November 10, 2019 - Mine Rescue Day is on October 30. The International Mines Rescue Competition will be held in Beckley, West Virginia next September.

Mine Rescue Day - Below is a message from MSHA celebrating our Mine Rescue Teams. An important part of mining history are the men and women who selflessly serve on the Mine Rescue Teams. There are approximately 300 Mine Rescue Teams serving and protecting the mines in the USA. October 30th is Mine Rescue Day. This day was selected by the Department of Labor's Mine Health and Safety Administration because of its historical significance. On October 30, 1911 the first national mine rescue demonstration was held at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, PA. It was organized by Joseph A. Holmes, who was appointed by President Taft as the first director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Holmes and President Taft attended this inaugural event. On Mine Rescue Day, October 30, we want to recognize and honor these courageous volunteers who put their lives on the line in the face of fire, toxic gases, explosions, water inundation and other treacherous mine emergency conditions so that other miners may live and return to their families. Please share this message with our Mine Rescue Heroes.

IMRC - Every 2 years for past 20 years there has been an International Mines Rescue Competition held in different countries around the world. The last one was in Russia in 2018. The 2020 contest will be in Beckley at the MSHA Training Academy. They expect to have 25 international teams plus 5 US teams: 2 from Coal, 2 from MNM and 1 MSHA Team. The international teams will be from many countries including Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Ireland, Canada and China. This big event which includes an opening ceremony will run from September 12-18, 2020. Holmes Mine Rescue Association and MSHA are hosting the competition which will include Mine Rescue, First Aid, Fire Fighting, Rope Rescue and Mine Rescue Skills. A website should be fully activated by end of November.