According to the Department of Environmental Protection, the new station, which is also a training facility, now makes the state compliant with federal regulations that mandate mine rescue teams be located within one hour of all underground mines in a region. The previous response time was two hours.
"The new Marion Center Mine Rescue Station provides space for mine rescue equipment and training and dramatically improves response times for rescue crews serving underground mines in the northern bituminous coalfields," Environmental Protection secretary John Hanger said.
"This is the latest of several significant improvements to mine safety in Pennsylvania, including the purchase of new, state-of-the-art mine rescue equipment and passage of historic legislation that updates our 125-year-old bituminous mine safety law."
The facility, about 90 minutes north of Pittsburgh, will train and equip mine rescue teams that will be responsible for six counties, home to 15 underground mines.
The new 5000-square-foot office will house a mine rescue vehicle and rescue equipment, including 26 self-contained breathing units for emergencies. The station will be staffed by two full-time employees.
The DEP’s other mine rescue stations are in Ebensburg, Cambria County (bituminous); Tremont, Schuylkill County (anthracite); and Uniontown, Fayette County (bituminous), and service non-coal mines as well.
"The new Marion Center Mine Rescue Station enhances the commonwealth's nationally recognized mine safety program at a time when mines are employing new technologies to meet increased worldwide demand for Pennsylvania coal," Hanger said.
"Coal mining remains a cornerstone of our economy, but while we all want our mining industry to be successful, the safety of the miners and the wellbeing of their families must be assured."
