Nationwide Insurance awards life-saving grain rescue tools to rural fire departments in North Dakota

In Fargo, North Dakota, Nationwide Insurance is taking a significant initiative to support rural communities across the United States by providing essential grain rescue tools to local fire departments. These tools are indispensable for saving lives in situations where individuals become entrapped in grain, a distressingly common occurrence in rural areas. Just last year, there were no fewer than 42 instances of grain entrapments, tragically leading to a total of 15 fatalities.

To combat this alarming trend and reduce the risk of such accidents and the resulting loss of lives, Nationwide Insurance conducts its annual Grain Bin Safety campaign. Through this initiative, they have taken the commendable step of awarding 60 fire departments across the country with grain rescue tubes and the necessary training to use them effectively. This proactive approach to safety has undoubtedly made a significant difference in rural communities by equipping local fire departments with the tools and knowledge they need to respond to grain entrapment incidents swiftly and effectively.

This year, the Rutland and Bowman Rural Fire Departments are among the fortunate recipients of these life-saving resources. The invaluable grain rescue tubes and training provided by Nationwide have already proven their worth. In the early months of this year, at least seven lives were saved thanks to the prompt actions of these local fire departments armed with the knowledge and equipment provided by Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety campaign. This heartening result underscores the importance of Nationwide’s commitment to rural safety, demonstrating how their support is making a tangible and immediate impact on the well-being of those living in grain-dependent communities.