Local mine rescue team wins national competition

(Wayne Stafford, Class of '74 and Jackie Repass, Class of '71)

Entering a coal mine is a dangerous undertaking in the best of circumstances. Going in to rescue other miners when the roof is unstable, poisonous gases are palpable, and thick, black smoke shrouds visibility can be a deadly mission.

It is a mission, however, for which many miners volunteer in order to try and safeguard the lives of fellow workers.

Training to become a member of a mine rescue team is also very demanding, but Peabody Energy's Southern Appalachia Operations team met the challenge and recently won the National Mine Rescue Competition during the international conference in Nashville, Tenn., according to Harvey Ferrell, trainer.

Fifty-seven teams competed, participating in first aid competitions as well as working to solve mine rescue problems, Ferrell explained.

Team members are required to participate in at least four hours training each month and competitions keep their skills honed.

Additionally, rescue teams are called upon to assist in real-life mine emergencies — the most recent for this team was the Aracoma disaster.

Prior to this year, the average age of the local team members was about 54, Ferrell explained. Then, younger members – with an average age of about 27 — were added to the team.

"They're basically a novice team," Ferrell emphasized, noting they had performed exceptionally well to win the national competition.

"Team members take classes in techniques for entering mines following explosions, cave-ins and other accidents," Ferrell said. "They also receive in-depth training with regard to mine maps and ventilation procedures and the use of auxiliary mine rescue equipment.

"Mine rescue teams are highly proficient in their work and take great pride in their skills.

"It is highly dangerous work, because they can never be sure if there will be explosions or cave-ins after they enter a mine. There could be poisonous gases that will kill them in seconds. Each member is equipped with a special breathing apparatus and other safety gear.

"Once suited up, a rescue worker's equipment load pushes 50 pounds, with a cap-light, battery and belt with tools.

"Additional equipment includes testers to detect methane, oxygen, carbon monoxide and other various poisonous and noxious gasses. If the atmosphere is found to be breathable in places, the 4-hour oxygen supply will last for a 6- to 8-hour shift.

"The torturous footing involves anything from mud and water to downed timbers and roof falls.

"Sometimes the atmosphere resembles that of another planet, with poisonous amounts of carbon monoxide and explosive layers of methane," Ferrell emphasized.

"As a part of their training, teams from different mines and companies and from different states compete for championships and trophies," he said. "These contests are highly competitive as the teams try to solve problems assigned to them by the contest officials.

"In West Virginia, there are currently 14 mine rescue teams," Ferrell noted. "For competition purposes these teams are composed of up to 8 team members consisting of 5 working team members, a briefing officer, and 2 alternates."

Contests are divided into different modules, including mine rescue, first aid, bench, pre-shift and EMT. The pre-shift tests the skills of mine foremen in performing pre-shift examinations, he explained.

Bench men do maintenance and repair on the portable oxygen devices worn by rescue teams.

"Their part of a contest is to diagnose and repair two breathing apparatuses in 30 minutes, while judges and co-workers watch intently," Ferrell said. "It takes full concentration and a little bit of an athlete's luck to find them all, do repairs and do it fast enough to win.

"How well and how fast bench men can test and maintain a breathing apparatus is at the heart of every mine rescue operation. As team members return from their shift, the self-contained, regenerative, oxygen-breathing apparatuses, including all of their various components, must be tested and must be made ready to be used once more."