Training arms team with skills to respond to any emergency

A fire is roaring up the side of a shipping container as the team approaches with caution.

The heat from the flames intensifies with every step.

Fortunately for the Emergency Response Team (ERT) at McArthur River Mine, this is a training exercise but with fire season approaching, they know this scenario could very well become a reality.

That’s why training is so important.

When an emergency hits the operation, it’s the employees who are responsible for jumping to action.

The ERT across the zinc and lead operation are made up of volunteers and regular training days help ensure the team are prepared to tackle any situation.

“There’s very high-risk activity in mining and there could be an emergency at any time,” Principal-Emergency Response at MRM, Geoff McCumstie says.

Geoff was recently appointed Principal-Emergency Response and Safety Projects.

He’s returned to the role after a hiatus for a number of years while fulfilling other positions within MRM.

Geoff has combined experience in the Emergency response field of more than 20 years.

So, the team is in safe hands under his experienced leadership.

The training scenarios are designed to equip the team of more than 20 people with the skills they need to react to a real-life situation should it appear.

This includes basic fire skills like connecting hoses, using hand signals to communicate, building entry and structure breaching, and the use of fire extinguishers.

“This training is important because we need to continually update skills,” Geoff says.

“We’re prepared for pretty much anything that could happen on a mine.”

With a minimum of one training day a month for each member, the employees are prepared for situations across fire, vertical rescue, confided space, hazardous space and road crash rescue.

But why is it so important for the ERT to be armed with the tools to respond to an emergency?

With the nearest fully equipped emergency services located in Katherine, almost seven hours away by road, and aeromedical assistance an hour flight from site, the ERT are site's first responders.

The remote location of the site provides challenges.

“If we need extra back-up, it is a distance away but we’re lucky to have 10-15 team members on site at any one time,” Geoff says.

“With state services hours away, we need the team on site for an immediate response.”

Fortunately for the operation, this highly skilled group are prepared to provide immediate assistance.

They’re equipped to tackle any situation and it’s largely thanks to their training.