One Error Cost 50 Demerits

Issue #35 Spring 2018 One error cost 50 demerits But first team to win Sudbury District ‘did well’ Despite being penalized 50 demerits for its first error, Edmond Poirier thought his team from Levack Mine did pretty good in their mine rescue competition debut – the first Sudbury District Mine Rescue Competition in 1964. “It was a 50-point deduction for going through a charging station without extinguishing our light, our oxygen lamp. Other than that, I think we did well,” said Poirier, now living in Elliot Lake. “Even with that 50-point deduction, the Levack team was able to win the very first competition that Inco (now Vale) held within its own mines. And we also won the second one,” he said, recalling that four or LET’S DO IT AGAIN – The first-ever Sudbury District Mine Rescue Competition champions in five other Inco mines, including Creighton, 1964, the Levack Mine team led by captain Ed Poirier, third from left, pose for a photo. Most of Frood-Stobie and Garson, would have the team returned for a repeat district victory the following year. competed in 1964. in full gear and run them outside for 20 provincial competitions. “I was the captain alright, but the fellows minutes or so,” before training sessions. His only regret in 20-plus years of (Fred Mooney, Ed Luoma, Ken Miron, Mel “I remember going to the provincials volunteer service with Ontario Mine Guse, Bob Nadeau, and R. Glassford) were twice and we didn’t do too well, but we Rescue, said Poirier, is that “I retired too very studious. I had good men working with didn’t shame ourselves either,” said Poirier. soon.” me,” said Poirier, who “would put them Both teams finished third in the subsequent See ‘NOT JUST’ Page 4 90th anniversary plans anyone? Next year, 2019, will mark 90 years of mining community, contributing to making Ideally, suggestions should focus on you, dedicated service to Ontario Mine Rescue OMR a world leader in mine rescue. the volunteer – past and present, and involve by mine rescue volunteers – literally We think that is worthy of recognition. all mining communities in the province, but thousands of men and women over a if you think there’s something that should be So tell us how you think the occasion near-century – committed to the safety and done in one community or for one person, well-being of their co-workers. should be recognized. we still want to hear about it. From the time Austin Neame was All suggestions are welcome, and will be Email your suggestions to: appointed Ontario’s first Mine Rescue considered and evaluated by OMR based [email protected] Officer and opened the first mine rescue on practicality and available resources (staff We’ll update you on some of the station in Timmins in 1929, volunteers have and volunteer time, equipment, and, yes, suggestions, and maybe some plans, in the responded to every call in every Ontario financial cost). Fall/Winter Link Line. P.O. Box 2050, Stn. Main We need you! 690 McKeown Ave. If you have comments about the North Bay, ON P1B 9P1 newsletter, or suggestions for future articles, please contact Ken Sitter PH: (705) 474-7233 at WSN, (705) 474-7233 ext. 234, or FAX: (705) 472-5800 [email protected] www.workplacesafetynorth.ca Pg 2 1995 – Mine rescuer Dave Hay 2002 – Vice-captain Day Hay A competitor for all positions team and they knew I was pretty keen on it. a provincial,” he recalled. “Except for my Hay makes it 24 years So I agreed and it turned out to be a good vice-captain, all the other members were of ‘good memories’ thing.” rookies. We finished fourth. We had a pretty Such a good thing that Hay can’t stop good showing there.” As he entered his 24th consecutive year accumulating good memories, having His favourite position has been as captain in mine rescue competitions, including competed in all the utility positions, vice- because of the added challenge. 15 provincial events as a competitor and captain, captain, briefing officer, and “You have to do . the leading, be several as a judge, Goldcorp Red Lake technician. He wants more. involved in a lot of the decisions, work with Gold Mines’ Dave Hay can still keep the your briefing officer. It challenges all your competition details straight. “Ninety-nine in Thunder Bay was a curious one. We had to cut our way through skills really. You’re in charge of four other His first provincial in 1995? a tunnel set filled with rebar and drill steel individuals down there, and need to get the “It was in Marathon. There was a total with the bolt cutters . There were some work organized and the flow going.” of five missing men. There was a fire in an pretty keen press reporters who were out Twenty-plus years of competition has kept electrical sub underground, I believe. The the first day, and they published the paper Hay abreast of