NYCAMH’s Farm Family Emergency Response Program

by Anna Meyerhoff (published 3/1/2009 in Country Folks Safety Savvy)

What would you do if you were to find a loved one seriously injured in a farm incident? For most people, that’s a tough question to answer. Many farmers and their families are not trained in first aid and rescue and may not know what to do in a fire, tractor rollover, machinery entanglement or other farm emergency. They may be left feeling helpless at the scene of the incident, anxiously waiting for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to arrive.

NYCAMH already provides safety surveys, training sessions and other information to the farming community in an effort to minimize hazards in a dangerous industry, but prevention can only go so far. In a stressful situation, it is crucial to know ahead of time how to proceed, because the first few minutes are critical. Having a plan and knowing what to do may mean the difference between life and death for the victim. Additionally, plans are designed to keep the rescuer safe, because untrained family members reacting to an emergency may actually put themselves at risk trying to save their loved one.

NYCAMH’s new Farm Family Emergency Response Program is designed to teach farm families what actions to take in an emergency, without putting themselves at risk. The outcome of the victim often depends on the responder’s actions. Their responsibility is to stabilize the victim until EMS arrive, and stay emotionally and physically safe while doing so. We can train farmers and their families to quickly make life-saving decisions, without letting emotions cloud their judgment. Background knowledge of agriculture, combined with training in how to react to an emergency situation, can save lives.

Farming is dangerous. With close to 700 workplace deaths yearly and about 80,000 disabling injuries on farms nationwide, statistics prove that those who work in agriculture are exposed to many risks. Working long hours in adverse conditions, often alone, incidents can happen. Fatigue dulls the senses and slows reaction time, and working around large animals, heavy machinery, chemicals, pesticides and other equipment is dangerous for even the most experienced farmer.

Emergency services are available to respond to a situation as quickly as possible, but rural rescues may be more challenging than in town. Many agricultural incidents happen in isolated locations, such as in fields with limited accessibility. In many rural communities, it may take over 30 minutes for EMS to arrive on-scene. Additionally, EMS rescuers may not be familiar with specific farm dangers such as tractors and machinery, large animals, or chemicals and pesticides.

There are some simple steps you can take to prepare yourself and your family in case of an emergency. It is a good idea to post a sheet near all phones with emergency contact numbers and directions to the farm. This helps give EMS all the information they need to help you. Posting people near roadways to direct rescuers is also a big help. Install and maintain fire extinguishers and first aid kits on your farm. Meet local rescuers by inviting local firefighters and EMS to your farm for a tour and talk to them about your operation. Showing them your farmstead and facilities and teaching them how to shut off tractors, PTOs and other equipment will help prepare them for an emergency situation.

NYCAMH currently offers on-farm fire safety and extinguisher training, and in the near future we will be able to provide first aid and CPR training as well. We can also help you develop a farm emergency plan to ensure that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Migrant or Hispanic workers may not know how to use fire extinguishers, give first aid or call EMS. Be sure and talk with them about what to do in an emergency. NYCAMH can provide you and your workers with emergency and fire safety training as well as printed materials in both English and Spanish.

In addition to this new emergency response program, NYCAMH continues to offer other on-farm trainings to any type of agricultural operation. Topics include tractor and machinery safety, personal protective equipment, chemical safety, personal hygiene, animal handling, and safe lifting and carrying. On-farm safety programs are funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Labor Hazard Abatement Board. If you would like more information about this topic, or wish to schedule a farm safety survey or on-farm safety training session, please contact me at 800-343-7527, ext 291 or email me at ameyerhoff@nycamh.com. These surveys and trainings are offered at no cost and are available in English and Spanish. NYCAMH, a program of Bassett Healthcare, is enhancing agricultural and rural health by preventing and treating occupational injury.