Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Department Awarded Grain Bin Safety Equipment, Training In Nationwide Insurance Contest

GETTYSBURG, (KCCR) — The Gettysburg Volunteer Fire Department is one of 67 nationwide to be awarded grain rescue equipment courtesy of the Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide started the Grain Bin Safety Advocacy program and Nominate Your Fire Department contest in 2014. It’s delivered equipment and training to 519 fire departments in 35 states across the country. C-H-S will help provide the hands-on training for the Gettysburg department. Over two-point-five million dollars worth of grain been rescue equipment and training has been awarded to departments over the course of the program. The equipment has contributed to the rescue of 19 people since 2014. Over 150 grain bin entrapments have bee reported in the last five years according to a 2025 report from the Purdue University Agricultural Safety and Health Program. The grain bin rescue equipment will be delivered before next spring. The Gettysburg Fire Department is the only South Dakota department to be granted the equipment this year.