for the first time in history the
department of mines minerals energy the
state of virginia
started a mine rescue team a team of
eight virginia department of vines
minerals and energy inspectors emergency
managers and technical specialists will
serve as the backup mine rescue team to
all underground minds in the
commonwealth it lets them know that
that we're right here on the front lines
and that we care about them and their
health and safety it's a specialized job
within the mining industry that requires
these men to rescue minors or others
trapped or injured underground in such
scenarios as roof falls floods
explosions or other disasters
training is continuous they make annual
visits to every mine to become familiar
with the travel ways and where safe
areas are should there be an emergency
they spend time learning the equipment
they will rely on should the air not be
breathable when responding
and most importantly they do these
things together everything we do
together just helps us build that team
relationship not only are all team
members experienced in mind rescue
they'll have the support of the entire
agency from securing funding to helping
with training and providing the best
equipment
the mine safety and health
administration requires each mine site
have a primary mine rescue team to
respond and a backup recent decline in
coal production has left some companies
without the funds needed to operate the
backup team
that's when the virginia department of
mines minerals and energy decided to
provide this service in virginia our
goal is to keep our
companies working and being productive
viable operations it'll provide us
a good incentive for companies to keep
doing business in virginia because this
is a service that you know if we weren't
providing for them they'd have to find
some other way to provide it can be very
costly in these difficult financial
times
and as the agency responsible for the
safety of virginia's miners those
involved say they're proud to serve
working with these guys
on the team here at dmme and the guys
from the
companies out in the field it's just a
big honor to me i enjoy doing it we got
to be the ones that are going into the
to the burning building and not the one
that's running out it's no greater love
than this than a man that would lay down
his life for his friends