Silver Mountain Resort to host mine rescue competition

KELLOGG — A first responder display for Shoshone County is slated to take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 7 in the parking lot of Silver Mountain Resort. Shoshone Fire District No. 1 and Shoshone Fire District No. 2 will be present to explain their various equipment and vehicles on display. 

A mine rescue competition through Central Mine Rescue is also planned throughout the week. Rescue teams from Hecla Lucky Friday, U.S. Silver Galena, Hecla Greens Creek, Coeur Kensington and Northern Star Pogo will compete for various awards. 

Bryan Stepro, director for Central Mine Rescue, said the event was created as a different way to honor first responders in the mining industry.

The competition helps sharpen each team's knowledge on proper mine rescue protocols. Each mine rescue team will be tested through scenarios that are timed and judged. 

On May 7, teams will take written tests on mine rescue protocols, first aid and technician knowledge.

On May 8, each team will compete in a field scenario, as well as a first aid scenario.

The field scenario starts at 7 a.m. in the parking lot of Silver Mountain. In the past, teams were required to find missing miners, put out mock fires, explore every part of the mine, re-establish ventilation and rescue missing miners.

The first aid scenario starts at 8 a.m. in the water park at Silver Mountain with three-person first aid teams. Multiple victims wearing trauma makeup will act as survivors in a mining accident.

At 8 a.m. May 9, each team will compete in a technician competition and a rope rescue at Noah’s Canteen. Technicians will fix equipment problems while competing for the fastest times.

Awards for overall winner, first aid, technician and ropes are among the awards for top scorers.

    Mining teams will work on rescuing mock victims during the CMR mining recue competition.