Pictured Left – Right: Capt. Loren Edwards, Lt. Nathan Edwards, Assistant Fire Chief Steve Banaka, Frontier Farm Credit Financial Officer Dakota Welch, FF Kenny Keithline, Capt. Rusty Bontrager, FF Mary Macy, & FF Alan Slipke. Photo credit: Netawaka RFD #6

(KNZA)--Netawaka Rural Fire District #6 has received a $2,000 grant for the purchase of grain bin rescue equipment.

The grant is provided through Frontier Farm Credit’s Working Here Fund.

Dakota Welch, Financial Officer for Frontier Farm Credit’s office in Hiawatha presented the check on Wednesday, August 30th at the Netawaka Fire Station.

Grain bin rescue equipment is used to rescue individuals trapped in grain. The rescue process is extremely dangerous, but with the right equipment, the opportunity for a successful rescue is greatly increased. By having the grain bin rescue equipment on site, Netawaka Rural Fire District #6 will improve their response time in emergencies.

“With multiple farms and grain storage locations throughout our response area in northern Jackson County, the potential of being called to a grain entrapment emergency is highly possible,” said Lieutenant Jon Banaka, Netawaka Rural Fire District #6. “Having grain rescue equipment immediately available will help ensure the greatest opportunity for a successful rescue.”

“Farming and ranching are risky occupations, and we thank Netawaka Rural Fire District #6 for their help to ensure our communities remain safe,” said Michael Leitch, vice president of retail operations at Frontier Farm Credit’s Hiawatha office.

Netawaka Rural Fire District #6 is one of 12 organizations to receive a Working Here Fund grant in the second quarter of 2017. Frontier Farm Credit awarded $18,685 during the latest grant cycle ending June 30, 2017.