INDIANAPOLIS — Few accidents on a farm are more frightening, and often tragic, than grain bin entrapments. Since 2022, the farmer-led Board of Directors of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) has dedicated funding for rescue equipment and training for rural firefighters and first responders to turn emergencies into life-saving efforts.

In 2026, the program trained 196 firefighters and first responders. Rescue tubes were provided to nine rural fire departments. Since the start of this program, three lives have been saved using the equipment and training provided by ICMC. These rescues, which occurred in Jackson, Putnam and Shelby counties, validate the need for the program, according to ICMC Board members.

“I don’t think you can really put a value on the lives saved through this program,” said ICMC Board member Mat Berger, a farmer from Fountain City, Ind., who attended the training for rural firefighters recently in Webster, Ind. “We ultimately hope that this equipment isn’t used because no one is getting into their grain bins. But when it needs to be used, it is good to know that the equipment is there and the rescuers on the scene know how to use it. The ICMC Board has committed to continuing its support of this program.”

Now in its fifth year, the program has hosted 42 training programs in Indiana. ICMC collaborates with insurance provider Nationwide and the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to provide the rescue tubes and training to rural fire departments. Additional funding for many of the training sessions was provided by Farm Credit Mid-America. The program has trained 1,221 Hoosier firefighters and first responders in 36 counties.

Fire departments getting tubes this year were: Benton County Emergency Management Agency, Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department (Clay County), Center Township Fire Department (LaPorte County), Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department (Harrison County), Liberty Township Fire Department (St. Joseph County), Mexico Community Fire Association (Miami County), Roachdale Volunteer Fire Department (Putnam County), Skelton Owen Fire Department (Warrick County), and Webster Township Volunteer Fire Department (Wayne County).

Indiana and Minnesota reported the most grain-entrapment cases in 2025 with five each, according to a Purdue University report published in July. Nationally, there were 21 grain bin entrapments in 2025 – a 38 percent decrease from 2024.

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

“We are very grateful to ICMC and Indiana’s farmers for providing us with this life-saving equipment and training,” said Troy McCauley, Webster Township Fire Chief. “Every second counts in an emergency like this. Having this equipment and the skills to use it can make a difference for the farmers in our area. I would encourage any fire department without this equipment to contact the Indiana Corn Marketing Council for details on how to receive this.”

Volunteer fire departments must fill out an application online at incornandsoy.org/grain-bin-safety to be eligible for the rescue tubes and training.