As the fall harvest season ramps up, rural roads across Wisconsin—and right here in our community—are seeing more slow-moving farm equipment. While this is a sign of agricultural productivity, it also brings increased risk for roadway accidents.
According to the Wisconsin State Farmer, farm vehicles often travel at speeds of 18–26 mph, creating dangerous speed differentials with regular traffic. In 2024, Wisconsin saw 153 crashes involving farm equipment, many due to inattentive driving and poor visibility.
Lund Fire Department Prepares for the Worst
This month, the Lund Fire Department conducted car extrication training, simulating crash scenarios. These drills help our firefighters stay sharp and ready to respond when seconds count.
Whether it’s a rollover, a rear-end collision, or a side-impact crash with a forage wagon, our team is trained to safely remove victims from vehicles and coordinate with EMS for rapid care.
Safety Tips for Drivers
We urge all motorists to take extra precautions during harvest season:
- Slow down when approaching farm equipment.
- Avoid passing unless it’s clearly safe and legal.
- Stay alert for wide turns and hand signals.
- Be patient—a few extra minutes could save a life.
Farmers can also help by ensuring their equipment is well-lit and marked with reflective tape or SMV (slow-moving vehicle) emblems.
Working Together for Safety
Brad Olson of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau said it best:
“All motorists share the goal of returning home safe to their families.”
Let’s make that goal a reality. The Lund Fire Department is ready to respond—but with your help, we can prevent accidents before they happen.
About the Lund Fire District: The Lund Fire Department is a volunteer fire department dedicated to protecting the residents of Pepin Township, Maiden Rock Township, Stockholm Township and the Village of Stockholm. With a team of highly trained professionals, the department offers fire protection, rescue services, and emergency medical response support. The department is committed to community outreach and education, ensuring that everyone has the knowledge and resources to stay safe.
About the Lund Fire Fund: The Lund Fire Fund was established to address the growing needs of the all-volunteer Lund Fire District. Our mission is to assist local fire fighters and emergency response teams in the Lund Fire District by providing essential equipment, advanced training, and other critical resources that they require to respond to emergencies swiftly and efficiently.
You can donate to our cause by using our donation page or contacting us directly.
Lund Fire District 