Three fire brigade teams from Murray Energy will participate in a competition at West Virginia University’s Academy for Mine Training and Energy Technologies on Friday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The simulated mine training facility is located at Dolls Run in Monongalia County.
Teams from The Ohio Valley Coal Company’s Powhatan No. 6 Mine, representing the Eastern division; The American Coal Company’s New Future Mine, representing the Midwestern division; and Utah American Energy Inc.’s West Ridge Mine, representing the Western division, bested 17 other teams of more than 70 miners in their respective regions for the right to compete at the WVU facility.
The contest will consist of three components. The first will be a written examination on the maintenance, care and use of the self-contained breathing apparatus. Contestants will then compete in a physical challenge, in which they will be clad in bunker gear or firefighters clothing and SCBA. Their objective will be to carry, drag and push such objects as hose lines, weighted mannequins and set cribs for measured distances in a timed event. The final exercise will be held in the simulated mine where contestants will be in SCBAs in a smoke-filled environment. Their objective is to locate and extinguish a live fire with the appropriate fire protection equipment.
“Historically, uncontrolled mine fire has been the one of the leading causes of coal mine fatalities,” said Joshua Caldwell, an extension agent with WVU’s Department of Mining and Industrial Extension. “Fire brigades are not required by law at a mine, but Murray Energy invests a substantial amount of money, time, training and effort into its teams. While Murray Energy is not the only company to have fire brigade teams at their mines, this type of inter-company competition is unique and we look forward to hosting them at our facility.”
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CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon
304-293-4086; mary.dillon@mail.wvu.edu