “It’s really good to know the patient made it out alive and is back home with his family.”

For more information about Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety program and purpose, visit www.ThinkGrainBinSafety.com. 

The Startling Facts: Injuries & Fatalities from grain bins

• In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without assistance. In just 20 seconds, an adult can be fully engulfed.
• Suffocation from engulfment or oxygen-deficient atmospheres is the leading cause of death in grain accidents.
•  In 2021, at least 29 grain entrapments were reported, resulting in 11 fatalities.
• More than 300 grain entrapments have been recorded in the past decade. It’s estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.

Sources: Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities

“Every year, grain bin accidents lead to countless injuries or deaths and it is everyone’s responsibility to take proactive measures to prevent these tragedies from happening,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “For a decade, Nationwide has been a leader in the fight to correct this industry issue, and while we’re incredibly proud of the efforts and the many partners who’ve made them possible, there is more work to be done.” 

A decade of progress: Grain Bin Safety Week is making an impact
Nationwide initiated its annual Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014 to raise awareness of the dangers of working in grain bins and promote a zero-entry mentality. Grain Bin Safety Week, which takes place Feb. 19-25, 2023, brings a national spotlight to the issue each year. A key component of Grain Bin Safety Week is the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, which aims to supply fire departments across rural America with the specialized rescue training and equipment needed to respond if an entrapment occurs. The Nominate Your Fire Department Contest is now open until April 30, 2023. Learn how to nominate your local fire department here.

Since 2014, Nationwide and partners have awarded 272 grain rescue tubes to first responders across 31 states – eclipsing more than $1 million in resources provided. At least six successful rescues have utilized these resources, including a recent rescue in Sussex County, Delaware.

Nationwide collaborates each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to deliver the rescue equipment and provide safety training. NECAS instructors travel to training locations with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and rescue simulations.

“Rural fire departments are often the only line of defense when an entrapment takes place in their region and time is of the essence when responding to these accidents,” said Dan Neenan, director at NECAS. “It’s critically important to ensure these first responders not only have the specialized rescue equipment, but also the training needed to respond effectively. NECAS is proud to join Nationwide and its partners to make a difference.” 

For more information about the program, nomination process or how you can get involved, visit www.GrainBinSafetyWeek.com.  

Grain Bin Safety Week is made possible by the following generous partners:

• KC Supply
• NECAS
• Nationwide Agribusiness
• IN Corn Marketing Council
• Horizon Farm Credit
• Maryland Grain Producers
• Specialty Risk
• Lutz Agency
• Maryland Soybean Board
• Bradford/Sullivan County Farm Bureau & Bradford County Commissioners
• ProValue Insurance
• Nationwide Sponsor Relations
• CHS
• West Side Salvage
• Delaware Farm Bureau
• Kelly Jones Insurance Agency
• Gary Thompson Agency
• Gregerson Salvage
• GROWMARK
• Farm Creek Insurance
• Gallagher
• ABIS/Assured Partners
• Maryland Farm Bureau
• Ohio Farm Bureau
• New York Farm Bureau
• Sump Saver
• NOHR Wortmann Engineering
• IRMI

All cash contributions help purchase grain bin tubes and/or training. All donations are managed through the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

For official rules, visit nationwide.com/GBSWContestRules

“FARM BUREAU” and the Farm Bureau mark are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and used under license by Nationwide. Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2022 Nationwide

In partnership with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), Nationwide is awarding 58 fire departments across the country with grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to prepare them to respond when local grain entrapments occur.

