Mine rescue and first aid teams in Tumbler Ridge recognized at provincial competition

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Mine rescue and first aid teams based in the Peace River region received several awards in an annual regional and provincial competition. 

In a June 10th Facebook post, the British Columbia North Central South Mine Rescue Safety Association published the results for the 2025 BC North Central South Zones Mine Rescue Competition.

The competition was held at the Britannia Mine Museum north of Vancouver, and featured team and individual challenges surrounding simulated rescues, written assessments and a six-person first aid scenario.

According to a July 8th press release, Conuma Resources’ six-person surface mine rescue and three-person first aid teams celebrated some success in the June 7th contest. 

While the surface mine rescue team failed to qualify for the provincial competition, the team did receive task awards including best rope task, best field task and best aggregate bench and written tasks.

The first aid team won first place at the competition, securing a position in the provincial level of competition, where they ultimately finished third.

The team also received awards for best captain, best written and best spare written.

“Our mine rescue teams exemplify the very best of who we are, not just through their impressive performance at competitions, but in the way they show up for our communities,” Svend Nielsen, the health and emergency response director at Conuma Resources, said. 

Through mutual aid agreements with the districts of Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd, as well as standing offers of support with the BC Wildfire Service, the rescue teams are also available to respond to local emergency events. 

The mine rescue team helped to tackle a structure fire in Tumbler Ridge on June 7th and a wildfire in May near Tumbler Ridge.