Marion County Ag in the Classroom teacher Meggan Hiestand presents a check to Kell Fire Assistant Chief Jason Franke to purchase a new warning sign. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Kell and Iuka Fire Departments have received $250 grants from the Marion County Farm Bureau and Country Financial.
Ag in the Classroom Teacher Meggan Hiestand made the presentations Wednesday night.
“Every year I get a Farm Safety Grant I apply for sometimes I try for $1,500-2,000 and this year we got $500 and we decided to do a community outreach to the local fire departments due to Progressive Ag not allowing us to have a Farm Safety Day in person.”
Iuka Fire Captain Chad Eagan says they requested equipment for their grain rescue program.
“We got a Milwaukee battery-powered K-saw that is used on our grain bin rescue team to cut the sides of the bin if needed. I knew the grain bin rescue team has been trying to build their equipment up so when Meggan came to me about the grant I decided it would be something to benefit the whole county so I thought it would be a good option for that.”
Kell Fire Assistant Chief Jason Franke says they requested money to improve firefighter safety.
“The first thing we want to do when we go out on a call is protect our fireman. So this sign is basically going to help increase our safety metrics for our firemen. We cover a large portion of I-57 and so we are out on car accidents this sign will be on our 3rd care out, our blocker truck and it will be deployed on the scene pretty far back so the traffic will know there is an accident and hopefully they can get slowed down.”
Hiestand is hopeful the Farm Safety Day held annually at the Marion County Fairgrounds will be able to return next year.
Iuka Fire Captain Chad Eagan accepts a check from Meggan Hiestand for the purchase of a new saw to use for grain bin rescue operations. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
