When a Westphalia, Kansas, farmer became trapped in a grain bin in 2015, the Westphalia Fire Department deployed a grain rescue tube to save his life just months after getting that tube and specialized rescue training. This event is significant because it marks the first life saved using a tube and training awarded through the Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, held in conjunction with Grain Bin Safety Week.
452 fire departments in 35 states
Westphalia is one of 452 fire departments across 35 states to receive lifesaving grain rescue tubes and training through the Grain Bin Safety Week program, helping protect their communities from grain bin emergencies.
“We care deeply about the safety of farmers, farm workers, their families and communities,” said Nationwide Agribusiness President Brad Liggett. “When we started Grain Bin Safety Week in 2014, we were driven to not only raise awareness of the risks and safe work practices of grain handling and storage, but to help enable first responders to save lives. Caring about grain bin safety isn’t enough. It takes action. So, we stepped in to help.”