67 Fire Departments Receive Rescue Equipment and Training

Nationwide Boosts Grain Bin Rescue Safety

Grain bins are an important part of modern farming, but they can also present serious dangers. Hidden hazards inside grain storage facilities can lead to grain entrapment incidents within seconds. Flowing grain can pull individuals beneath the surface, while unstable grain bridges or crusts can collapse and trap workers. 

To help address these risks, Nationwide continues to expand its Grain Bin Safety Program. The initiative focuses on improving preparedness among first responders and helping rural communities respond quickly and effectively to grain bin emergencies. 

In 2026, Nationwide provided grain rescue tubes and specialized safety training to 67 fire departments across multiple states. The program is designed to ensure that emergency responders have access to the equipment and practical skills needed when a grain entrapment incident occurs. 

The 2026 recipients are: 

• ACW Unionville Fire Department – Unionville, MI 

• Agate Fire Protection District – Agate, CO 

• American Falls Rural Fire Department – American Falls, ID 

• Ames Volunteer Fire Company – Canajoharie, NY 

• Armenia Volunteer Fire Department – Necedah, WI 

• Bellville Fire Department/Jefferson Township – Bellville, OH 

• Belvue Township Fire Department – Belvue, KS 

• Benton County DHS – Fowler, IN 

• Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department – Bowling Green, IN 

• Copper Creek Moccasin Volunteer Fire Department – Castlewood, VA 

• Crockett County Emergency Management Agency – Alamo, TN 

• Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Company – Dagsboro, DE= 

• Derry Township Volunteer Fire Department Co. #1 – Bradenville, PA 

• Dover Fire Department – Dover, MN 

• Vergennes Fire Department – Vergennes, IL 

• Eastern Garrett County Volunteer Fire & Rescue – Frostburg, MD 

• Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department – Elizabeth, IN 

• Fertile Fire Department – Fertile, IA 

• Flagler Rural Fire Protection District – Flagler, CO 

• Freistatt Fire Department – Freistatt, MO 

• Galena Volunteer Fire Department – Galena, MD 

• Garden City Fire Department – Garden City, KS 

• Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Department – Gettysburg, SD 

• Goldsboro Volunteer Fire Company – Goldsboro, MD 

• Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company – Greenwood, DE 

• Harrison Fire-Rescue – Harrison, WI 

• Hazard Volunteer Fire Department – Hazard, NE 

• Hebron Alden Greenwood Fire Protection District – Hebron, IL 

• Irvington Fire Protection District – Irvington, IL 

• Kent City Fire Department – Kent City, MI 

• Laverne Fire Department – Laverne, OK 

• Lewis Fire Department – Lewis, KS 

• Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department – North Liberty, IN 

• Luray Fire Department – Luray, VA 

• Marissa Fire Department – Marissa, IL 

• Marseilles Volunteer Fire Department – LaRue, OH 

• Merritt Township Fire Department – Munger, MI 

• Mexico Community Fire Association – Mexico, IN 

• Morristown Fire Department – Morristown, MN 

• Needmore Volunteer Fire Company – Needmore, PA 

• New Madrid Fire Department – New Madrid, MO 

• North Fremont Fire District – Ashton, ID 

• Orchard Volunteer Fire & Rescue – Orchard, NE 

• Powhattan Fire Department – Powhattan, KS 

• Roachdale Volunteer Fire Department – Roachdale, IN 

• Robert Fulton Fire Company – Peach Bottom, PA 

• Rock Port Volunteer Fire Department – Rock Port, MO 

• Seneca Fire Department – Seneca, KS 

• Skelton-Owen Fire Territory – Tennyson, IN 

• Springfield Volunteer Fire Department – Springfield, CO 

• St. Charles Fire and Rescue – St. Charles, MN 

• Tipton Rural Fire Protection District – Tipton, MO 

• Uehling Volunteer Fire Department – Uehling, NE 

• Union County Rescue Squad – Jonesboro, IL 

• Valley Chemical Fire Company – Numidia, PA 

• Vernon Township Fire Department – Corunna, MI 

• Village of Newcomerstown Fire Department – Newcomerstown, OH 

• Virginia Volunteer Fire Department – Virginia, IL 

• Walnut Fire Protection District – Walnut, IL 

• Warrensburg Fire Department – Warrensburg, IL 

• Waterville Fire Department – Waterville, KS 

• Waupaca Area Fire Department – Waupaca, WI 

• Webster Fire Department – Webster, IN 

• Westfield Fire Protection District – Westfield, IL 

• Westminster Fire Department – Harrod, OH 

• Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company – Whiteford, MD 

• Wright City Fire Protection District – Wright City, MO 

According to industry data, more than 150 grain entrapment incidents have been reported during the past five years. Because local fire departments are frequently the first to arrive at emergency scenes, proper preparation and specialized rescue equipment can play a critical role in saving lives. 

Nationwide launched its Grain Bin Safety Program and Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in 2014. Since then, the company has worked with industry organizations and safety partners to improve emergency response capabilities in agricultural communities. Through these efforts, fire departments receive grain rescue equipment, hands-on instruction, and opportunities to participate in realistic rescue scenarios. 

A key partner in the program is the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS). NECAS instructors travel to participating communities and provide classroom education as well as practical rescue exercises. Using grain entrapment simulators, firefighters gain real-world experience that strengthens their preparedness and confidence. 

The training allows emergency personnel to practice rescue procedures in a controlled environment before responding to actual incidents. This approach helps departments develop skills that may be needed during life-threatening situations involving grain storage structures. 

Nationwide says the goal of the program is prevention first. However, when emergencies occur, trained responders with the proper equipment can make a significant difference. The grain rescue tubes distributed through the initiative are designed to assist rescue teams in safely removing trapped individuals from grain bins. 

Since the program began, it has grown into one of the leading agricultural safety efforts in North America. Nationwide has now supplied rescue equipment and training to 519 fire departments across 35 states. The company estimates that nearly $2.5 million in resources have been invested through the initiative. 

The long-term impact of the program extends beyond equipment donations. By increasing awareness and encouraging safety education, the initiative helps farmers, grain handlers, and emergency personnel better understand the hazards associated with grain storage systems. 

Program organizers report that the training and equipment distributed through the Grain Bin Safety Program have contributed to at least 19 successful rescues since 2014. These outcomes demonstrate the importance of preparation, collaboration, and continued investment in agricultural safety. 

“Every grain rescue tube helps make a community safer and better prepared to respond when the unthinkable happens,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Our goal is always prevention, but when a grain entrapment occurs, having trained and equipped first responders can make all the difference. We're grateful for the fire departments and partners working every day to help protect farmers and save lives.” 

The program is supported by NECAS and numerous agricultural organizations, farm groups, agribusinesses, insurance providers, and industry partners. Together, these organizations are working to improve emergency readiness, reduce risks, and create safer conditions across rural communities. 

As grain handling operations continue to play a vital role in agriculture, initiatives that promote safety awareness and emergency preparedness remain essential. Programs such as Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety Program help ensure that communities have the tools and knowledge needed to respond when every second counts.

Photo Credit: Nationwide