Farm safety is good business

Regina, Saskatchewan, March 2, 2006 – In conjunction with Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and St. John Ambulance are launching the sixth annual First Aid on the Farm program to increase awareness about farm safety and reduce the impact of farm injuries on families in rural Canada.

On average, 115 people are killed and another 1,500 are seriously injured by farm-related incidents in Canada each year.

Between March 9 and June 9, people in rural communities will learn farm safety awareness and basic first aid skills by participating in First Aid on the Farm clinics across the country. Saskatchewan participants will learn critical skills, including how to control severe bleeding and how to help someone choking or not breathing.

Colin Cruickshank, former FCC Account Manager, managed to save his own life about a year after receiving training with his customers in the program. “I started having severe back pains. After 15 minutes or so, the pain moved into my chest and arms. I had difficulty breathing and I was perspiring. Thanks to my First Aid on the Farm training, I recognized what was happening and called 911. I arrived at the hospital with minutes to spare. As suspected, I was having a heart attack. I would not have survived without the first aid training. Not all situations are going to be as serious as mine, but it’s important to be educated and prepared.”

FCC is passionate about promoting and enhancing farm safety in rural Canada. First Aid on the Farm is part of FCC’s ongoing commitment to raise awareness about rural safety issues and improve farm safety in the communities we serve.

“Safety awareness combined with first aid training reduces the impact of injuries on people and farm operations. Effective safety solutions contribute to long-term success,” says Clem Samson, FCC Vice-President of Prairie Operations.

Since 2001, about 6,000 students have received first aid training through hundreds of clinics across Canada. Initially, training was limited to elementary school students. Over the past two years, the program has expanded to include 4-H clubs, FCC customers and community groups.

“First aid and safety training significantly reduces the number of injuries in Canada. The First Aid on the Farm program helps make farms safer and equips families with skills to respond in an emergency,” says Les Johnson, Director of Training, St. John Ambulance National Office.

St. John Ambulance is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that has provided training and community service to Canadians since 1883. Every year, St. John Ambulance teaches first aid, CPR and health promotion to more than 500,000 Canadians and provides millions of hours of voluntary community service.

FCC is Canada’s largest provider of business and financial solutions to farms and agribusiness. Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. A healthy portfolio of $11 billion and 12 consecutive years of portfolio growth are a reflection of our customers' success.

For more information about agricultural safety, visit www.casa-acsa.ca or www.cfa-fca.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Leanna Jenkins
Corporate Communication (English)
Farm Credit Canada
(306) 780-6987

Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit
Corporate Communication (Bilingual)
Farm Credit Canada
(306) 780-8630