After receiving more than 1,800 nominations across 45 states in the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, a key piece of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, the insurer and its partners are proud to award grain rescue tubes and training to the following 58 fire departments:

1.  Allegany County Special Operations, Cumberland, MD
2.  Argusville Fire Department, Argusville, ND 
3.  Ashley Fire Department, Ashley, IN
4.  Ashley Fire Protection District, Ashley, IL
5.  Atalissa Volunteer Fire Department, Atalissa, IA
6.  Baring Volunteer Fire Department, Baring, MO
7.  Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department and EMS Co 10, Bel Alton, MD
8.  Bennet Rural Fire District, Bennet, NE
9.  Brandon Fire Department, Brandon, IA
10.  Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association, Westminster, MD
11.  Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Centerburg, OH
12.  Clayton Fire Company, Clayton, DE
13.  Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company, Clear Spring, MD
14.  Cordova Fire Protection District, Cordova, IL 
15.  Covington Fire & Rescue, Inc., Covington, OH
16.  Jefferson County Department of Emergency Services, Brookville, PA
17.  Dwight Rural Fire Department 6, Dwight, KS 
18.  Elderton District Volunteer Fire Company, Elderton, PA
19.  Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company, Fleetwood, PA
20.  Genoa Fire Department, Genoa, NY
21.  Georgetown Fire Company, Inc.  Station 77, Georgetown, DE
22.  Hamlet Fire Department, Hamlet, IN
23.  Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, Hebron, MD
24.  Highland Pierron Fire Department, Pocahontas, IL 
25.  Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, Hillsboro, IA
26.  Huntingburg Fire Department, Huntingburg, IN
27.  Illiopolis Fire Protection District, Illiopolis, IL
28.  Jefferson Township Fire and Rescue, Richmond Dale, OH
29.  Kenockee Township Fire Department, Avoca, MI 
30.  Kinmundy-Alma Fire Department, Kinmundy, IL 
31.  Lake Andes Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Andes, SD
32.  Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Service, Lawrence, NE
33.  Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, Leonardtown, MD
34.  Mabel Fire and Rescue, Mabel, MN 
35.  Maeystown Fire Department, Maeystown, IL 
36.  Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire District, Mechanicsville, MD 
37.  Milo Rural Fire Department, Milo, MO
38.  Oakley Fire Department, Oakley, KS
39.  Ohiowa Rural Fire Department, Ohiowa, NE
40.  Ottawa County Rural Fire District #4, Bennington, KS
41.  Pleasant Unity Volunteer Fire Department, Pleasant Unity, PA
42.  Preston Volunteer Fire Company, Preston, MD
43.  Ripley Township Volunteer Fire Department, Alamo, IN
44.  Rome Fire Department, Rome, OH
45.  Saint Paul Mission Township Fire Department, Saint Paul, KS
46.  Scott Township Fire and EMS, Evansville, IN 
47.  Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, Seaford, DE 
48.  Silvercreek Township Fire Department, Jamestown, OH 
49.  Spring Valley Fire Department, Spring Valley, WI 
50.  Upham Fire Protection District, Upham, ND
51.  Watertown Township Fire Department, Mayville, MI
52.  Waubay Volunteer Fire Department, Waubay, SD 
53.  West Kittanning Fire Department, Kittanning, PA
54.  West Plains Fire Department, West Plains, MO
55.  Westport Community Volunteer Fire Department, Westport, IN
56.  Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Company, Williamsburg, PA
57.  Windsor Fire Department, Windsor, OH
58.  Wood Lake Fire Department, Wood Lake, MN 
59.  Audubon Fire Department (re-training only), Audubon, IA
60.  Guthrie Center Fire Department (re-training only), Guthrie Center, IA
61.  Hutchinson Fire Department (re-training only), Hutchinson, MN 
62.  Johnston Grimes Metropolitan Fire Department (re-training only), Johnston, IA
63.  Superior Ambulance Service & Training Institute (re-training only), Grove City, PA
64.  Traer Fire Department (re-training only), Traer, IA

“We are proud to provide first responders the education and resources to lead the fight against local grain bin entrapments,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “It’s been our mission to bring an end to this industry issue by raising awareness of the dangers and suppling needed equipment to the front line rescuers tasked with responding when accidents occur.”

NECAS, based out of Peosta, IA, will deliver the rescue tubes and training to the winning fire departments throughout 2022, traveling to each location with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators and rescue tubes. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

With 2022 donations included, Nationwide and partners have supplied these resources to 265 departments across 31 states. At least five fire departments have utilized their rescue tubes and training to successfully rescue entrapped workers.

