Training rescuers and farmers to reduce farm accident
deaths and improve emergency response.
Welcome to the RuralRescue Community! Our goal is to promote a working relationship between fire, rescue and agricultural communities, and facilitate education and communication between them. As these three components work together, we will develop an increased awareness and cooperation that will translate into lives saved during an emergency.
__________
Registration Form (Click here)
__________
There is a fee of $30 per student for the Awareness Course (6 EMS credits) or $200 for the Awareness & Operations Course combination (20 EMS credits). The registration form may be printed and mailed. The Awareness Course may be started at any time, just follow the links. If you are planning to attend a MAARS Operations Course, you should start this Awareness Course as soon as possible, it is required before attending the Operations Course.
__________
MAARS Awareness Course
There are several sections that make up the MAARS Awareness Course. Each section consists of a web-based lesson and a short quiz. After the nine sections, a final exam completes the course. A certificate of completion will be sent to the student on completion of the course and the final exam. The MAARS Awareness Course is pre-approved in Michigan for 6 EMS credits.
Awareness Course Topics
The Awareness Course is completed as a self-study program. Arrangements can be made
for those without internet service.
| Awareness Topics | |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Animal Emergencies |
| Farm Accident Management | Ag. Chemicals |
| Incident Management System | Rescue Tools |
| Agricultural Structures | Case Studies |
| Tractors & Machinery | Journals, quizzes, exam |
Operations Level Course
The Operations Level Course is a 2-day, hands-on practical course for rescuers. The activities include an ag-hazards farm tour, tabletop exercises and extensive scenario-based practical evolutions. Scenarios are recreations of actual farm accidents in Michigan. An Operations Course can be set up for any agency in Michigan. Check the course calendar for a list of scheduled courses. We hope to see you there!
Photos of Operations Level Training **NEW**
Request info on setting up a MAARS Operations Course at your location
Target Audience
The ultimate end-users of the MAARS program are the men and women who respond to farm accidents in Michigan, or anywhere in the country. This included professional and volunteer rescuers, firefighters, EMS and Law Enforcement personnel, and farm families who are likely to be the first on the scene. These rescuers are called upon to assist the victim even though they may have no previous experience with farm machinery or knowledge of common agricultural practices. There are no required training programs that arm rescuers with knowledge of the hazards to expect on a typical farm. These facts illustrate the need to prepare rescuers for accidents associated with the most dangerous industry in the country.
Thesis
Agriculture is the one of the largest and most dangerous industries in our state (and the nation), response to emergencies on farms requires awareness of many unique hazards. Most emergency workers that respond to farm accidents are volunteers that work in rural areas and have full-time non-EMS jobs, thus limiting their time availability for additional training. Given these facts, this training program was developed to targets these rural, volunteer rescuers. The goal of the MAARS training is to improve their awareness of agricultural accident hazards and rescue techniques. This information is presented in a self-study, internet based method that will allow the target audience to review the data at their convenience.