More than 10 area fire departments participated in a unique training exercise Saturday, March 24.The large machine rescue class was sponsored by the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department and was funded through the Missouri Division of Fire Safety.It was held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church.Kraig Bone, of Local Emergency Training Specialists (LETS Training Solutions), headed up the exercise. The target hazard was farm or industrial accidents.Bone said there is much to learn when it comes to the hazards common to a rural community. There is a variety of large farm equipment used by local farmers, such as tractors, balers, combines and augers. Each one comes in a variety of sizes, weight and function.Small communities with industrial and manufacturing companies present another challenge to first responders.“In addition to learning the skills, we like to tour local companies to get an idea of what the risks are,” said Sean Johnson with the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department. “There are so many variables for us to be aware of.”About 30 first responders moved through several scenarios, which included a hay baler, overturned tractor and an auger. Skills being taught included rescue and extrication techniques for people who could be trapped under or inside equipment.Johnson said firefighters attended the exercise to reinforce and add skills they could take back to their agencies. They learned to figure out the approximate weight of the machines, use pneumatic air bags to lift, and practice with concrete saws or the jaws of life.Local Emergency Training Specialists began training small fire departments in 2002. The organization now provides a variety of courses to emergency agencies of all sizes. In addition to Large Equipment Training, courses include propane emergencies, flammable liquid training and drug lab awareness. To learn more visit www.letstrain573.com.Lunch was provided by 1-800-Board Up, a nationwide company that helps victims recover from a fire, storm or other disaster.

Kraig Bone, second from left, of LETS Training Solutions, led more than 30 first responders in large equipment training Saturday, March 24 on the St. Ignatius church grounds near Marthasville. The goal of the class was to prepare firefighters to extricate accident victims from farm and industrial equipment. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Firefighters of more than 10 agencies participated in a large equipment training exercise Saturday, March 24, at St. Ignatius Church in Marthasville. Four scenarios were available to first responders, including a hay baler. Participants learned to lift or cut apart equipment to extricate accident victims. The event was sponsored by the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department and funded by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Participants in a large equipment training exercise practice cutting through an auger during training Saturday, March 24. More than 10 agencies attended the exercise. It was sponsored by the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Nearly 30 first responders attended a large equipment training exercise Saturday, March 24. A variety of scenarios helped participants learn the skills necessary to extricate victims of farm or industrial accidents. LETS Training Solutions provided the training. It was sponsored by the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden