HUMESTON — More than 60 fire and EMS (emergency management services) personnel from 16 agencies in Wayne, Decatur, Clarke, Lucas and Appanoose counties attended a grain-bin rescue class Nov. 9 and 10 at Humeston Fire Station.
Humeston Fire Department received a grant from DuPont-Pioneer to purchase a rescue bin tube to aid emergency crews in the rescue of someone trapped in a grain bin.
“A call of this type will involve a lot of people,” said Humeston Chief Greg Watsabaugh. “So, we wanted everyone to be on the same page in this type of situation.”
Humeston is the only department in the area with this equipment, and is willing to assist any other agency in the area if the need arises.
Don Ashenfelton of Professional Rescue Innovations was the instructor for six-hour class “Caught in the Grain,” which was presented twice so more area emergency responders could attend.
“We had a lot of good comments,” said Watsabaugh.
Humeston Fire Department extends their appreciation to to DuPont-Pioneer for the grant to purchase the tube; Humeston businesses MFA Ag for providing the grain for the training; Agri-Land FS, South Central Coop, and Insurance Connection for making the meal served each day possible; and Wayne County Emergency Management for the DeWalt drill to be used with equipment.
