North Dakota Offers New Farm Safety Training for First Responders and Farmers

Local emergency crews and agricultural workers invited to attend free RF-DASH program in New Rockford

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:00am

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North Dakota State University Extension has partnered with the National Farm Medicine Center to offer the Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health (RF-DASH) train-the-trainer program in North Dakota. The free two-day training will take place on March 21 in New Rockford, with an in-person farm session scheduled later. Local first responders, farmers, and community members are invited to register and learn about improving emergency response and preventing agriculture-related injuries.

Why it matters

Agriculture is a critical industry in North Dakota, but it is also one of the most dangerous, with workers several times more likely to die or be seriously injured on the job compared to the average U.S. worker. This new training program aims to equip rural emergency responders with farm-specific first aid knowledge and safety consultation capabilities to assist in emergency responses and prevent injuries and fatalities on farms and ranches.

The details

The RF-DASH training will cover five key modules: introduction to common farm emergencies, preplanning and mapping farm hazards, farm hazard analysis, farm first aid, and strategies for engaging the farming community. Participants will learn to use the free 'Farm-MAPPER' tool to pre-plan and map local farms, identifying key hazards and access points to expedite emergency response times. The training will be led by Eddy County Extension, Emergency Management, and the Carrington Fire Department.

  • The classroom training will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • An in-person farm training session will be scheduled during the classroom training.

The players

North Dakota State University Extension

A statewide organization that provides research-based information and education to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across North Dakota.

National Farm Medicine Center

A research and outreach center focused on improving the health and safety of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers.

Michelle Gilley

Eddy County Extension Agent, leading the training in New Rockford.

Lisa Thompson

Eddy County Emergency Manager, participating in the training.

Ken Wangen

Carrington Fire Chief, leading the training in New Rockford.

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What they’re saying

“In North Dakota, we have a fantastic network of Extension agents, rural firefighters, ambulance squads, and county emergency managers. These professionals are community members and trusted sources of information that farmers, ranchers, and their families listen to when it comes to addressing hazards regarding health and safety on their farm operation.”

— Angie Johnson, NDSU Extension farm and ranch safety specialist

“They would know exactly where the propane was if there was ever a leak, or exactly where the main power switch is if they needed to turn that off.”

— Lisa Thompson, Eddy County Emergency Manager

What’s next

The in-person farm training session will be scheduled during the March 21 classroom training, and the last day to register for the free program is Monday, March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

This new training program is a critical step in improving farm safety and emergency response in North Dakota's agricultural communities, providing first responders and farmers with the knowledge and tools to prevent injuries and save lives on the farm.