100 W. Washington Street, Suite 1401
Hagerstown, MD 21740 | 240.313.2380
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
                                                          
CONTACT:
Danielle Weaver, Director
Phone: 240-313-2384
GRAIN BIN RESCUE TRAINING WILL BE HOSTED AT HAGERSTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company receives national award to host local training
HAGERSTOWN, MD (August 31, 2018) – Washington County Government is pleased to announce that Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company has received the Nominate Your Fire Department award. This award was given on behalf of Nationwide , in partnership with National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), to recognize fire departments from across the country. Each winning fire department will be provided with specialized bin rescue tubes and training courses. Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company was one of 29 national winners to receive this award and is the only winner from the state of Maryland.

The local Grain Bin Rescue Training will take place on Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Hagerstown Fire Department, 940 Bowman Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740. All first responders are encouraged to attend this important training. 

Dan Neenan, Director of NECAS, will be bringing the training equipment to Hagerstown. A portable grain tank filled with corn will be used along with safety equipment to educate and demonstrate how to properly use the equipment for this life saving training. Through the generous support from Jesse Reeder of Reeder Insurance , The Farm Service Agency of Washington County , Nationwide Insurance Foundation and the Washington County Farm Bureau , this life saving equipment will remain in Washington County and be housed at the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company . This will be the second set of such lifesaving equipment in Washington County. 

“We hope this equipment never needs to be used but, in the event, that something happens we want our first responders to have the equipment available and be properly trained how to use it,” said Matt Schnebly, President of the Washington County Maryland Farm Bureau

Much of the funding for this safety training and the grain bin rescue equipment was obtained from the Nationwide Foundation who holds a contest to raise money for this safety equipment and training. Nationwide is dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities in which a large number of Nationwide members, associates, partners and their families live and work. Since 2000, the Nationwide Foundation has contributed more than $430 million to nonprofit organizations across the country that work to meet crucial needs in communities with a significant presence of Nationwide associates.

For questions related to the training, please contact Jerry Keplinger at 301-667-0073 or Leslie Hart at 301-573-7039. For all other information, please contact Public Relations and Marketing Director Danielle Weaver at 240-313-2384.

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About Washington County, Maryland Government
Washington County, Maryland Government strives to fulfill its duty to the citizens of Washington County with regard to operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and responsiveness to the needs of the community. This vision is used to ably assist the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County in achieving goals for moving the County forward as present needs and future plans are addressed.

According to the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, the Washington County General Fund has one of the lowest costs per capita for services provided of all 23 counties and Baltimore City. This is attributed to the efficiency, staffing levels, and cost containment exhibited in Washington County Government operations. Visit www.washco-md.net for more information.
 
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