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Nationwide Insurance donates grain rescue tubes

A senior official with Nationwide Insurance says 58 rural fire departments in 32 states have received critical safety equipment.

Laramie Sandquist, senior assistant vice president with Nationwide Agribusiness, says the company and its partners have provided the departments with grain rescue tubes.

“It’s an aluminum tube structure and they surround the victim so that they can get an auger type device in there to clear out the grain that’s around that person,” he says, “and then get them to a point where they can get out.”

He tells Brownfield the devices and training offered in the eleven-year-old program has saved lives.

“At least 13 that we’ve had over the time.”  He says, “We’ve actually had six rescues this year. So almost half of our rescues have come in the year of 2024. So, it’s good that we have these out there. It’s good that folks are trained on how to use them. And obviously in the time of need, there’s not a second to waste.”

Sandquist says it’s important for farmers to take extra safety precautions around grain bins.

“We’ve been able to get 390 departments across 32 states these grain tubes.”  He says, “Most importantly, not just the tubes to help them, but also the training on how to use these tubes and to really do those lifesaving mechanisms.”

He says the next round of fire department nominations for the grants will open in early 2025.

A link to learn more about the program can be found HERE.

AUDIO: Laramie Sandquist – Nationwide