The volunteer fire department for the area was the first to arrive on-site; the crew immediately deployed their grain-rescue tubes around the victim inside the bin. Lt. Nate Truex attributes their initial efforts with preventing the victim from being completely covered in grain, essentially saving his life. With tag lines in place and grain-rescue tubes inside, the operation was going in the correct direction. But rescuers still faced several obstacles.

When the Charleston crew arrived on the scene the victim was conscious and still had feeling in his extremities. There was a 30-foot to 40-foot shelf of grain on the east side of the bin that was concerning to the first responders. When the farmer started complaining that he was extremely cold and had what could only be described as crushing pain throughout his body, the team knew they needed to act fast if they were going to save him.

Although the first responders on the scene managed to put rescue shields inside, the shields unfortunately were not locked together. While the shields would save his life by preventing the grain from flowing over his head, grain was still flowing inside – putting additional pressure on the victim. In addition to shutting the auger down, the team cut off all electricity to the bin to avoid additional challenges. They then went to work with spreaders and a ram to push the panels apart, buying themselves some time.

Luckily some of the rescuers had already called for a grain vacuum. Once it arrived on the scene, the team was able to remove grain from the tube and alleviate pressure. With relief holes cut, the rescuers were still concerned about the 30-foot wall of grain beside them – and whether or not the movement of grain would cause them to become victims themselves.

“We have procedures in place where, depending on where we’re going, we can contact our local seed companies,” Assistant Chief Tim Meister. “They’ll bring us a grain vac wherever we’re going. Grain vacs are the key.”

After almost four hours of hard work and creative thinking, the responders were able to remove enough grain to free the victim from the bin with a harness. He was then flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital; he was released days later.

“It’s always a good day when you’re called and you can actually help someone,” Lt. Colton Crowe said. “It’s very rare to have outcomes like this in a grain-bin-entrapment situation.”

The Charleston responders were quick to share credit with the volunteers from the rural departments who they help support – especially those on the scene that day.

“The volunteers are a blessing around here,” Fire Chief Steve Bennett said. “In Coles County there are only two full-time fire departments. The rest are volunteers, and we’re proud to work hand-in-hand with them.”

Extensive training is key to the department’s success. The Charleston Fire Department is a member of the Illinois Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, a statewide organization comprised of fire, Emergency Medical Services, and specialized incident-operational teams. The theory behind the system is that if there’s a big incident resources can be called from different parts of the state, and everyone has the same training and equipment to make the rescue more efficient.

First responders must always weigh the time factor – time to assemble their teams and equipment but also drive time to the site. With so many rural departments being volunteer departments, they’ll be lucky on any given day to have a handful of responders or the equipment they need to answer a call. Because of that resources like the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System in Illinois are key for rural areas. It’s essentially a mutual-aid system throughout the state to ensure they are prepared for any disaster, whether manmade or natural.

The Charleston Fire Department is part of Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division 26, which covers six counties. There are 69 divisions in total. Division 26 has a hazardous-materials team and a technical-rescue team. The group’s trailer is equipped with all the tools and resources they could need for the rescues their division is certified in. It’s equipment most departments don’t have access to or have readily available, but it’s equipment that could make the difference between a rescue and a recovery.

At the end of the day, Truex presented the team with a check for $5,000 to put toward tools, resources, equipment and training to help them better serve farmers throughout the state. It’s intended to continue to provide hope and inspiration for farmers and other firefighters so those who protect life on the farm have the tools they need to ensure everyone arrives home safely.

By sharing stories of courage and heroic efforts through Beck’s Day Ever, Beck’s is working to raise awareness for rural rescue and fire departments across the country who dedicate their lives to helping farmers and communities stay safe.

Visit beckshybrids.com/becks-day-ever for more information and to learn how Beck’s is working to help communities across rural America through the Beck’s Day Ever program.