By Jamie Martin
Agricultural safety remains a top concern across rural America, particularly when it comes to grain storage facilities. Grain bins are essential on many farms, but they can also present hidden dangers that lead to serious accidents if proper precautions are not taken.
One of the most significant risks is grain entrapment. Workers can become trapped when flowing grains behave like quicksand, pulling them downward in a matter of seconds. In other cases, grain surfaces may appear solid but collapse unexpectedly, creating dangerous situations for anyone inside a bin.
To address these challenges, Nationwide continues to invest in programs that support safety education and emergency preparedness. Through its Grain Bin Safety Program, the company works with community partners to provide first responders with specialized rescue equipment and training.
The program reached another milestone in 2026 by delivering grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to 67 fire departments. These resources help rural emergency personnel respond effectively when grain entrapment incidents occur.
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
The effort reflects a growing need for specialized rescue capabilities. More than 150 grain entrapment incidents have been reported over the past five years, highlighting the importance of preparedness and prevention within the agricultural sector.
Fire departments serving farming communities often represent the first line of response during emergencies. Having access to proper equipment and training before an incident occurs can improve rescue outcomes and increase responder safety.
Nationwide first launched the Grain Bin Safety Program in 2014. Since then, the initiative has expanded significantly through partnerships with agricultural organizations, industry groups, and safety advocates that share a commitment to protecting farmers and their communities.
An important component of the program is its collaboration with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety. Through this partnership, participating fire departments receive practical instruction that combines classroom learning with hands-on rescue exercises.
Using grain entrapment simulators, firefighters train in realistic conditions and learn techniques used during actual rescue operations. The training is designed to improve readiness and ensure responders can react effectively during emergencies involving grain storage facilities.
Program leaders emphasize that prevention remains the primary goal. However, when accidents occur, preparedness becomes critical. Rescue tubes and specialized training can provide responders with the tools necessary to manage complex rescue situations safely and efficiently.
Since its founding, the initiative has provided rescue equipment and training to 519 fire departments across 35 states. Nationwide reports that the program has delivered nearly $2.5 million in resources to support agricultural safety efforts.
Beyond emergency response benefits, the initiative also raises awareness about grain bin hazards. Educational outreach encourages farmers, employees, and community members to recognize risks and adopt safer operating practices around grain storage facilities.
The program's impact can be measured through real-world outcomes. Organizers report that equipment and training supplied through the initiative have contributed to at least 19 successful rescues since the program began.
Support for the effort comes from a broad network of agribusiness companies, farm organizations, cooperatives, insurers, and agricultural stakeholders. Their involvement demonstrates the industry's shared commitment to improving safety and protecting lives.
“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.”
As agriculture continues to evolve, safety remains a critical priority. Programs that combine education, training, and practical resources can help reduce risks while ensuring communities are prepared when emergencies occur.
Through continued collaboration and investment, grain safety initiatives are helping strengthen emergency response systems and create safer environments for farmers, agricultural workers, and rural communities across the country.
Photo Credit: Nationwide
Categories: National