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NMRA and Veterans Issues Committee Special Report |
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Mine Fire Brigades |
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Issue Number 1, May 1994 |
Final Report |
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Chairman’s
Message Major Issues What is a Fire Brigade?
Fire Fighting Strategy
Training Management
Appendix
Issues Committee
Donald Huntley, Chairman, James Banfield, Tom Blaskovich, Gerry Davis, Wayne H. Duerr, John Gallick, Joe Garcia, Ronald Keaton, John G. Kovac, Jeffery H. Kravitz, Joseph Kruetsberger, Richard Macheskey, David L. Mahlke, Don Mitchell, William Parisi, Robert Peluso, Larry Peters, Joseph A. Sbaffoni, Robert Schmidt, William Schlaupitz, Joe Spiker, Carl Trickett, Pete Turcic, Roger Uhazie Jr., Walter Vicinelly
Chairman’s Message
The use of oxygen breathing apparatus to fight mine fires has traditionally been performed by mine rescue teams following well established procedures. During recent years, it has become fairly common for Fire Brigades to be organized at mines. A Fire Brigade is a team of volunteer miners, who are specially trained and equipped to fight underground mine fires. This is a new idea that is gaining favor in the mining industry.
In 1992, the NMRA and Veterans took upon themselves the task of developing practical recommendations for the use of Fire Brigades in mine emergencies, because the work performed and procedures followed by Fire Brigades closely resembles and may infringe upon mine rescue team activities. To accomplish this mission in a timely manner, an Issues Committee was formed. This 1994 Special Report summarizes the findings of the Issues Committee.
The Issues Committee suggests that the NMRA and Veterans accept fire brigades at mines because:
- Fire brigades are already established at some mines and are not regulated.
- The fire fighting capability of mines where they are established appears to be much improved.
- The mining community appears to favor or at least accept the concept with some reservations.
- Brigade members will be capable fire fighters, who will respond early with personal protection against most hazards that they are likely to encounter.
- Regulations do not require mine rescue teams to be trained or specially equipped to fight fires.
Today, the situation is that Fire Brigades are neither certified nor regulated. The Issues Committee believes that Fire Brigades should remain the option of industry. The NMRA and Veterans do not have the authority to regulate, but both groups have a responsibility to the industry to evaluate new ideas and suggestions.
The selection and training of Fire Brigade members, as well as the equipment provided and procedures followed varies significantly from mine to mine. Therefore, the Issues Committee developed the following guidelines for selection, training, equipping, and work performance of Fire Brigades. It is important to explain that only Fire Brigades are addressed in this report, but it is not the Committee’s intention to discourage other procedures to insure early extinguishment of fires.
As Chairman, I would like to thank the members of the Issues Committee for their participation and contributions.
Don Huntley, Chairman
May, 1994
Major Issues
Today, Fire Brigades are neither certified nor regulated. Both the NMRA and Veterans believe that Fire Brigades should be an option of the industry.
Part of the responsibility of the NMRA and Veterans is to address those issues which are important not only to its members, but also to the entire mining industry. In September 1992, an Issues Committee was formed, and charged with task of arriving at sincere, sensible and unbiased recommendations regarding Fire Brigades. The Issues Committee met ten times. Diligent effort, research and numerous hours were devoted by dedicated individuals to arrive at various decisions and conclusions that are in the best interest of the entire industry.
The Issues Committee has identified some of the major issues that define guidelines for Fire Brigades. These issues are listed below:
- What is a Fire Brigade?
- Fire Fighting
- Training
- Management
- Strategy
What is a Fire Brigade?
- First Responders are on-the-job miners who first encounter a fire underground.
- A Fire Brigade is the Second Responder to a fire emergency.
- A Fire Brigade is made up of miners:
- Who work at the mine.
- Who are volunteers.
- Who have been specially equipped and trained to fight mine fires.
- A Fire Brigade’s job is to fight mine fires.
- A Fire Brigade is not a Mine Rescue Team.
Fire Fighting
- Fire Zone - An area immediately surrounding a fire where there is flame, smoke or hazardous gases.
- Fire Brigade members can enter the fire zone, only if they are properly trained and equipped.
- Trained - has received basic fire training.
- Equipped - NFPA1/ MSHA approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and NFPA approved fire fighting clothing (coat and pants or coveralls, protective hood, gloves).
- Two or more brigade members can enter the fire zone provided that:
- Lifeline - The brigade members who enter a fire zone should carry a hose line to act as their lifeline.
- Back-up - At least two properly trained and equipped brigade members should be stationed outside the fire zone for back-up.
- Fire Brigade activities should generally be restricted to attacking the fire directly and to limited efforts to prevent its spread.
- A Fire Brigade can be directed to make ventilation changes that only affect the fire zone, such as, line brattice and check curtains to direct available air to facilitate the direct attack.
Notes:
1. National Fire Protection Association
Training
- All Fire Brigade members should pass the mine rescue physical examination or its equivalent. In addition, fitness standards for Fire Brigades should ideally meet those of the NFPA.
- A Fire Brigade should be instructed in the operation of all fire fighting equipment and systems that they are expected to use.
- A Fire Brigade should receive a minimum of sixteen (16) hours of initial fire fighting training.
- Moreover, a Fire Brigade should receive an additional thirty-two (32) hours of training each year:
- 8 hours will include the wearing of the SCBA
- 8 hours will include practice with the fire fighting equipment available at the mine
- Training should be conducted by a person knowledgeable by reason of education, training and experience in fire fighting.
- Training should be supplemented by in-mine practice.
- An operator should keep up-to-date records on his Fire Brigade, regarding membership, current physicals, training and practice.
Management
- The operator should have a practical mine emergency management plan for Fire Brigades that answers the following kinds of questions:
- Who are the First and Second Responders when a mine fire occurs?
- When will a Fire Brigade be called?
- What is the chain of command in the event of an emergency?
- When will a Mine Rescue Team be called?
- The management plan should be based on the Mine Emergency Command System1, which is already endorsed by the NMRA.
- Operators should consider creating mutual aid agreements for supplementing their Fire Brigades.
Notes:
1. See "NMRA and Veterans Issue Committee Special Report: Mine Emergency Management," 1994.
Strategy
In order to make the best use of a Fire Brigade, an operator should have a program in place that considers these factors:
- How many fire fighters are available?
- What is their level of equipment and training?
- How much hands-on experience do they have?
- What are the circumstances at the mine?
- What is the nature and severity of the fire emergency?
Appendix
National Mine Rescue Association
MSHA
RR 1, Box 736
Hunker, PA 15639
724-925-5150 X 147
Mine Rescue Veterans Of The Pittsburgh District
Box 354
Elmora, PA 15737
814-948-6062
National Fire Protection Association
1 Batterymarch Park
P.O. Box 9101
Quincy, MA 02269-9102
617-770-3300