A rescue team from the U.S. took the top spot at a recent international competition testing its knowledge and skills in emergency scenarios, the Department of Labor announced this week.
The team “Mine Emergency Unit,” representing the DOL's Mine Safety and Health Administration, beat teams from eight countries to win the International Mines Rescue Competition, the DOL announced Wednesday. The biannual event was held Sept. 11-16 at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W. Va., according to the announcement. This month's event was the first in two years after a pandemic-caused hiatus, the DOL reports.
“Mine rescues competitions are demanding tests for highly trained first responders who may face mine emergencies,” Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson said in the announcement. “These events help prepare mine rescuers and ensure that first responders remain safe even as they selflessly risk their lives to save others.”
Multiple highly skilled teams from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Colombia, Finland, India, Poland and Zambia participated in the skills competition. Challenges included simulated emergency situations such as mine fires, roof collapses, rope rescues and other "rescues" to test the teams' knowledge and technical and team skills. The event also provides learning opportunities designed to develop teams' skills and response readiness.
The competition attracted four U.S. teams, five from Canada, three from Australia, India, and Zambia, two from Colombia, and one each from Poland and Finland, the DOL reports. Top finishers included teams from Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Green River, Wyo. This year is the second win for the Mine Emergency Unit team; it also won the first IMRC in 1999. The IMRC was started in response to a 1998 mine accident that killed six miners in Poland, according to the DOL.
“The employees of the Mine Safety and Health Administration are dedicated to supporting the commitment and sacrifice of mine rescuers,” Williamson said in the announcement. “We are very proud that our own Mine Rescue Unit has been recognized as the world champion, and look forward to defending our crown in Colombia in 2024.”
