The Bureau of Mines and Mine Safety oversees one composite state Mine Rescue Team, and contracts with other private teams throughout the state to provide the required two team coverage for the four Indiana underground coal mines. The state composite team consists of dedicated volunteers from Sunrise coal Company’s Oaktown Fuels #1 and #2 mines, Gibson County Coal’s Gibson South Mine, and Peabody Midwest Mining’s Francisco Mine. (Sunrise Coal Has 2 mines)
The State of Indiana has a fully equipped mine rescue station located at Vincennes University under the supervision of the Indiana Bureau of Mines. This Mine Rescue Station is housed in a mobile mine rescue van that is prepared to service all mine rescue equipment. The van is equipped to outfit and maintain two mine rescue teams.
Other Mine Rescue of Indiana
There are three more private mine rescue teams in Indiana: Sunrise Coal’s Mine Rescue Team, Gibson County Coal’s Rescue Rhinos, and Peabody Midwest Mining’s Francisco Mine Rescue Team. Each of these teams would be ready to assist the other Indiana teams in the event of an emergency. The Indiana state composite and contract teams would likewise assist these teams if necessary to save lives. Mine rescue work is demanding and dangerous, but it is capably staffed by brave and skillful volunteers in Indiana.
Indiana Bureau of Mines has consolidated some Suggestions and Considerations for mines in developing their own Emergency Response Plans.
Requirements
To comply with federal regulations, teams are required to have 96 hours of training annually. Training included mine scenario disasters, working in smoke, fighting fires, hose management, maintenance of breathing apparatuses, Hilti gun training, and CPR, first aid, and hazards of blood pathogen transfer in emergency situations. The team meets monthly to service equipment and for training updates.