Department for Natural Resources
Hazard Mine Rescue Team Wins Statewide Competition

Energy and Environmental Cabinet Deputy Secretary Hank List presented the winning plaque to the Hazard District Office Rescue Team in the first annual Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL) interagency mine rescue contest.   The statewide competition took place on the 23-acre OMSL mine rescue field in Pikeville.

The district office teams from Pikeville, Madisonville and Hazard vied for the statewide title after winning regional contests.  OMSL has six district offices, each manned by experienced rescue teams.  Harlan, Barbourville and Martin district offices participated in the earlier events.  Hazard team members are David Mullins, Bob Banks, T.K. Hays, Mike Eldridge, Rodney Eversole, Randy Campbell, Gary Fugate, Leon Mullins, Daniel Bentley and Jeff Brock.

These contests prepare OMSL mine rescue personnel with training for command center and mine rescue operations in order to respond to major mining disasters that may occur.

“I am very pleased with the progress that our six mine rescue districts have made.  Our goal is to remain vigilant and always ready to react when Kentucky coal miners are missing and to provide mine rescue services to Kentucky’s coal industry,” said Johnny Greene, executive director of the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing.

“I commend these men on their rescue skills and commitment to mine safety.  Our goal continues to be that of ensuring that Kentucky’s mines are the safest in the nation.   These rescue teams are crucial in saving lives when accidents do occur,” added Carl Campbell, commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources.