Mine safety training incorporates friendly competition
WTOV Steubenville
By Jon Rudder
June 5, 2013
See Competition Photos
The training taking place at the Cadiz industrial park Monday and Tuesday was not only to increase efficiency for the mine workers but it also allows them to engage in some friendly competition with the other rescue units participating. The mine rescue workers honed skills that they'll hopefully never actually have to use.
"I think it helps a lot, especially when you do the smoke training," said Mike Doane, a briefing officer for the Hopedale Mine Rescue team. "I mean everyone is competing to win, but also everyone is in it together, if something happens we'll all be working together."
Among the teams participating in the training and the competition was a crew from Hopedale. Doane has been a part of the mine rescue team for seven years. The training is designed to be as realistic as possible so that the rescue miners will be prepared for any obstacles they could potentially face during a rescue mission.
"The rules sometimes seem a little bit abstract for what they do as far as real mining," minerescue coordinator Ron Glasgow said. "Once you get into an actually recovery situation like we had in in Blacksville, the rules all of the sudden apply. There's a reason why you explore systematically."
Being able to practice these skills in real competition scenariousis what pays dividends when on a real rescue.
"I guess it would really help in case of a disaster," Doane said. "A lot of the CONSOL guys got a lot of help here recently with the fire and stuff. I'm sure all of their training came back to help."
Miners from as far away as Alabama participated in the training and despite working in intense smoke and going through important ventilation procedures, there was something unique about the experience.
"The camaraderie just between the coal mines and everything is great. We're all in this together," Doane said.
Many families were also there to watch the training taking place. The mine rescue workers will continue their drills into tomorrow and the event will end with a family dinner celebration.
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