Farmers getting trapped in grain bins makes the news far too often these days. The fact that there are more bins - and bigger bins - partially explains this sometimes-deadly encounter. Not having the right equipment for rescuing a trapped victim can lead to the worst-case scenario.
Leon and Janet Skroch, owners of Complete Grain Systems Inc. of Rice, decided to do something about this increasingly frequent on-farm disaster. On April 27 they sponsored a grain bin rescue training session. Participants included their home-town Rice Fire Department, plus local fire squads from Royalton, Sauk Rapids, St. Stephen, Bowlus and Pierz. Volunteers could either be the victim, or a member of the rescuer team.
"It was exciting and certainly educational. We've never done this before," said Scott Janski, chief of the Rice Fire Department.
Scott Rieckmann, an independent safety trainer, did the "hands-on" demonstrations using a grain engulfment rescue simulator developed by GSI, a national grain bin distributor and supplier for the Skroches. The bin was filled with corn supplied by Sunrise Ag Co-op of Buckman. The "victim" stood in the grain while some grain was released from the bottom of the simulator bin. In just a matter of a few seconds, he would be engulfed about waist deep in corn.
With Rieckmann giving instructions, the rescuers worked to place a four-piece aluminum coffer dam around the victim. Then a shop vac was used to remove enough of the corn so the victim could pull himself out of the bin. With the right equipment, and knowing what to do and how to do it, this rescue took only a few minutes.
"But the reality is you only have a few minutes," Leon Skroch said, "so a trained team is really vital to the success of these missions."
He contends that due to the high volume of grain storage bins being built in Minnesota, it is not a matter of "if" there will be an entrapment, but rather "when." Being prepared is the key, which is why Complete Grain Systems has ordered the RES-Q-tube coffer dam unit with intentions of making it available to area rescue squads as needed.
The RES-Q-tube units cost about $3,000 each and are available through any GSI dealer. To arrange for a training session, log on to www.grainsystems.com.
Education/Safety
Related Photos
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Members of the City of Rice Fire Department were among those particpating in an April 27 grain bin rescue training excercise.
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Participants in the grain bin rescue training session assemble the four-piece aluminum coffer dam around the "victim."
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A monitor mounted on the side of the grain bin gave attendees a bird's-eye view of the simulated rescue effort.
Discussion
June 4, 2010
Rice Fire Dept. grain bin rescue training could save lives
Originally published in the May 28, 2010, print edition.
- Education/Safety
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Rice Fire Dept. grain bin rescue training could save lives
Farmers getting trapped in grain bins makes the news far too often these days. The fact that there are more bins - and bigger bins - partially explains this sometimes-deadly encounter. Not having the right equipment for rescuing a trapped victim can lead to the worst-case scenario.
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