Local teams among winners in mine-rescue competition

NEWS/ BUSINESS — After an intense and energetic competition, seven teams claimed victory on the weekend at the 59th annual Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition in Smithers.

Teams from two Kamloops-area mines were among the winners.

Mine enthusiasts, family and friends gathered in Smithers on Saturday to watch nine mine rescue and eight first aid teams challenged by rope rescue rigging, complex industrial hazards and dynamic smoke and fire tasks.

Teams are comprised of those working at B.C. mines with backgrounds in firefighting, emergency response and high-angle rescue, and often also lend their rescue expertise to their local communities.

The competition is divided into three categories: Surface, Underground and Three Person First Aid and features life-like simulations that test skills in firefighting, first aid, rope rescue, extrication and general mine rescue knowledge.

The Mutual Aid Scramble returned for its second year as a part of the competition, mixing the teams in a trial designed to test teamwork and co-operation. The ability to adapt to working together is important if mining emergency responders are called to provide a multiple resource rescue effort.

The winning team captained by Delainy Barry, Peace River Coal, consisted of members from Highland Valley Copper, New Gold Inc. New Afton, Huckleberry Mines, Greenhills Operations, Quinsam Coal Corporation.

Major Category Competition Winners:

Three Person First Aid – Huckleberry Mines.

Surface Mine Rescue – Gibraltar Mines, Elkview Operations, Highland Valley Copper (highest non-aggregate points trophy).

Underground Mine Rescue – Quinsam Coal, New Gold Inc. New Afton, Nystar-Myra Falls.