INDIANAPOLIS – When a farmer is trapped in a grain bin, every second counts. That’s why the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) has stepped up again this summer, funding life-saving rescue equipment and training for six more rural fire departments across the state. Now in its fourth year, the program has helped 29 Indiana departments prepare for grain bin emergencies with specialized tools and hands-on training.

ICMC collaborates with insurance provider Nationwide and the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to provide rescue tubes and training to rural fire departments. As of now, this program has trained 1,025 Hoosier firefighters.

ICMC and NECAS recently supplied training and equipment to volunteer firefighters in Gibson County (White River Hazleton VFD), Jefferson County (Kent Fire Department), Madison County (Edgewood VFD), Morgan County (Morgantown Rural Fire Department) and Shelby County (Fairland VFD). Equipment and a training session with the Center Township Fire Department in LaPorte County will take place later this summer.

ICMC President Tim Gauck, a farmer from Greensburg, Ind., said, “As the state’s corn checkoff, representing thousands of Indiana farmers, we believe it is a wise investment to provide equipment and training to rural fire departments so they can help rescue farmers from a grain bin entrapment. We know there are many potential dangers when working on a farm. A simple mistake can become a crisis in a hurry. Grain bin entrapments are among those dangers.”

According to a study published by Purdue University in May, there were 51 reported cases of serious injuries while working on U.S. farms in 2024 – 34 of those were grain entrapments. The 34 grain-related entrapments are a 25 percent increase from 2023. Indiana reported the most grain entrapment cases in 2024 with five. Other states with grain entrapments were Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. The number of farm fatalities dropped from 26 to 22 last year. Historically, 58 percent of farm accidents resulted in a death, but in 2024 that number fell to 43 percent. The Purdue researchers said better preparedness and quicker responses by rural emergency services could be the reason.

Many rural fire departments lack the budget for grain bin safety equipment and training. The six departments that received the equipment and training this year applied to ICMC for a grant.

“We’re incredibly honored to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Evan Hulett, of the Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department. “Having this equipment and the skills to use it can make all the difference when seconds count in a grain bin emergency.”

For details on how to apply for a grant to receive grain bin rescue equipment or training, visit incornandsoy.org/grain-bin-safety/ or contact ICMC Marketing Manager Melanie Batalis at mbatalis@incorn.org.