Kanza Cooperative Association hosted a grain entrapment training for rescue personnel at the Furley grain elevator on March 17-18. A total of 56 technical rescue personnel from Butler County Rescue, Wichita Fire, Sedgwick County Fire, Newton Fire, and Hutchinson Fire participated in the exercise.

Furley location manager, Brice Denton, led the training that covered lock out tag out, out of condition grain, and other hazards of bin entry.

Participants engaged in five scenarios that ranged from high angle rescue with retrieval of an employee that was off the elevator side, to a low angle confined space rescue.

“Having emergency response personnel train at our facilities gives them a chance to test out new equipment and to train in different scenarios they may not otherwise have an opportunity to practice,” said Cory Enterkin, Safety and Compliance Manager for Kanza.

Approximately 30 grain bin entrapments occur each year in the U.S. according to Purdue University’s annual survey of grain handling accidents. Enterkin believes that this training will help emergency personnel sharpen their skills and be prepared if they ever face this scenario in real life.

“This is but one more example of Kanza’s commitment to promoting a safe working environment and cultivating relationships with first responders in our territorial footprint,” said Nick Krehbiel, Chief Compliance Officer for Kanza.