Emergency responders face unique, high-risk challenges on farms, including toxic atmospheres, enclosed spaces, managing animals under stress and machinery entrapments.
That’s why the National Farm Medicine Center of Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, in partnership with Pittsville Fire and Life Link 3 Air Medical Transport, is hosting the Agricultural Rescue Training program, May 8-9, in Marshfield.
“The program is designed for emergency medical technicians and rescue personnel to supplement basic emergency training,” said Pittsville Fire Chief Jerry Minor. “We’ll use some specific farm-incident situations, while providing ‘take-home-and-use’ information.”
Soon after its establishment in 1981, the National Farm Medicine Center initiated farm rescue training for firefighters and other emergency responders. During the next two decades, more than 1,400 participants from Wisconsin and beyond were trained in rescue techniques specific to agricultural hazards.
In 2020, a new generation is working in the mostly-volunteer fire services of Wisconsin, and fewer of them have farm backgrounds. This is significant, because basic training materials and texts do not provide specific information on dealing with agricultural incidents, Minor said.
Lecture topics covered will include: (Friday evening)
-Prevention of farm accidents — “Yes we have the tools to do this now.”
-Emergency management of patients experiencing farm trauma
-Pediatric trauma on the farm
-Case studies and success stories
Hands-on Workshops will cover: (Saturday on the Farm)
-Farm Familiarization — “A must for those with little or no exposure to farms.”
-Silo rescue
-Grain bin rescue
-Tractor rollovers – “Still the number one cause of farming fatalities.”
-Equipment extrication – “Bring the tool box.”
To register, go to www.agrescue.org. Registration fee is $75 through April 24, increasing to $100 after that date. The first 100 applicants will be accepted. A total of 9.5 hours of training will be awarded
For more information about the workshop, contact Chief Minor ([email protected]) or Kyle Koshalek ([email protected], 715-389-3786).
This training is made possible by philanthropic support from the Auction of Champions through the National Farm Medicine Center.
Author: News Desk
This piece was posted by our news team! Contact us or submit stories at [email protected].
