Top mine rescue teams put to the test in upcoming provincial showdown
Ontario’s mine rescue teams are once again facing off in the 2025 Ontario Mine Rescue District Competition running May 7th to 9th. In five different arenas across the province, these specialized volunteers have a new chance to demonstrate their emergency response abilities.
Headed by industry professionals at Ontario Mine Rescue (OMR), teams of mine rescue volunteers end their training cycle by participating in the competition season from May to June. They must complete a knowledge evaluation before being entering a simulated emergency, where they put their first aid, firefighting, teamwork and emergency equipment skills to the test. Not only are the competitions a learning opportunity for mine rescuers, but it ensures volunteers from each mine are meeting the same standards.
“Every year we aim to create a scenario that is as realistic as possible,” says Shawn Rideout, Chief Mine Rescue Officer at Workplace Safety North, “it’s a window into the intense emergencies volunteers will see on the mine site, and we use their competition performance to improve how they make critical decisions under stress.”
While firefighting and first aid training are staples of mine rescue, volunteers also receive rope rescue, auto extrication, structural collapse, and equipment maintenance training. However, the problems competitors will face remains a secret until they’re on the competition floor – which maintains a fair playing field when comparing their real-time decision-making and adaptability.
District competitions are open to the public and media to witness these highly trained teams in action. Competitions will take place in:
- Red Lake & Thunder Bay districts – Memorial Sports Centre,
Town of Fort Frances- Thunder Bay, May 7
- Red Lake, May 8
- Algoma District – Michipicoten Memorial CC, Wawa, May 7-8
- Southern District – Eastlink Arena, Clinton, May 7-8
- Sudbury & Onaping districts – Dr. Edgar Leclair Arena, Azilda
- Sudbury District, May 7
- Onaping District, May 8
- Timmins & Kirkland Lake districts – Archie Dillon Sportsplex,
Timmins- Timmins, May 7
- Kirkland Lake, May 8
The winner of each district will compete in the 2025 Provincial Competition, June 3rd to 5th, at Glencore Kidd Operations in Timmins.
OMR, a part of Workplace Safety North (WSN), operates under the authority of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Headquartered in Sudbury, the industry professionals at OMR staff, equip, and maintain a network of mine rescue stations across the province that ensure mines within a specified geographic area are prepared for any emergency.
Active for over 8 decades, OMR delivers training to mine rescue responders, provides consultations, conducts audits, ensures WSN-owned equipment is maintained to manufacturers’ recommended standards, and provides technical consultations to mine operators during mine emergencies.
For more information, visit the OMR competition webpage.