Mine rescue exercises held in LaSalle

Three companies took part in a mine rescue exercise May 7 at the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing. They each had to deal with a scenario on how to rescue an injured person and put out a fire below ground.

The Mine Rescue Office was in Windsor-Essex County last week testing mines from around the area on their rescue techniques.

“It’s a mine rescue competition we run,” said April Belecque, who is from the Mine Rescue Office’s (MRO) Kirkland Lake district. “We host this annually.”

Mine workers are evaluated on provincial standards and the MRO is a emergency response service that specializes in underground rescue. Belecque said that unlike emergency responders on the surface, the MRO is called out less frequently and they have to ensure mine staff are up to speed on proper techniques.

The exercise helps identify needs and training gaps that have to be overcome, she indicated. It lasts three to four hours, Belecque added and the most recent mine rescue exercise took place May 7 at the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing.

The scenario saw each of the three teams have to seal off an old mine, treat an injured person in the mine and bring them safely to the surface and put out an underground fire.

All of the teams did a good job, though they all had their own ways of completing the exercise. They were graded and awards were presented at a Friday night awards dinner, held May 8.

Each of the three teams had roughly ten members each and a coach, Belecque added. She said the competition was done all in one day and all the participants found out the scenario when they arrived.

Mine rescue exercises held in LaSalle

By Ron Giofu