As an 11-year veteran of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and a member of MSHA’s Mine Emergency Unit since 2007, I have responded to a number of mine fires and explosions around the country, the most disastrous being the Upper Big Branch blast in 2010 that killed 29 coal miners.
I’ve also judged numerous mine rescue contests around the country, intensive exercises that showcase and test first responder skills in a competitive environment. These contests help prepare rescue teams for the next real-life catastrophe that may leave miners injured, trapped or missing underground.