MCC/KCA Mine Rescue Contest Held April 11
MCC/KCA MINE RESCUE CONTEST HELD APRIL 11Madisonville Community College (MCC) hosted the Kentucky Coal Academy (KCA) Mine Rescue Contest on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at its Mine Emergency Response Academy (MERA) located at 150 School Avenue in Madisonville. Nine teams representing Alliance, Peabody Midwest Mining, and Prosperity Mining participated in the contest. The MCC/KCA skills contest is unique because it provides hands-on training skills for mine rescue teams. The facilities at MCC are equipped with an underground mine simulator that can hold a live burn and smoke simulation in almost real mine conditions. Mine rescue team members love the work and train hands-on method with their equipment, stated Danny Knott, MCC Mine Rescue Training Director.
Competition events included mine rescue emergency scenario, firefighting, smoke, fire hose management, first aid, written tests, gas instruments calibration, and breathing apparatus test. Rick Caskey of MCC s Mine Fire Brigade program noted, Even though the rain fell during the contest, it did not dampen the spirit of competition. Every team displayed a concerted effort to complete the task at hand, some to the point of exhaustion. Camaraderie still rules in the mining community.
Awards were presented to:
1st Place Peabody Midwest Mining Francisco Mine Captain Matt Kamman
2nd Place Alliance Coal Gibson Co. Mine Rescue Rhinos Captain Zack Brown
3rd Place Alliance Coal Riverview Mine Captain John Tow
A special thank you to United Central, MEMSCO, Hibbs Electric, and Warrior Coal LLC for sponsoring the event.
