Dexter is first to host state-wide grain bin rescue/recovery training

DEXTER- Dexter Fire Chief Don Seymore has been with the fire department for 35 years; and, in that time he said there have been five deaths as a result of someone getting trapped inside a grain bin.

"Five deaths is far too many," Seymore commented. "That's why I'm glad we're going to have this training."

The University of Missouri Extension office will be providing training to the Dexter Fire Department, as well as numerous other departments, this weekend in Dexter. The focus of the training is rescue/recovery of someone from inside a grain bin.

According to the University of Missouri Extension office, Missouri has a high percentage of agriculture associated with grain production. And, as many farmers in the area are aware, grain storage and the activities around and within the grain bins have the the potential for entrapment, which can result in serious injury or death.

"I know one thing we're going to do in the class is 'rescue' someone who is buried up to their chest in a grain bin," Seymore remarked. "There's a proper way to do it; and, if it isn't done right, the person who's trapped could suffer serious injury."

Seymore explained the extraction procedure as being so difficult because of the pressure placed on a trapped body.

"If someone is enveloped in grain, up to their chest, you aren't going to be able to just pull them out," Seymore explained. "A trapped person has approximately 75 lbs. of pressure per-square foot on their body in that kind of situation."

According to the University of Missouri Extension office, the number of grain entrapments increased by 22.5 percent in 2009, over the previous five-year average.

Other data shows that 61 percent of grain bin incidents occur at facilities which are exempt from OSHA inspections. Research shows that the majority of rural fire departments aren't adequately prepared with proper training or equipment to safely and effectively respond to such an incident.

"That's why we're having this class," Seymore remarked. "We want to learn the proper techniques while doing this kind of recovery/rescue."

Seymore said all of Dexter's Fire Department will be receiving the training, as well as agencies from all over the area, as this is the first class of this kind to be taught in the state by the University of Missouri Extension office.

"We'll be learning and training on new equipment during the class," Seymore commented. "We're going to train up to 75 people. It is a really good class."

Seymore went on to explain that the cost of each class is $3,500.

"I'm currently trying to gather the funding needed for all of our guys to be able to get the training," Seymore remarked. "Hopefully, we'll all get to do it, because this is really important training to get."

According to Seymore, the training will go from Friday through Saturday, and everyone involved will learn the necessary techniques and working with the proper equipment.