“It’s as important as ever to be following proper safety precautions when entering a bin,” said Liggett. “Our goal is to continue these efforts until we can ensure every rural fire department has access to these critical rescue resources.”

Nationwide is continuing to work with partners throughout 2022 to provide additional grain rescue tubes and training sessions to fire departments in need. To learn how to get involved and sponsor a rescue tube for your local fire department, visit the Partner With Us webpage.

“Thank you to our generous partners who have supported this cause to put an end to avoidable deaths in rural agricultural communities nationwide,” said Liggett.

The program is supported by Nationwide and the following generous partners:

1. KC Supply, NECAS, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Maryland Grain Producers, Lutz Agency, Inc., Specialty Risk Insurance, CHS, Delaware Soybean Board, ProValue Insurance LLC, Mid Atlantic Farm Credit, Scoular Grain, Turtle Plastics, Mark Bruns Agency, Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, TGIF Solutions, Inc., Armstrong County Farm Bureau, Maryland Soybean Board, West Side Salvage, GROWMARK, AGI SureTrack, Gregerson Salvage, Inc., Maryland Farm Bureau, Ohio Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, New York Farm Bureau, Delaware Farm Bureau, Kelly Jones Insurance Agency, LLC, Rugby Insurance Agency, Gerber Insurance Agency, Wiley Insurance Agency, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Panichelle Insurance, Colonial Farm Credit, Charles County Farm Bureau, St. Mary’s County Farm Bureau, Gallagher, Heritage Insurance & Real Estate, ABIS/Assured Partners, Ag Choice Farm Credit, D. Larson Financial & Insurance Services, Pillar Insurance, Sump Saver, NOHR Wortmann Engineering, IRMI, and Traer Fire Department.

¹ Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021

Utilizing the department’s grain rescue tube and training for such scenarios, volunteer first responders jumped into action as they arrived on scene.

Goodland Fire Department Lieutenant Matthew Breininger spoke with Nationwide to recount the event.

To learn more or get involved in Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety efforts, visit ThinkGrainBinSafety.com.

“We cover a 55 square mile area and have nearly 100 farms that house grain in silos,” said Chief Stewart.

People drive by them every day – never realizing the risks they pose to the farming community.

“Any time a farmer enters a grain bin, there are numerous life-threatening hazards they need to account for,” explains Dan Neenan, director of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS). “Rescue situations in bins are also challenging and take an average of three and a half hours.”

Entering a grain bin to remove clumped or rotted grain can quickly turn deadly for farmers if proper precautions aren’t followed. In a matter of seconds, an adult can become fully entrapped in flowing grain. It happened four times in Ohio in 2019. Grain bin entrapments led to more than 40 deaths nationwide the past two years.

Adding to the risk is a lack of available equipment and training for responding fire departments - an issue Nationwide is hoping to resolve.

On July 20, Nationwide presented the Jerome Township Division of Fire in Plain City, Ohio, a grain rescue tube and provided the team specialized training to help prevent deaths in grain bin accidents. The training, led by NECAS, included the use of a grain bin-like entrapment simulator capable of holding 100 bushels and burying a “rescue victim” waist-deep. First responders learned how to properly use the 6-panel, versatile grain rescue tube to create a barrier around the victim and safely dig them out.

“Having this equipment and training is critical because it enables us to respond without hesitation to emergencies within our district. Our bodies can only go 4-6 minutes without oxygen so we’re saving precious time when we don’t need to rely on mutual aid from other departments,” said Chief Stewart.

Nationwide began its Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign back in 2014 to raise awareness of the dangers of entering grain structures and share safety resources to help prevent accidents.

“Agriculture’s mission is more important now than ever due to a growing population dependent on fewer farmers,” said Nationwide vice president, Devin Fuhrman. “We’re proud to provide these resources to support first responders as they keep rural communities safe.”

Jerome Township Division of Fire is one of 48 fire departments to receive the specialized equipment and training from Nationwide this year, and one of 200 across the country since the campaign began. At least four departments have used these resources to successfully rescue workers trapped in grain bins.

