Mine rescue and first aid competition
Last updated on December 4, 2023Provincial mine rescue and first aid competitions are annual events since the 1900s. The competition brings together mine rescue teams to test their emergency response abilities.
The Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (the Code) requires all mines in B.C to have emergency response capabilities. The B.C. mining industry is a worldwide model for health and safety practices.
The ministry supports the competition to ensure mine rescue competence. Enabling mines to maintain training and procedures in the event of an emergency.
Competition categories
The mine rescue and first aid competition tests teams knowledge of the Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual in three main categories:
Three person first aid
- Demonstration of basic first aid in a simulated emergency
Surface mine rescue
- Extrication
- Rope
- Practical Bench
- First Aid
- Written Exam
Underground mine rescue
- Obstacle and Recovery
- Donning Bench
- Fire Fighting
- Practical Bench
- First Aid
- Written Exam
Western Region Mine Rescue Competition, hosted biennially by the City of Fernie, B.C.
2023 competition results
Three person first aid competition
| Trophy | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Three Person First Aid Trophy | Best three person team | Copper Mountain |
| Kathy Lofstrom Memorial Trophy | Best coach for three person team | Copper Mountain |
Surface mine rescue
| Trophy | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Ron Brow Memorial Trophy | Best extrication | Mount Milligan |
| Maurice Boisse Memorial Trophy | Best bench | Greenhills |
| East Kootenay Mines Industrial Safety Association Trophy | Best written | Fording River |
| East Kootenay Mines Industrial Safety Association Mine Rescue Memorial Trophy | Best rope team task | Highland Valley Copper |
| North South Central First Aid Trophy | Best first aid | Gibraltar |
| Levitt-Safety Fire Trophy | Best fire | Highland Valley Copper |
| HVC Highest Non-Aggregate Points Trophy | Highest points (non-aggregate) | Highland Valley Copper |
| Overall Surface Mine Rescue Winner | Highest aggregate (best overall) | Highland Valley Copper |
Underground mine rescue
| Trophy | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Best Bench Technician Trophy | Best bench technician | Brandon Moe |
| USWA Mine Mill Trophy | Best underground coordinator | Red Chris |
| Richard Booth Award | Best written | Myra Falls |
| Sullivan Cup | Best first aid | Red Chris |
| Barry Abbott Memorial Trophy | Best underground practical bench skills | Red Chris |
| Best Performance in Underground Smoke | Best smoke | New Afton |
| Keith Bracewell Memorial Award | Best obstacle and recovery | Myra Falls |
| Levitt-Safety Fire Trophy | Best fire | Red Chris |
| Overall Underground Mine Rescue Winner | Highest score (best overall team) | Red Chris |
Chief Inspector's award
| Trophy | Winner |
|---|---|
| Chief Inspector's Award for Exemplary Fire and Mine Rescue Service | Myra Falls |
The 65th Provincial Mine Rescue & First Aid Competition took place in Williams Lake in June 2023.