Sharpening safety skills

This annual competition provides an opportunity for people in the mining industry in B.C. to put safety into practice

After a decade of the BC Mine Rescue & First Aid Competition being held in other communities, this year’s competition took place in Revelstoke. Designed to mimic real-life situations and test skills in first aid, extrication, firefighting and rope work, as well as general mine rescue knowledge, this year's event—which was held June 11, 2011—also included a boat accident and car-over-the-bank rescue.

Revelstoke mayor David Raven said the overall experience went very well and the event itself has become very professional and well managed. 

Community participation

The BC Mine Rescue & First Aid Competition is not necessarily a spectator event, although folks did come out to watch and some even participated. A number of Revelstoke city councillors—with a bit of special effects makeup—were victims for the teams to rescue. There were also some fire demonstrations, which involved the local fire department working closely with the event organizers. 

The annual competition is supported by the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and allows members and participants to share knowledge, skills and experiences. Keeping up with consistent standards in training and application makes the B.C. mining industry a model for the world when it comes to health and safety.

The annual awards banquet was well attended, with over 450 people enjoying the evening’s festivities.

Raven is proud of his City staff, as well as the organizers and participants in this year's event; in fact, the BC Mine Rescue & First Aid Competition will be held for a second consecutive year in Revelstoke in 2012.  

This bodes well for the community of Revelstoke as it transitions from a resource-based economy into a resort economy. During the three-day event, some businesses noticed a slight increase in sales as participants bought work clothes and other safety items.

The next big competition in the mining industry is the Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition Tenth Biennial; it takes place September 9 and 10 in Fernie, B.C. This brings together participants from Western Canada and the northwestern United States.

Winners of the 2011 Provincial Mine Rescue & First Aid Competition

THREE PERSON MINERS’ FIRST AID COMPETITION

Three Person Miners’ First Aid Competition
* Quinsam Coal Corporation

Kathy Lofstrom Memorial Trophy (Best Coach for Three Person First Aid)
* Matt Vooro - Quinsam Coal Corporation

OPEN PIT MINE RESCUE

Ron Brow Memorial Award (Best Extraction for Surface Team)
* Huckleberry Mines Ltd.

Maurice Boisse Memorial Trophy (Best Bench for Surface Team)
* Teck Coal - Elkview Operations

HVC Highest Non-Aggregate Points Trophy
* Huckleberry Mines Ltd.

Overall Surface Mine Rescue Trophy
* Teck Coal - Elkview Operations

UNDERGROUND MINE RESCUE

Best Branch Technician Trophy
* Kevin Mihalicz - New Afton - New Gold Inc.

USWA Mine-Mill Trophy (Best Underground Coordinator)
* Peter Prochotsky - New Afton - New Gold Inc.

Sullivan Cup (Best First-Aid by Underground Team)
* Myra Falls Operation - NVI Mining Ltd.

Barry Abbott Memorial Trophy (Best Bench for Underground Team)
* New Afton - New Gold Inc.

Keith Bracewell Memorial Award (Best Obstacle and Recovery)
* New Afton - New Gold Inc.

Overall Underground Mine Rescue Trophy
* New Afton - New Gold Inc.