Provided by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council
Firefighters from the Kent Fire Department in Jefferson County, Ind., practice a grain bin rescue in a simulator during training provided by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, the state’s corn checkoff program, in mid-July.
The Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) has funded rescue equipment and training for several rural fire departments across the state.
Since the program’s inception four years ago, ICMC has helped to prepare 29 fire departments and 1,025 firefighters for grain bin emergencies with specialized tools and hands-on training.
In July, ICMC partnered with Nationwide Insurance and the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety to provide training and tools to fire departments in Gibson, Jefferson, Madison, Morgan and Shelby counties. The Indiana General Assembly established ICMC to promote and protect the interests of more than 20,000 corn growers in Indiana.
“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,” ICMC President and Greensburg farmer Tim Gauck said. “A simple mistake can become a crisis in a hurry. Grain bin entrapments are among those dangers.”
A Purdue University research study published in May reported there were 51 cases of serious injury while working on American farms in 2024. The reported 34 grain entrapments increased by 25 percent from 2023. Indiana made up the largest portion of grain entrapments in 2024, at five. Research also showed that historically, 58 percent of farming accidents resulted in death, but it has fallen to 43 percent in the past year. Researchers said increased response time and preparedness by rural emergency services could be the reason fatality numbers in farming accidents are decreasing.
Fire departments in rural areas of the state lack the financial means for grain bin safety equipment and training, according to the ICMC website. All counties that received training and equipment 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.”
Those interested in applying for the grant to receive grain bin equipment and training can visit incornandsoy.org/grain-bin-safety/ or email ICMC Marketing Manager Melanie Batalis at mbatalis@incorn.org.