“There is tremendous synergy between a great neighborhood and the community’s public safety services,” said Brian J. Ellis, president of Nationwide Realty Investors and developer of Jerome Village. “We’re proud to be part of the team supplying this essential rescue resource to the Jerome Township Division of Fire and appreciate all they do for the residents of Jerome Village and the surrounding community.”

Learn more about Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign at www.ThinkGrainBinSafety.com.

After receiving more than 1,000 nominations in the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, a key piece of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, the insurer and its partners are proud to award grain rescue tubes and training to the following 48 fire departments:

1. Alexander Rescue Squad, Taylorsville, NC
2. Aurelius Volunteer Fire Department, Auburn, NY
3. Berlin Fire Department, Berlin, WI
4. Bloomington Fire, Bloomington, WI
5. Cambridge Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Cambridge Springs, PA
6. Camden-Wyoming Fire Company, Camden, DE
7. Citizens Volunteer Fire Company, Fawn Grove, PA
8. City of Mount Vernon Fire Department, Mount Vernon, IL
9. Clinton-Warren Joint Fire District, Clarksville, OH
10. Clontarf Fire Department, Clontarf, MN
11. Coggon Fire Department / Linn County District 7, Coggon, IA
12. Downs Fire Department, Downs, KS
13. East Pembroke Fire Department, Batavia, NY
14. Fair Grove Fire Protection District, Fair Grove, MO
15. Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, Fillmore, IN
16. Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, Edinboro, PA
17. Friendsville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, Friendsville, MD
18. Grundy County Emergency Management, Grundy Center, IA
19. Jerome Township Division of Fire, Plain City, OH
20. Kewanee Community Fire Protection District, Kewanee, IL
21. Larned Fire Department, Larned, KS
22. Madelia Fire Department, Madelia, MN
23. Malden Fire Department, Malden, MO
24. Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department, Maxwell, TX
25. Mayville Fire & Rescue, Mayville, ND
26. Mendon Fire Department, Mendon, IL
27. Nemaha County Rural Fire District #4, Bern, KS
28. New Baden Fire Protection District, New Baden, IL
29. North Bollinger County Fire Protection District, Patton, MO
30. North Callaway Fire Protection District, Kingdom City, MO
31. Northrop Fire Department, Northrop, MN
32. Orlinda Volunteer Fire Department, Orlinda, TN
33. Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, Oxford, IA
34. Pembina Fire Department, Pembina, ND
35. Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department, Pikeville, TN
36. Rawlinsville Volunteer Fire Company, Holtwood, PA
37. Ripley Fire Department, Ripley, OH
38. Ronda Community Volunteer Fire Department, Ronda, NC
39. Rugby Volunteer Fire Department, Rugby, ND
40. Sargent Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Sargent, NE
41. Sequoyah County Rural Fire Protection District #1, Gore, OK
42. Sesser Fire Protection District, Sesser, IL
43. Shelby Volunteer Fire Department, Medina, NY
44. Summit Volunteer Fire Department, Summit, SD
45. Tri-County Fire Department, Waller, TX
46. Valley View Milling, Seneca, KS
47. Willards Volunteer Fire Department, Willards, MD
48. Xenia Fire Department, Xenia, IL

NECAS, based out of Peosta, IA, will deliver the rescue tubes and training to the winning fire departments throughout 2021, traveling to each location with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators and rescue tubes. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

Nationwide is continuing to work with partners throughout 2021 to provide additional grain rescue tubes and training sessions to fire departments in need. To learn how to get involved and sponsor a rescue tube for your local fire department, visit the Partner With Us webpage.

About Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign:
According to researchers at Purdue University, more than 900 cases of grain engulfment have been reported in the past 50 years with a fatality rate of 62%. In 2020, grain entrapments led to 20 deaths.

“It only takes seconds, or a simple mistake, for an adult to sink in the quicksand-like flow of grain and become fully entrapped or engulfed,” said Brad Liggett, Nationwide’s president of Agribusiness. “Adding to the risk is a lack of rescue equipment available to local fire departments and emergency responders who are called for help when a worker becomes trapped.”

