Training & education
The Fortescue Solomon mine rescue team getting some valuable firefighting practice in leading up to summer at the Mining Emergency Response Competition.
MERC competitors do their best to prepare for the worst AS MINE SITES ARE OFTEN IN REMOTE AREAS, THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS LIKE BUSHFIRES IS POTENTIALLY HIGHER AND HELP IS USUALLY A LOT FURTHER AWAY. SALOMAE HASELGROVE WRITES.
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fter Australia’s tough start to the summer bushfire season, mining and other work sites are taking it upon themselves to prepare for the worst if it unfortunately happens. With workers often hundreds of kilometres from a hospital, or deep underground, knowing first aid skills and how to react in an emergency situation is vital. The ninth annual Mining Emergency Response Competition (MERC) ran concurrently with the Bushfire Games for the first time in November, giving teams a chance to improve
their firefighting skills. It also focussed on the more familiar mine risks, including first aid, hazardous materials, confined space rescue, vertical rescue, road crash rescue and team readiness. MERC attracted a large crowd of spectators at Langley Park in Perth to watch the 14 volunteer emergency response teams compete fiercely while improving their skills. Chief adjudicator Richard Crawford, from Fortescue Metal Group’s Christmas Creek operation, says the firefighting scenario is always a crowd favourite at the event, making it great to
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have the Bushfire Games happening at the same time. “This year’s firefighting scenario really pressed the teams,” Crawford tells Safe to Work. “Multiple fires were lit and fought over a 15 to 20-minute period and teams wearing breathing apparatus’ were required to demonstrate hose and branch management whilst attending totwo casualties. “Of the 14 teams that competed in this event, I can say that every member finished with a solid bead of sweat across their forehead and a smile across their face.”
