Des Moines, IA – Rural communities continue to face hazards associated with working in and around grain structures. In 2022 alone, there were at least 42 grain entrapments – the highest number in over a decade – resulting in 15 fatalities¹. To help prevent tragic accidents and deaths, Nationwide and its partners are providing life-saving grain rescue tubes and training to 60 fire departments across rural America through its 2023 Grain Bin Safety campaign.

Locally, the Minden, IA, fire department – Minden Volunteer Fire & Rescue  – was one of the winners that was awarded a grain rescue tube and training this year. These resources are being brought to the community thanks to donations from HTS Ag. In addition, the Guthrie Center Fire Department received grain bin rescue training through the program.

Grain bin rescue tube/training (Nationwide Insurance photo)

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 fire departments in Iowa, this year (in addition to the Minden and Guthrie Center Fire Departments):

Center Point Fire Department, Center Point, IA

Hudson Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Hudson, IA

North Liberty Fire Department, North Liberty, IA