July 2, 2022 - The Alabama Mining Association (AMA) Thursday announced the results of the inaugural Alabama Surface Mine First Responder Competition, which was held earlier this month at the Alabama Fire College’s world-class facility in Tuscaloosa.

The event consisted of six teams participating in two days of training followed by two days of competition and was hosted by the Alabama Mine Safety & Training Foundation, a 501c(3) organization established by AMA. The intense, highly realistic competition was developed with assistance from the Florida Mine Safety Program and was modeled after the Florida Mine Safety Program’s Surface Mining Emergency Response Training and Competition.

AMA plans on the emergency response training and mine rescue competition becoming an annual event that highlights the 21st century mining industry’s core commitment to safety and the communities in which modern Alabama mining companies operate. The goal is for the event to serve as a cutting-edge opportunity to learn and practice life-saving skills and safety leadership principles.

Winners of the inaugural Alabama Surface Mine First Responder Competition were as follows:

Best Overall Team

Argos

Field Competition

1st – Argos

2nd – Carmeuse – Grey Team

3rd – Carmeuse – Blue Team

First Aid Competition

1st – Carmeuse – Grey Team

2nd – Carmeuse – Blue Team

3rd – Argos

“The Alabama Mining Association is excited by the incredible success of the inaugural Alabama Surface Mine First Responder Competition,” said Patrick Cagle, president of AMA. “This is a fun and challenging way to prepare for an emergency situation and reinforce the critical importance of practicing safety each and every day at the work site. Alabama’s 21st century mining industry is built on safety and sustainability, and our member companies take tremendous pride in continually staying at the forefront of best practices that keep mining employees, contractors, and communities safe. Moving forward, we believe that this annual event will help develop even more safety leaders throughout Alabama’s mining industry. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all of the hardworking men and women across Alabama who display their commitment to mine safety 24/7.”

AMA extends its sincere gratitude to the participants, judges, and partners who made the Alabama Surface Mine First Responder Competition possible, including the Alabama Fire College and lead instructors David Brazier and Phillip Porter.

Learn more about the Alabama Surface Mine First Responder Competition here.