the many changes, equipment first two men we came across were two the next morning with a picture on the and otherwise, in Ontario Mine Rescue. mine rescued-trained men in a fresh air front page of men cutting through with the “When I started we had the flame lamp raise, no injuries, and they had SSR90s with bolt cutters. which you’d have to have a pretty keen eye them,” Hay recalled without hesitation. CONFISCATED NEWSPAPERS to discern the different levels of oxygen and “A geotechnical team took refuge in a methane you’d measure. The CO testers “So there was a big scurry to confiscate vehicle. They were the second two men we were all plungers which are still relevant, but all the newspapers so the teams on the found. The last one was in the electrical today’s electronics are a lot more accurate, second day didn’t see what the scenario was. substation. We had to cut our way through safer.” It provide some humourous moments.” a door to get to him. He was unconscious, And then, communications “was always broken forearm, in contamination.” Coincidentally, that year Hay’s Campbell via Femco phones, we didn’t have the Hay had just joined Ontario Mine Rescue, Mine team won the Special Equipment leaky feeder radios,” he said, and now “just completing his Basic and Standard courses, Award. this past year we just started using tablets when he was approached that year by the In 2001, “they had three fellows in a refuge for the briefing officer and the captain to team at then Placer Dome’s Campbell Mine. station. I believe that was the first time they communicate . so you’d have not only had more than two casualties,” said Hay, voice communications but you could “I questioned them on it ‘Why would transfer data” such as maps and photos. you approach me, I just started?’ I guess noting Campbell Mine won that year. they needed that last person to get on the “2008 was the first year I captained in See ‘COMPETITION’ Page 5 2008 – Captain Dave Hay 2015 – Briefing Officer Dave Hay www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/minerescue www.facebook.com/OntarioMineRescue www.linkedin.com/company/Ontario-Mine-Rescue Pg 3 All in the Mine Rescue Family rägerman Stories, produced and Dreleased by Dräger Safety early this year, brought a passionate response Family branches from Ontario Mine Rescue volunteers, Multiple Generations eager to acknowledge their family’s • Grandfather Mike, father Ron, & contributions to mine rescue. grandson Aaron Boutet Long-time volunteer at Vale, Mike • Grandfather Joe Pacione & Gillis emailed to advise us that the grandson Glen Duffy Gillis family is to Vale, as the Boutet • Grandfather Harold, father Mike, & family is to Glencore, three generations grandson Kurtis Gillis of Ontario Mine Rescue volunteers. Fathers & Sons/Daughters The Boutets are among the OMR • Mine Rescue Officer Walter & volunteers and families featured in Kevin Adler Drägerman Stories. • Ken & Riley Beamish When Mike Gillis joined OMR • Denis & Anne Bilodeau shortly after starting work at INCO • Ernie & Gerry Champagne in 1971 his father Harold had already • Jacques & Guy Champagne been a volunteer for more than 10 • Jack & Joe & Pete Joliet years, having joined in the 1950s. • Craig & Andrew Jorgenson Harold was one of the volunteers from • Roy & Mine Rescue Officer Mike Krell Levack who travelled to Timmins to • Mike & Andre Lefebrve fight the McIntyre Mine Fire in 1965. • Joe & Jim Lundrigan Mike’s son Kurtis followed in his • Stanley & Mitch MacLeod grandfather and father’s footsteps, • Colin & Ryan Pickett working for Vale and volunteering for • Mel & Chief Mine Rescue Officer mine rescue. Shawn Rideout Last fall, Faheema Velji-Shears and • Claude & Andre Timony Scott Shears became the third OMR • Dave & Brad Towle married couple (Congratulations!), • Mike & James Van Roon though unlike Frances and Wilfrid • Bryan & Justin Wilson Machimity, and Lynne and Alex Brothers Thompson, who worked for the same • Retired Mine Rescue Officer John companies, Faheena and Scott work for & Brian Hagan different mining companies. • Jack & Roger Joliet Velji-Shears joined mine rescue at • Joe & Pete Joliet Tahoe Canada’s Bell Creek Complex in • Rob & Rick Ladouceur September, while Shears is a volunteer • Ryan & J.P. Lepage with Goldcorp. Their mine rescue • Doug & Greg Trahan relationship is currently on a ‘mutual Couples+ aid basis,’ though that could change if • Frances & Wilfrid Machimity (and they both decide to compete. nephew Ron) Other volunteers called and emailed • Lynne & Alex Thompson to add their branches to the family tree. • Scott Shears & Faheema Velji- The list of sons following their Shears fathers into mine rescue, and often the Father/Sons-in-Law same company, has also been extended.

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