National farm medicine center

Agricultural Rescue Training (A.R.T.)

Farm work is hard— it's constant, and it can be demanding. Even with the advanced assistance of modern technology, farming is the most dangerous occupation in the United States.

Farms have it all: flammable substances, heavy machinery, exposure to toxic chemicals, and wild animals that invade properties, to name just a few. In preparation for potential emergent rescues and first aid, local rescue and response teams must be well-trained and well-educated when a farm accident occurs.

Each year, the Agricultural Rescue Training (A.R.T.) program offers an opportunity with in-depth knowledge and hands-on scenarios that provide training and education to 100 emergency responders statewide. The National Farm Medicine Center and the partnership of Pittsville Fire Company offer a two-day training seminar that includes the expertise of Life Link III Medical Flight Service, Heiman’s Holsteins Farm, Heeg Farms, Inc., and the Marshfield Clinic Health System.

The third Agricultural Rescue Training will be held outside Marshfield as part of a five-year project. Scheduled classroom sessions and five training stations help first responders increase their awareness of farm hazards, how to pre-plan emergency responses to a farm, and how to use specialized equipment and techniques to rescue individuals involved in a farm emergency safely. Classroom sessions include patient care learning, Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health (RF-DASH), and a presentation of large animal rescue. Training stations include grain bin rescue, silo rescue, tractor roller, equipment extraction, and farm familiarization.