“Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork”: Miners convene for competition at SIC

Mine rescue field exercises, firefighting and even a written test were on the agenda for the 12 teams of miners competing in the fourth annual Mine Rescue Skills Competition at Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg on Tuesday.

Competitors from Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky faced tests designed by seasoned miners during the daylong event, which is aimed at increasing safety and preparedness for emergencies that could occur underground. Participants were scored based on speed and accuracy, and points were docked for mistakes, such as turning their back to a fire.

"This is meant to sharpen their skills and altogether assist them in becoming better prepared," said Karen Weiss, dean for career and technical education at SIC. "It's a good day of training." Weiss said participants will also compete in first aid, air and hose management, and responding to smoke and gas.

Bill Chubb is the superintendent of the mine service station in Harrisburg, and he said preparedness is key in an emergency.

"This is all to sharpen your skills. We hope we never have to use these skills, but we have to be ready," Chubb said.

One miner from the Maryan Foresight Energy mine, Kevin German, said the skills he has practiced as a participant in the past three competitions at SIC have helped him in the field.

"The training is intense, and I've been in mine rescue for six years. Each year the competition gets better," said German, who has been a miner for 10 years.

In addition to voluntary training competitions, like at SIC, that help keep miners in practice, the state and federal government requires miners to participate in a minimum of eight hours of training per year. Most miners participate in 10 to 20 hours, said Mike Thomas, dean of workforce education for Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. But that was not always the case.

Thomas said when he started as a miner at the Old Ben coal mine in 1973, he received zero training. He got lost his first day underground. Now, Thomas stresses training for miners.

"You have to do it, and do it, and do it," Thomas said. "We train everywhere. And this is going on in all states, not just Illinois."

The competitive edge of SIC's event doesn't hurt, he added.

"It doesn't matter if these guys are playing softball on a Sunday afternoon. They want to win," Thomas said. "And there's a good incentive here."

The key to winning the trophy is teamwork, said trainer Tim Kirkpatrick, who trained a total of six teams participating in the competition.

"My goal with my guys is teamwork, teamwork, teamwork," Kirkpatrick said. "They care about their company, and they want to be at work. They're fighting for their jobs. If there's a fire underground, no one goes work."

The competition continues Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at SIC.