To help address this industry issue, Nationwide initiated its Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014 to educate those entering grain bins about the hazards involved and the importance of implementing safe entry procedures. A central piece of the campaign, the Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, aims to address the lack of specialized resources available to fire departments who are responding to bin entrapments.

“Since 2014, Nationwide has made it a mission to bring an end to this industry issue by raising awareness of the dangers and collecting funds to supply needed equipment to front line rescuers tasked with responding when accidents occur,” said Liggett. “With long-standing roots in agriculture, we’re thankful for the work America’s farmers do and for the contributions of our valuable partners who help us make a difference in rural communities.”

With 2021 donations included, Nationwide and partners have supplied these resources to 200 departments across 30 states. At least four fire departments have utilized their rescue tubes and training to successfully rescue entrapped workers.

“We’re incredibly proud to award more resources in 2021 than ever before and to continue growing these efforts until we can ensure every fire department that needs it has access to these critical rescue supplies,” said Liggett.

The program is supported by Nationwide and the following generous partners:

1. NECAS, KC Supply, Specialty Risk Insurance, CHS, ProValue Insurance, Mid Atlantic Farm Credit, Lutz Agency, Inc., SBS Insurance Agency, Mark Bruns Agency, New York Farm Bureau, Ohio Farm Bureau, Maryland Farm Bureau, Delaware Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, West Side Salvage, Gregerson Salvage, Scoular Grain, GROWMARK, Graham Insurance Agency, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance, Beacon Insurance Group, Eclipse Insurance Agency, LLC, Mealiff Insurance & Financial Services, Rugby Insurance Agency, FNIC Group, AGI SureTrack, Jerome Village (owned and developed by Nationwide Realty Investors), Settlemyre Farms, Gallagher, ABIS, David Larson Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., Sump Saver, Ohio Corn & Wheat, NOHR Wortmann Engineering, and First Gabrielson Agency.

To raise awareness of these dangers and prevent all-too-common accidents, Nationwide has opened its eighth annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in recognition of Grain Bin Safety Week. The goal is to deliver critical education and resources to agricultural professionals and promote safe bin-entry procedures when entry is absolutely necessary. The program also awards life-saving rescue equipment and training to rural fire departments, who are often the first and only line of defense when an entrapment occurs. Nominations for this year’s Nominate Your Fire Department Contest are open until April 30. 

"Working in one of America’s most dangerous industries, most farmers and agricultural professionals have likely heard tragic stories of accidents resulting from grain entrapments,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide, the country’s no. 1 farm and ranch insurer.¹ “These incidents send shock waves through rural communities when they occur and continue to present a significant industry issue, as thousands of farmers and commercial grain handlers are exposed each year to the life-threatening hazards associated with entering grain structures to remove rotted or clumped grain.”

This year, Grain Bin Safety Week runs from Feb. 21 – 27 and has been officially recognized by the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Since initiating its Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign in 2014, Nationwide has supplied grain rescue tubes and training to 152 fire departments in 29 states.²

“Nationwide's mission of protecting people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care directly aligns with our Grain Bin Safety advocacy program,” said Liggett. “Now more than ever, farmers are being recognized for the important role they play in food security and fueling our country. We are proud of our ability to provide grain rescue tubes and proper training to help protect the men and women who feed the world, and we aspire to make sure every fire department that needs it has access to these safety resources.”

At least four fire departments included in the program have utilized their tubes and training to rescue workers trapped in grain bins. In 2017, the Glenville Fire Department in Minnesota received a call to assist a local farmer who had fallen into a grain silo. Equipped with the grain rescue tube and training provided to the department nearly two years earlier, first responders were able to save the man’s life even though he’d been engulfed up to his face in flowing corn.

Injuries & Fatalities: The Startling Facts 

• Suffocation from engulfment or oxygen-deficient atmospheres is the leading cause of death in grain accidents.
• In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without help.
• Nearly 400 grain entrapments have been recorded in the past 10 years. It’s estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.
• In 2019, there were 38 grain entrapment cases – a 27% increase over 2018 and a four-year high.
• Grain entrapment deaths spiked in late 2019 and early 2020 as a result of wet harvest conditions – a United Press International report showed there were 19 deaths from August 2019 to mid-January 2020 alone, more than all of 2018.
• Historically, 70% of grain entrapments have occurred on farms vs. commercial facilities.
• Many of these farming accidents involve young people who often lack a good understanding of the potential dangers and proper safety procedures.

