CARLSBAD, N.M. - EM’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) mine rescue teams won first place in several categories of the recent Southwest Regional Mine Rescue competition in Carlsbad.
The WIPP Red Team took first place in the overall competition and in the field and first-aid battles. The WIPP Blue Team took third place in the field competition. Both teams tied in the team technician portion of the contest with the Red Team winning in a time-based tiebreaker. WIPP team trainer Richard “Stik" West was awarded first place in the team trainer competition. The Blue Team is the defending Mine Rescue National Champions.
“We are extremely proud of our mine rescue teams." said Bruce Covert, president and project manager for Nuclear Waste Partnership, the WIPP management and operations contractor. “It’s comforting to know that these professionals are well trained and ready to jump in to help if we have an underground emergency."
The first-aid portion involved finding, treating, and rescuing trapped or injured individuals. The field portion consisted of exploring a simulated mine, monitoring the underground air for gases, mapping the mine to keep members informed of obstacles and routes, rescuing survivors, and reestablishing ventilation. Another part of the competition was to maintain a fresh air base that serves as a communication and command center for the team. The teams’ performance supports the continued commitment by mine rescue individuals to ensure emergency preparedness capabilities at the WIPP facility.
At WIPP and most other mines, employees serve on the mine rescue teams as volunteers. The teams are composed of hoisting supervisors, mechanics, waste handlers, mining operators, and other occupations. Teams practice and prepare for the day they are called to a real emergency. These volunteers devote countless hours honing their skills before and after work.
Mine rescue teams participate in several competitions each year to sharpen their skills, share lessons learned, and continually raise the level of mine safety. In real emergencies, the lives of mine rescue team members and their coworkers depend on the proficiency of each individual’s skill and training.
Red Team members included Ty Zimmerly, Lance Turnbow, Mathew Carnathan, Mathew Ridgeway, Mark Long, Hank Miller, and Tony Mihelic. Blue Team members included Misty Long, Manny Marquez, Jeff Ortega, Nico Dominguez, Robert Lucas, Ed Keyser, Gary Kessler, and Colton Ridgeway.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
