Each fall, manure pit agitation and pump-outs create one of the deadliest hazards on any livestock operation. This session covers the specific gases – including hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia, and carbon dioxide – produced during agitation and why they are so dangerous even in brief exposures, why strict perimeter security and the removal of all people and animals from the area is non-negotiable during pump-outs, and why fire and rescue departments cannot safely enter a pit environment without Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) gear – and what that means for response capabilities and timelines if something goes wrong.