_{Sources: 2019 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities and United Press International}

To help prevent further deaths and injuries, Nationwide collaborates each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to provide safety training. NECAS instructors travel to training locations with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators and rescue tubes. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety Week and Nominate Your Fire Department Contest are supported by the following partners: 

NECAS
KC Supply
Specialty Risk Management
Lutz Agency, Inc.
ProValue Insurance
Valley Insurance Agency Alliance
CHS
Graham Insurance Agency
Rugby Insurance Agency
The Harry A. Koch Co.
New York Farm Bureau^®
Ohio Farm Bureau^®
Maryland Farm Bureau^®
Delaware Farm Bureau^®
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau^®
Scoular
GROWMARK
West Side Salvage
Gregerson Salvage, Inc.
ABIS
Mealiff Insurance & Financial Services
Eclipse Insurance Agency
Beacon Insurance Group
Ohio Corn & Wheat
Gallagher
Sump Saver
First Gabrielson Agency
NOHR Wortmann Engineering

For more information about the program, purpose or nomination process, visit www.grainbinsafetyweek.com or watch this video. 

To lead the fight against these all-too-common accidents, the country’s leading insurer of farms and ranches¹, Nationwide, in partnership with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), is awarding 41 fire departments across the country with life-saving grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to prepare them to respond when grain accidents occur.

In 2014, Nationwide initiated its Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign to educate those entering grain bins about the hazards involved and the importance of implementing safe entry procedures. A central piece of the campaign, the Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, aims to address the lack of specialized resources available to rural fire departments who are responding to bin entrapments. With 2020’s donations included, Nationwide has awarded grain rescue tubes and training to 152 fire departments in 29 states.

After receiving 1,006 nominations in this year’s contest, Nationwide and its partners are proud to award grain rescue tubes and training to the following 41 fire departments:

1. Adams Rural Fire, Adams, NE
2. Addieville Community Fire Protection District, Addieville, IL
3. Avoca Fire Department, Avoca, PA
4. Berlin Township Fire Department, Berlin Heights, OH
5. Bleckley County Fire, Cochran, GA
6. Brainard Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, Brainard, NE
7. Burlingame/Osage County Fire District No. 6, Burlingame, KS
8. Camden Township Fire Department, Kipton, OH
9. Campbellsport Volunteer Fire Department, Campbellsport, WI
10. Carlisle Fire Company, Milford, DE
11. Carter Fire District, Dale, IN
12. Chilton Fire Department, Chilton, WI
13. Crothersville-Vernon Township Volunteer Fire Department, Crothersville, IN
14. DeRuyter Fire, DeRuyter, NY
15. Drayton Fire Department, Drayton, ND
16. Earling Fire and Rescue Department, Earling, IA
17. Ellis County Fire Department, Hays, KS
18. Gilt Edge Volunteer Fire Department, Burlison, TN
19. Goodwill Fire Company, Centreville, MD
20. Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire, Grimes, IA
21. Hartwick Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Hartwick, IA
22. Hazelton Township Fire Department, New Lothrop, MI
23. Hospers Fire, Hospers, IA
24. Hoyleton Fire Protection District, Hoyleton, IL
25. Iron Ridge Fire, Iron Ridge, WI
26. Jordan Fire Department, Jordan, MN
27. Laura Fire Department, Laura, OH
28. Lu Verne Fire Department, Lu Verne, IA
29. Miesville Fire Department, Hastings, MN
30. Nerstrand Fire Rescue, Nerstrand, MN
31. Nevada Fire, Nevada, MO
32. New Haven Volunteer Fire Department, New Haven, VT
33. New Salem Volunteer Fire Department, Marshville, NC
34. The Odessa Fire Company, Odessa, DE
35. Peach Orchard Volunteer Fire Department, Peach Orchard, AR
36. Poole Community Fire Department, Sebree, KY
37. Rockingham County Fire and Rescue, Harrisonburg, VA
38. Shelburn Fire Department, Sullivan, IN
39. St. Olaf Fire Department, St. Olaf, IA
40. Tri Cities Fire Protection District, Jasper, MO
41. Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company, Womelsdorf, PA

