Underground Mines Rescue Training
Round 6 has now been completed here at the station with the CAREvent open circuit oxygen therapy unit as the primary focus. Good attendance was recorded on most training days.
Preparation is underway for the first round of 2018 to be hosted at the station. The underground mines rescue coordinators meeting was also conducted in November with Trainer Darren Prince facilitating the review of the year and planning for 2018.
Surface Rescue Challenge
The Surface Rescue Challenges have been completed at New Acland Mine in the southern region and the Northern Region being held at the QMRS Blackwater Station.
Seven teams completed in the Southern Region Challenge with New Acland placing first, Meandu Mine Second and Commodore Mine Third. Many thanks to Grant McDonald for his work behind the scenes facilitating a great event that is going from strength to strength. Congratulations also to the management team at Acland for allowing the event to be hosted at their operation and supplying patients, assessors as well showcasing the mine.
The Northern Rescue Challenge was the first to be held since 2013 and with 3 active teams as well as the interest from operations that attended the challenge – it will be bigger and better next year. Millennium Mine placed first with New Acland second and Oaky Surface operations third. A huge thank you to Mike Walker, David Booth and Tom Wood for the work conducted in the organising of the challenge. Without their diligence and commitment the events would not have been the success that they were.
Looking ahead to the 2018 challenges, planning is well underway. If there are any questions, please contact Mark Freeman on 0419 791 601 or mfreeman@qmrs.com.au.
Open Cut Emergency Response Training
Open Cut skills maintenance training continues this month at Dawson, Oaky Creek, Yarrabee, Millennium and Kestrel. Sessions at present are confined space, Hazmat and Road Crash Rescue.
Recruit courses have been conducted for firefighting at Blair Athol Mine with courses in road crash rescue held at Millennium, Dawson and Oaky Surface mines.
There is a growing call for multi mine recruit training where there are not numbers to facilitate a course such as topping up the existing mines rescue members. If you would like information on options and dates please contact Mark Freeman on 0419 791 601 or mfreeman@qmrs.com.au.