Local departments participate in farm tractor emergency training

More than a dozen members from four area fire departments took part in a safety-training program called “Managing Farm Tractor and Machinery Emergencies,” taught over the weekend.

The two-day workshop started in a classroom setting Friday at Burr Oak Fire Department and continued Saturday with hands-on exercises at a location in Sturgis Township.

Event organizer Jeremy Smallwood, a captain with Burr Oak Fire and Rescue, said the St. Joseph County program was one of six presented statewide by instructors from Saginaw-based Emergency Services Rescue Training.

Participants were from fire/rescue agencies in Burr Oak, Mendon, Colon and Tri-Township. Scenarios included responding to a tractor rollover, farm-equipment entanglement, and general tractor and machinery incidents.