“We began our Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014 to support the agriculture community and put an end to avoidable deaths from individuals entering grain bins without recognizing the dangers and taking precautions,” said Brad Liggett, president of Nationwide Agribusiness. “Thanks to the generous and increasing support of our partners, I’m extremely proud to say that we’re providing more rescue tubes and training to first responders this year than we have ever before.”

NECAS, based out of Peosta, IA, will deliver the tubes and training to the winning fire departments throughout 2020. Since 2014, four fire departments have put their rescue tubes and training to action by rescuing workers trapped in grain bins.

According to United Press International reports, grain bin deaths spiked last year and in early 2020 due to last season’s wet harvest. In February 2020, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue brought a national spotlight to Nationwide’s efforts by proclaiming Feb. 16-22 as National Grain Bin Safety Week.

“It’s as important as ever to be following proper safety precautions when entering a bin,” said Liggett. “Our goal is to continue these efforts until we can ensure every rural fire department has access to these critical rescue resources.”

The program is supported by Nationwide and the following generous partners:

1. CHS, Corteva AgriScience, KC Supply, Lutz Agency, Inc., NECAS, ProValue Insurance, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau^®, AGI SureTrack, Delaware Farm Bureau^®, GROWMARK, Kathy Barry Agency, Maryland Farm Bureau^®, New York Farm Bureau^®, Ohio Farm Bureau^®, Specialty Risk Insurance, Springer Insurance and Financial Services, ABIS Agri-Business Insurance Services, Carter Fire District, First Gabrielson Agency, Frazer Insurance Agency, Gallagher, German American Insurance, Graves-Fearon Agency, Miami County Ohio Farm Bureau^®, Scoular, West Side Salvage, GIT Insurance, Grimes Financial & Insurance Group, Stuber Insurance Agency, Sump Saver, Nohr Wortmann Engineering

¹ Source: By direct written premium, AM Best (2018)

To raise awareness of these dangers and prevent all-too-common accidents, Nationwide has launched its seventh annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in recognition of Grain Bin Safety Week. The goal is to help prevent injuries and fatalities by promoting safe bin-entry procedures when entry is absolutely necessary, such as maintaining quality grain, testing bin atmosphere for toxic gases, wearing proper safety equipment and always utilizing a spotter who can help if needed. Nominations for this year’s Nominate Your Fire Department Contest are open until April 30.

Today, the nation’s highest-ranking agriculture leader, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, joined the effort by signing a federal proclamation recognizing Grain Bin Safety Week, bringing a national focus to the hazards of grain bin entry and Nationwide’s efforts to prevent further accidents.

This year, Grain Bin Safety Week runs from Feb. 16-22 and has been officially recognized by the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia

“We hope grain operators, farmers and community leaders will join us in expanding knowledge of safe practices not just during National Grain Bin Safety Week, but year-round,” said Secretary Perdue.

Since 2014, Nationwide has awarded grain rescue tubes and training to 111 fire departments in 26 states.

“When we initiated Grain Bin Safety Week in 2014, the goal was to reduce the occurrence of grain bin accidents by raising awareness of the hazards and by equipping first responders with the tools and training needed to respond quickly when necessary,” said Brad Liggett, president of Nationwide Agribusiness, the no. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.1 “We applaud the USDA’s efforts to bring further national attention to this issue and to our efforts to ensure fire departments have the resources they need.”

Four fire departments included in the program have already put their tubes and training to action by rescuing workers trapped in grain bins. In 2017, the Glenville Fire Department in Minnesota received a call to assist a local farmer who had fallen into a grain silo. Utilizing the grain rescue tube and training provided to them nearly two years earlier, first responders were able to save the man’s life even though he’d been engulfed up to his face in flowing corn. Nationwide and NECAS traveled to Glenville to get a first-hand account of the rescue in a video available here.

