Winnipeg (Rural Roots Canada) – Farmers across the country are working feverishly to get their crops off the field and into the bin.

With that comes a lot of interaction with grain, whether it be in the combine’s storage bin, as it is being trucked from the field to the bin or the terminal, and as it is being augered from the truck in to the bin.

If the unthinkable were to happen to someone working with the grain, fire crews across the country are now well equipped to save them thanks to a partnership between the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association and Corteva Agriscience.

We’re pleased to announce our collaboration with @planfarmsafety to support #BeGrainSafe, a program designed to equip rural fire departments with the training and equipment needed for grain entrapment rescues. #CdnAg

— Corteva Canada (@CortevaCA) July 22, 2020

CASA’s BeGrainSafe CASA’s grain safety program is designed to save lives.

The program includes the BeGrainSafe mobile demonstration unit, as well as resources that raise awareness on grain hazards, and train firefighters on grain entrapment rescue and now supply these fire departments with much-needed rescue equipment.

The mobile training and demonstration unit entraps a mannequin/person in flowing grain in a controlled manner to demonstrate the dangers of grain entrapment and rescue training procedures.

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This past summer, Corteva Canada supported the program by purchasing a GSI RES-Q-TUBE and a Haul-ALL pencil auger for eligible rural fire departments that took part in BeGrainSafe training.

The grain rescue tube and portable auger are essential in rescuing a person trapped in grain.

When used in combination, the grain rescue tube creates a barrier between the victim and the grain while the auger helps rescuers quickly move the grain away from the potential victim.

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Robert Gobeil, the Agricultural Health and Safety Specialist for CASA, says these tools are imperative when seconds count.

“Having a grain rescue tube and a portable auger available to fire departments trained in grain extrication greatly increases the probability of a victim surviving a grain entrapment,” Gobeil said.

Corteva Agriscience Canada Communications Leader Kris Allen says they’re proud to work with CASA to help equips rural fire departments with the tools they need to keep Canadian growers and their families safe.

“Handling grain is an everyday occurrence in the agriculture industry, meaning unexpected grain incidents can happen at any moment,” Allen said.