By MARY L. KIRBY

Eighty-nine firefighters from across northeast Texas attended the 20th Annual Farm Rescue School, hosted by the Bettie Volunteer Fire Department, Saturday.

The school was conducted by the Texas Engineering Extension Service, which is part of the Texas A&M University System, and the Upshur County Firefighters Association.

Longhorn Smokehouse catered the event and R&J Rescue Service of Elkhart furnished some of the rescue equipment used in the tractor rollover extraction.

Champion EMS reviewed the victim extraction techniques.

Participants were members of volunteer, paid or part-paid departments of cities and industries who want the latest training in rescue skills relating to farm machinery and equipment. Firefighters came from all over northeast Texas.

The training allows firefighters to keep abreast of new opportunities and developments in the fire service and learn the most current farm rescue methods.

After a lecture, video and slide presentation outlining the hazards associated with farm- and agriculture-related equipment and facilities in the morning, the firefighters went outside for ag-rescue classes with hands-on training with farm rescue and safety precautions on working displays of a variety of farm machinery.

Topics covered included:

Patient packaging/victim extrication, which qualified for Texas Emergency Medical Services CE credit, airbags, hydraulics, mowers, augers, round and square bailers, overturned tractors, PTO accidents, and ICS.

Participants received a completion certificate.