Wilpinjong was closely followed by runners-up – Glencore’s Ulan West Team 1.

The inaugural event was based on a number of scenarios where teams were required to work together with limited equipment and little or no external medical assistance.

Teams were judged on how well they responded to, and the level of proficiency with which they administered first aid. There was also a theory component.

Competition was fierce with little separating first and fifth place, according to Western Mines Rescue regional manager Brian Kelly.

“It’s a significant event for the mines here because it gives mines rescue brigadesmen, surface emergency response teams and general first aid officers the chance to test their skills in high-pressure scenarios that simulate real-life incidents,” he said.

“It extends the theory learnt in the classroom to a more realistic, practical application.”

Mines Rescue has been conducting various safety training courses for both underground and open cut mines in the area for more than 20 years. The competition was the first of its kind to be held in the region and recognises an ongoing commitment to the needs of the mining industry, its workers and the communities in which they live and work, Kelly said.

“Coal Services works hard to deliver on our purpose, ‘to protect’ through our proactive risk management and injury prevention services such as safety and first aid training; health surveillance services conducted by CS Health; the dust, gas, and other hazard monitoring services provided by Coal Mines Technical Services,” he said.

“Our Mines Rescue response services also play a critical role in the event of an emergency. Injury management and return to work strategies are also developed by Coal Mines Insurance if an employee in the coal mining industry is injured.

Moolarben Coal general manager Steve Archinal said the mine’s nearest Mines Rescue station was in Lithgow, so in the event of an emergency or incident, mines personnel needed to be ready to respond to any event in the district.

“This was the first time that we have been involved in a competition and I think every team has taken something away from the experience,” he said.