Most recently in June 2019, the Wauzeka Fire Department in Wisconsin utilized its rescue tube to save the life of a farmer trapped for more than an hour before he was discovered by a truck driver.

“In June, we were dispatched to help a neighboring department needing assistance with an individual entrapped in a grain bin,” said Nick Zeeh, fire chief for the Wauzeka Fire Department. “Thanks to the training provided by Nationwide and its partners, every emergency responder had a good understanding of the steps they needed to take, and we were able to achieve the ultimate goal – the victim survived and everyone returned home. I can safely say without the grain bin rescue training, we would not have been as prepared or as effective in responding to the situation.”

According to researchers at Purdue University (PDF), 370 grain entrapment cases have been recorded in the last 10 years. In 2018, 30 cases were documented, representing a 30% increase from 2017, with half (15) resulting in fatalities. Purdue also estimates that an additional 30% of cases go unreported each year. A recent story from United Press International also highlighted a startling uptick in grain bin accidents as farmers rush to clear last year’s unused grain, with at least 14 people killed in grain bins between August and December 2019.

Injuries & Fatalities: The Startling Facts 

• Suffocation from engulfment is a leading cause of death in grain bin accidents.

• It takes only seconds to be completely engulfed in flowing grain or overcome by oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

• Between August and December 2019, at least 14 people were killed in grain bin accidents as farmers rushed to clear the season’s unused grain.

• 30 documented grain entrapments resulted in 15 deaths (50% fatality rate) in 2018.

• 38 documented grain entrapments resulted in 18 deaths in 2014 – the highest recorded since 2010.

• In 2010, at least 26 U.S. workers were killed in grain engulfments − the highest fatalities on record.

Sources: 2018 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities and United Press International

To help prevent further deaths and injuries, Nationwide collaborates each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to provide safety training. The director of NECAS travels to training locations with a state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulator and rescue tube. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and a rescue simulation with the entrapment tool, which is loaded onto a 20-foot trailer and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain.

Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety Week and Nominate Your Fire Department Contests are supported by the following partners:

Corteva Agriscience

KC Supply

CHS

Lutz Agency, Inc.

NECAS

ProValue Insurance

Specialty Risk Insurance

AGI SureTrack

GROWMARK

Delaware Farm Bureau®

Maryland Farm Bureau®

New York Farm Bureau®

Ohio Farm Bureau®

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau®

ABIS

Carter Fire District

Frazer Insurance Agency, Inc.

Gallagher

German American Insurance Inc.

Graves-Fearon Agency

Miami County Farm Bureau®

Scoular Grain Company

West Side Salvage

First Gabrielson Agency

NOHR Wortmann Engineering

Stuber Insurance Agency

Sump Saver

For more information about the program, purpose or nomination process, visit www.grainbinsafetyweek.com or watch this video.

Depending on the situation, if a farmer enters a grain bin it can take less than a minute to become completely engulfed in grain.

“My dad got in and the auger sucked him down,” Greibrok said. “I looked the 30 to 40 feet down and all I could see was the top of his face.”

Fire Chief Matt Webb was headed to work when he heard the 911 report come in over his pager. With a total population of 643 in the rural town of Glenville, Minn., Webb immediately recognized the address of the Greibrok’s farm.

“In a rural setting, you know the people that you are responding to on a first name basis,” Webb said. “You know their kids, their family, their job.”

Webb arrived at the scene within 10 minutes and began the emergency procedures. Nearly two hours later, Webb and other first responders rescued Greibrok’s father from the grain bin.

“It felt like an eternity,” Webb said. “But the [grain rescue] training came back quickly, and it was a relief we had our own equipment. The program that’s out there for these tubes and training is such a life-saving resource in our county.”

The Glenville Fire Department had been awarded a grain rescue tube and training from Nationwide two years prior.

When asked how it felt to save a life, Webb tearfully responded: “He was about like family. For the outcome that day – there wasn’t a better feeling.”

For more information about the program, purpose or nomination process, visit www.grainbinsafetyweek.com.