Becky Kuntzelman | Johnson Publications
Josh Burke, top left, Aaron Greene and Makenna Castor demonstrate setting up the tripod to rappel into the grain bin.
Courtesy photo
A volunteer “victim” and two rescuers demonstrate how to use harnesses, ropes and a rescue tube to free someone trapped in a grain bin.
Grain bin safety instructor: accidents expected to be high
Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) held a grain bin safety training class last Thursday at the new Imperial fire hall location.
Approximately 30 attendees, made up of Imperial volunteer fire department (IVFD) members, EMS volunteers, farmers and people from farm-related businesses were present to hear the lecture and participate in hands-on training using the MPCC grain bin rescue simulator, said Carla Colton, MPCC office assistant.
Instructor for the class was Tim Zehnder, director of fire science at MPCC.
The class began with a presentation of facts about grain bin safety and the kinds of accidents that can happen.
Spreading the word about grain bin safety is becoming increasingly important as grain bin deaths continue to rise, he said.
Zehnder talked about the equipment first responders use in the case of a grain bin entrapment.
The first demonstration began with a volunteer who climbed into the grain bin simulator while wearing a harness and rope for safety.
The “victim” was then entrapped up to their knees with grain.
Two rescue volunteers assisted the victim by using harnesses, ropes, a rescue tube and other rescue equipment to free him.
Other teams followed the enactment and rescue protocol to familiarize themselves with a situation of this nature.
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