Farmedic program to help emergency crews respond better to farm accidents

More than 20 first responders from the Foothills Fire Department took part in a new initiativeaimedathelping them dealwith challengeswhen reacting to farm emergencies.

According to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting(CAIR), there was355farmfatalitiesin Albertabetween 1990 and2009.

KaleySegboerfromAg for Life says many farms are still family owned.

"When you have a farm injury or incidentit's not just a worker that's being impacted, it's dad or mom or a brother or sister that's injured, andthey are no longer able to participate in family activities.... It affects the extended family and multiple generations,"she said.

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The not-for-profit organizationrolled out their Farmedicsprogramin De Wintonsouth of Calgary Thursday.

The course is designed toacquaintfirst responders with structures, chemicals and equipment found on farms, to help them react more efficiently in situations when every second counts.

"We train a lot on motor-vehicle accidents and how to put out fires, but we don't train an bunch on farm accidents. Farm equipment is bigger, tougher," said fire instructorLynn Roberts.

The programran for two days and taught volunteer firefighters how to deal with entrapments and entanglements throughclassroom work, farm tours and demonstrations.