Last week the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), in conjunction with the Tri-State (Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia) Post Number 6 of the Ohio Valley Mine Rescue, held their 2024 Annual Ohio Valley Rescue Contest. The contest was held at the ODNR Mine Safety and Training Center located in Cadiz. During the week, the mine rescue teams also completed written exams as part of the day’s activities. The 2024 competition was viewed by a highly numbered crowd of families, friends, fellow miners, and company officials.
The contest featured 21 rescue teams that included CONSOL Harvey-Blue, Arch Resources-Leer South, CONSOL Bailey-Blue, Coronado Coal-Central App., Alph Met. Res-Southern WV, Arch Resources-Leer Mine, Blackhawk-Blackhawk WV Team, CONSOL Harvey-Grey, CONSOL-Enlow Fork, Arch Beckley-Beckly Complex, Iron Senergy-Cumberland Blue, Ohio County Coal-Black, Alliance-Mettiki Coal, Coronado Coal-Buchanan Black, Arch-Mingo Logan Mount. Laurel, Marion County Coal-Marion Co., Harrison County Coal-Grey, CONSOL Bailey-White, Marshal County Coal-Grey Team, Harrison County Coal-Red, and Alliance-Tunnel Ridge.
The three-day event saw the rescue teams negotiate a maze of rescue problem-solving tasks that only training, preparations, perseverance, and experience could lead to a favorable resolution. To further add difficulty to the rescues, the different locations held risk factors of electricity, water, gas, and roof stability challenges that are normally seen in everyday coal mining.
The rescue problems presented to the miners took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. As fate would have it the forces of nature decided to offer their obstacles to the challenges in the form of tolerating smoldering heat on Tuesday, while rain threatened and sprinkled throughout the day on Wednesday.
“We had a good turnout during this year’s contest,” said Russ Byers – President of Tri-State Post Number Six. “I think that the weather challenged us a little bit, but the rescue teams took it in stride and did a fantastic job of showing their skills in the obstacles that were presented.”
On Thursday, the rescue teams had three different phases of challenges to complete. There was First Aid Testing at one of the locations, Rescue Equipment Testing and problem solving at another, and Pre-Shift Mine Inspections at the third. The three tasks were all being completed simultaneously.
The contest chief judges were Russ Byers – Post 6 and Dave Leverknight – MSHA. The scoreboard examiners were Butch Dyer – ODNR, and Dustin Mowery PA. The Written examiners were Staci Moon – ODNR, Marissa Priest – ODNR, and Shelby Bonner – ODNR. The map examiners were Bill Dean, PA, and Eric Smeak, PA – MSHA. The Field Judge Coordinator was Marissa Priest – ODNR (ret). The appeals committee consisted of Mike Brnich – NIOSH (ret), and Mike Vickers, WV. In charge of lock-up were Marrisa Priest – ODNR, George Priest, and John Boliegh – ODNR.
The registers and recorders were Staci Moon – ODNR, and Janice Barath – MSHA (ret). The Set-up crew was Alan Soltis – ODNR, Gary Garczyk – OVCC (ret), Tanner Lowmaster – PA/RBM, Mike Groff – PA/RBM, and the Initial field set up/escorts ODNR staff. The Superintendents and Judges included Mike Castner – SUP-PA., Don Sulkowski, T. Scott VanCurren – ODNR, Bradly Russian PA, Mike Kosek – ODNR, Nathan Sharp, WV, Tadd Rankin WV, Brian Boskovich – MSHA, Nick Hlopick – MSHA, Sam Stavischeck, WV, Doug Brown, and Brad Wurl – MSHA. Dan Gono, PA, John Crump WV, Jeremy Ball, WV, John Brottish PA, LouAnn Dyer, Tom Morely – MSHA, Jeff McLean – ODNR, Joe Heagney – ODNR, Larry Johnson – MSHA, Becky Newberry – ODNR, Scott Corder – ODNR and Matt Owens PA, Will Altizer WV, Matt McDonald, Matt Simpson, John Gibson – MSHA, Ed Howes – ODNR, James Bowman WV, Mike Doane – ODNR, and Caroline Gerwig – MSHA.
On Thursday evening, the contest Award Presentation Ceremony was held at Undo’s in St. Clairsville. Officiating in the ceremonies were Post Number 6 – President Russ Byers, Chad Kleeh – Secretary Post 6, and Mike Call – Treasurer Post 6. With the attendance of the rescue teams and other event personnel and their families, the facility’s ball room capacity was strained, which was a good problem! Additional tables and chairs were brought in and the existing set up of tables was slightly modified. The evening was very pleasant and cordial. Following a great meal service prepared by the venue, the awards were announced and presented by secretary Kleeh and President Byers. The distribution of the trophies was chronological, and by the three competition days. Here were the results:
Day 1 winners: 1st Place CONSOL Enlow Fork; 2nd Place Harrison County Coal Gray; and 3rd Place CONSOL Bailey White.
Day 2 winners: 1st Place CONSOL Bailey Blue; 2nd Place Marion County Coal – Marion County; and 3rd Place Iron Energy Cumberland Blue.
Combination Awards: 1st Place Harrison County Coal Gray; 2nd Place CONSOL Bailey White; and 3rd Place Iron Energy Cumberland Blue.
Mine Rescue Field: 1st Place CONSOL Enlow Fork; 2nd Place Iron Energy Cumberland Blue; and 3rd place Harrison County Coal Gray.
Pre-Shift: 1st Place Alph Met. Res. Southern WV; CONSOL Bailey Blue; and 3rd Place Harrison County Coal Gray.
Bench Bio 24OR Results: 1st Place Arch Resources Leer Mine; Arch Beckley Beckley Complex; and 3rd Place Alliance Tunnel Ridge.
Bench BG-4 Final: 1st Place Coronado Coal Buchanan Black; 2nd Place CONSOL Harvey gray; and 3rd Place Alpha Res. Southern WV.
First Aid: 1st Place Alpha Met. Res. Southern WV; 2nd Place CONSOL Bailey White; and 3rd Place Blackhawk Blackhawk WV.
“Everything about this contest felt right,” said Byers. “This year the banquet and award ceremony may be breaking records. We may have to move the ceremonies to next year. Some of these awards were so close in choosing the winner, we had to revert to the rules and the parameters that were set for the awards. That’s a testament in itself to the effort these men put into the contest.
I’m so glad everyone was able to come out. I want to take a minute and thank everyone that has helped in making this week the success it was. Also, I want to thank Chad (Kleeh) and Mike (Call) for all of their assistance over the week.
Everyone have a good rest of the night, and drive safely as you go home,” added Byers.
