Landmark donates to Madison heavy rescue team

Landmark Services Cooperative recently hosted a series of grain bin rescue trainings for area fire and rescue personnel.

Trainings were presented at Landmark's grain facilities in Burlington, Evansville, Cambria and Cottage Grove.

Dale Ekdahl of Outstate Data taught the hands-on training and rescue courses. Outstate Data of Elbow Lake, MN is the designer and manufacturer of Grain Rescue Tubes that assist in grain engulfment situations.

To date, Landmark has purchased nine Grain Rescue Tubes - one for each of their grain facilities.

During the trainings, emergency personnel were able to use the Grain Rescue Tubes in mock emergency situations.

In each training scenario the emergency personnel were in a grain set-up, working to recover a troubled victim.

The rescue teams used the Grain Rescue Tubes, which act as a barrier and prevent any other grain from surrounding the victim, giving them a much easier escape.

Rescue personnel practiced in a number of different situations, with emphasis on both conscious and unconscious victims.

Attendees at all of the sessions expressed their thanks and appreciation for the knowledge imparted by Ekdahl on the use of the tubes.

The timing on these trainings happened to coincide with Madison Fire Department (MFD) Chief, Ernie Martinez, as he was working to complete a grant to help fund the purchase of grain rescue equipment.

Martinez, who oversees MFD's Heavy Rescue Team, contacted Landmark's Mike Elder, VP-Corporate Services, to get additional information on the amount of grain that is handled and stored in Dane County, to assist with the grant application.

Through their conversation, Matinez informed Elder that MFD was looking to purchase the same bin rescue tubes that Landmark had already purchased for each of their grain locations.

On June 26, Landmark had the opportunity to donate a Grain Rescue Tube to MFD's Heavy Rescue team.

"Since MFD is the designated rescue team for Dane County, it seemed like a natural fit for Landmark to donate these tubes to them," says Elder. "This will allow MFD to have the tubes readily available for emergency response, should a situation arise."

"At Landmark we are proud to have the opportunity to both donate, and provide trainings with the Grain Rescue Tubes," he concludes. "We feel this allows us to help make these situations as safe as possible."