RescueTechs, LLC

08/16/2026

Working with a great crew from Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company, we provided a farm rescue demonstration at this year's Ag Progress Days.

Agricultural Emergency Rescue Demonstration at the Russell Larson Agricultural Research Center in Rock Springs.

08/07/2026

The NIOSH LODD report for the Searsmont Maine silo explosion in May of this year has been posted on their website. Please take the time to read the report.

REPORT LINK: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/programs/pdfs/f202607.pdf

REPORT SLIDES:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/programs/pdfs/f202607RS.pdf

07/31/2026

Silo fires and emergencies pose unique risks to emergency responders. Is your department trained to deal with these types of calls? For more information, go to https://rescuetechs.com/silo/ . In addition to our fire programs, we now offer a technical-level silo rescue program - contact us for details.

07/18/2026

This picture was shared to us and was taken yesterday (7/17/26) in Franklin County, PA. It serves as a good reminder of the dangers of toxic gases. (This was chopped haylage.)

Freshly chopped forage will produce toxic gases. This is primarily nitrogen dioxide this time of year but can vary based on time of year and product.

For farmers, please remember and respect the hazards and for more safety information please check out the International Silo Association and AgSafety4u.

For emergency responders, please be using appropriate PPE, including SCBA, and assure air monitoring is in place.

06/15/2026

This was the first day of practicals. Crews return next Saturday for another day of scenarios next Saturday. Thank you for all the work so far!

06/08/2026

This past weekend our instructor teams conducted two classes. There was a grain bin rescue tech-level refresher for numerous departments in Perry County, PA, and a tractor-machinery rescue program for Cornwall VFC and their mutual aid in Litchfield County, Connecticut. We thank all the students for all their hard work and efforts throughout both programs.

Note: all scenarios were extensively debriefed and any concerns were noted.

05/25/2026

RescueTechs is pleased to announce several new training programs that are now available!

*SILO RESCUE (TECHNICAL LEVEL) – This is an intensive 16-hour training program designed to prepare responders for rescues from tower silos found on farms.
*GRAIN BIN RESCUE REFRESHER PROGRAMS (Awareness (4-hours) or Technical (8 hours) Levels) – The programs are intended to provide responders with opportunity to review skills and updates on emerging trends in these types of scenarios.
*POULTRY BARN FIRES – A four-hour classroom presentation on construction, tactical response considerations, and water supply operations.

For information on these or any of our other course offerings, please contact us. (https://rescuetechs.com/contact/rescuetechs-course-inquiry-form/)

05/22/2026

We are now scheduling classes for the second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027. Let us know how we can help your department meet you training objectives. Check out our website for more information (www.rescuetechs.com).

04/29/2026

As spring forage chopping is underway here in the mid-Atlantic, there is an increased risk of silo fires. While these fires are usually confined to the unloading chutes, remember that the fire may not be the only concern.

Freshly chopped forage will produce toxic gases. This is primarily nitrogen dioxide this time of year but can vary based on time of year and product.

This morning in western Berks County PA we encountered both fire and gas in a silo just filled with ryelage.

For farmers, please remember and respect the hazards and for more safety information please check out the International Silo Association.

For emergency responders, please be using appropriate PPE, including SCBA, and assure air monitoring is in place.

04/05/2026