OUR VIEW from the Opinion Page of The Frederick News Post

A NEW TOOL FOR SAVING LIVES

Being trapped in a grain storage bin is akin to being caught in quicksand — and the prognosis is just as grim, unless rescuers can help quickly.

We were pleased to report that the New Midway Volunteer Fire Company has received a tool that can be used to rescue someone who becomes trapped in a bin.

The Maryland Farm Bureau and Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety campaign awarded the Great Wall of Rescue system to New Midway, then trained Fire Chief Bryan Pescatore’s crew on how to use it.

The tube is placed around a person who is stuck in grain or sand, so responders can isolate them, then remove the material within the tube to get the person out.

“We hope that we never have to use it,” Pescatore told News-Post reporter Cameron Adams, “but it’s nice to know that we do have the tools available.” Jenell McHenry, programs and public relations director of the Maryland Grain Producers, told

our reporter that seven fire departments in the state were receiving the tubes.

Each was chosen to maximize the life-saving potential. She said the group maps where grain bins are and where tubes already exist and try to fill the gaps.

Researchers at Purdue University reported that at least 27 people were entrapped in grain bins in the United States in 2023, though no accidents were reported locally.

McHenry said it takes four seconds for an adult to sink knee deep in flowing grain and that “nearly one in eight entrapments involve youth under the age of 20.”

We echo Pescatore in saying the tube is a great tool to have, and we hope it is never needed.