Machinery Entanglement
Program Director of managing agricultural emergencies Mr.
David Hill presented the simulated overturned tractor and
machinery entanglement at Penn State. Members of FWM Fire
Company participated in the class, funded by the state
Department of Agriculture.
Causes of death from farm accidents is from tractor
overturns or machinery entanglements, said Mr. David. These
deaths also have an economic impact - every farmer killed means
a loss of about $900,000 to the farming community, he added.
Farm accidents are different from vehicle accidents, he said.
The victim can be trapped for hours before being discovered,
creating much different medical conditions. Exposure to substances
such as fuel, battery acid, hydraulic fluid and manure must also be
dealt with.
Firefighters practiced safely stabilizing an overturned tractor
on its side or upside down, digging underneath it, lifting the
machine and extricating the victim. They also learned how to
extricate a victim entangled in a farm machine.
"These are specialty rescue skills," said Wyoming County EMA
training officer Mr. Dave Carichner. "It's different from a
vehicle accident. In these accidents an entrapped victim can actually
become part of the machinery. There hasn't been any of this kind of
training here in quite some time."
Hill also offers programs on dealing with farm chemical incidents
and emergencies in confined spaces, such as silos.
More of this type of class will be offered in the future, as needed
and requested, said Mr. Dave. He sees a need for them, not only
because of the number of farms in the area, but also due to the many
people who use equipment such as tractors, brush mowers,
skidders, loaders and augers to maintain their property.
The equipment was provided by Charles McCarthy Farm Equipment,
Meshoppen, and Bartron Supply, Tunkhannock Township. Steven
Henning donated the use of his land for the class.
Source: newage-examiner.com
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