Montgomery County ag safety training

Key Points

  • Montgomery County Farm Bureau and Crash Course Village partnered to provide a two-day agricultural rescue training for firefighters.
  • Responders received hands-on training using actual farm equipment to simulate realistic emergency scenarios.
  • The program equipped firefighters with critical skills in tractor extrication, machinery entrapment and hazard management to improve victim survivability.

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County Farm Bureaus take ag safety seriously.

No place was that more apparent than in Farmersville, Ohio, earlier this year when Montgomery County Farm Bureau hosted two days of immersive agriculture training in partnership with Crash Course Village at the Farmersville-Jackson Township Joint Recreation Park.

Firefighters from several counties took part in the training, learning firsthand how to react when a crisis happens far away from the firehouse.

“We started planning it a year ago as something that was important to Farm Bureau and was important to us and to local farmers,” said Eric Hagemeyer, Montgomery County Farm Bureau board trustee and a captain with the Kettering Fire Department. He both helped organize the event and participated in the training.

Through a combination of classroom preparation and hands-on exercises, attendees learned about agricultural and farm rescue techniques covering tractor extrication, machinery entrapment, large animal rescue, grain bin rescue and hazards associated with manure pits.

Livestock emergency training
Livestock emergency training was part of a two-day first responder exercise in Farmersville, Ohio, earlier this year.

One aspect that made this training very realistic was the different farm equipment donated by local farmers so firefighters could get hands-on experience to see exactly what it’s like in a real-life scenario.

“It was something that we wanted to train the rescuers to help equip them with knowledge and skills to save farmers in emergency situations,” Hagemeyer said.

Tailoring participation

Crash Course Village’s Farm & Agricultural Rescue Training is a modular, scenario-driven program intentionally designed to function as two standalone one-day trainings or as a comprehensive two-day experience, which is how the Montgomery County training was designed.

This structure allows departments to tailor participation while maintaining a consistent, high-fidelity training standard across all operational hazards common to agricultural incidents.

Jared Buckley, Crash Course Village’s director of development, said the extensive training was something firefighters across the country have been asking for and he looks to replicate. 

Farm and agricultural incidents consistently place responders into uncontrolled environments with limited margin for error. Unlike urban rescue scenes, these incidents often involve unfamiliar equipment, delayed resources and hazards that escalate rapidly when mishandled.

This training equipped responders with the knowledge, confidence and decision-making framework necessary to reduce rescuer injuries, improve victim survivability and operate deliberately when seconds and small mistakes carry severe consequences.

“Having experienced the painful loss of a loved one on my own farm, this program is deeply personal to me. Partnering with Crash Course brought together two passionate organizations with one single focus—equipping our first responders so we can save lives,” said Christy Montoya, OFBF organization director for Butler, Hamilton, Montogmery and Preble counties.

What’s Next

For more information about training available through Crash Course Village, contact [email protected].

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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