United States – October 31, 2026 -- Nationwide's Grain Bin Safety program has supplied grain rescue equipment and training to 519 fire departments in 35 states, a package worth nearly $2.5 million, after adding 67 departments in 2026.

Program credited with at least 19 lives saved since 2014

The insurer launched its Grain Bin Safety advocacy program and Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in 2014. Its resources have contributed to at least 19 lives saved over that period.

The 2026 cohort received grain rescue tubes and hands-on training. Recipients include the ACW Unionville Fire Department in Michigan, the Agate Fire Protection District in Colorado, the American Falls Rural Fire Department in Idaho and the Crockett County Emergency Management Agency in Tennessee.

More than 150 entrapments in five years put local responders on the front line

More than 150 grain entrapments were reported over the past five years. Flowing grain can pull a person under within seconds, and a crusted or bridged surface can collapse and bury the occupant. Local fire departments are often the first and only line of defense, so rescue success depends on equipment and training being in place before the call comes.

NECAS delivers simulator-based training on site at each department

Nationwide works with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to deliver the tubes and training. NECAS travels to each department with grain entrapment simulators. Sessions combine classroom education with rescue simulations using the entrapment tools.

Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide, said that when an entrapment occurs, trained and equipped first responders "can make all the difference." He added that the program's goal remains prevention.

Agricultural and insurance partners co-fund the rescue tubes

The program is supported by Nationwide, NECAS and dozens of partners. Named backers include KC Supply, Syngenta, CHS, GROWMARK, Farm Credit Mid America, Marsh McLennan Agency, Gallagher and Acrisure Insurance. Corn and soybean boards in Indiana, Maryland, Delaware, Missouri and Nebraska also contribute, as do farm bureaus in New York, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Nationwide is also inviting local sponsors to fund a rescue tube for their own fire department.