Information Circular 6063: Mine Rescue Organization in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District, Idaho
'The: Coeur atateng' mining region of Taahs, eae Aetnse number of properties. employing several thousand persons
Public-domain full text preserved in the Mountain Man Mining Library. Original source: archive.org.
Circular No. 6063 March, 1928. .
Information Circular
Department Of Bureau Of Wt Omiqess
MIWE RESCUB ORGANIZATION In TH COBUR 4 ALE MINING DISTRICT, IDAHO™ By We. d. Fone aid. 'Hugh McDermott "Introduction
'The: Coeur atateng' mining region of Taahs, eae Aetnse number of properties. employing several thousand persons, operated 'with heavy tonnage for over 20 years with almost total immunity from undetground fires until thé mining companies felt that the fire hazard, in the underground workings at least, was negligible. The mines work both ore and country rock whichare singularly free from combustible material, and spontaneous combustion involving vein or wall material is practi¢c- ally, if not wholly, unkmown. Moreover, underground rock and water temperatures in general have been remarkably low, and-even in the most poorly ventilated places with maximum heat from moving stopes or wall material or from oxidation of crushes ing timber the temperatures have been less than 90° and usually less than 80°. On the other hand, much heavy timbering has been necessary in several mines, and in some instances there has. been considerable crushing of timber. The mines, at least in the upper workings, have gradually become dry, and there has been free use of open lights, smoking, and various kinds of electrical equipment, wiring, etce, which, unless adequately safeguarded, together with the extensive va nene - give almost ideal conditions for mine fires to start and spread.
As previously stated, there had been singular immunity fcc anderercund fires for some years, and not until after the disastrous fire in the North Butte mine, Butte, Mont., in 1917 was there any considerable amount of apprehension regarding fires in the mines of the Coeur d'Alene.' However, between 1917 and 1923 there were several rather serious fires in the larger mines of the region, and the fire hazard was ae definitely to the atroneson the A of that region.
As a "result of a concerted meyenant: among the Gocus d'Alene mine operators, a mine rescue organization was perfected and a'mine rescue station established under the direction of K. 1., Sparks, engineer of United States Bureau of Mines mine rescue car Noe 9. Mr. Sparks was ace appointed director of the station, a position he still retains.
1 - This article is not subject to copyri ant. rere ress with customary acknowledgment to the Bureau of Mines, will be welcomed.
2 - Associate mining engineer, U. S. Bureau of Mines.
3 - Foreman miner, U. S. Bureau of Mines.
Inf.Cir.No. 6063.
The Coeur d'Alene Mine Rescue Station is maintained by the members of the Operators! Association who contribute to a general fund at the rate of 5 cents — per ton of ore mined; an agent appointed by the mine operators administers this fund. By this arrangement the cost of maintaining the station is distributed according to the output of each mine.
The rescue equipment of the Coeur d'Alene district forms one of the most complete installations in the United States. No expense has been spared to make it complete, and it represents an investment of about $35,000.
Housing Facilities.
After considering the facts that most of the mines to be served were located on a railroad and that the use of a,truck was not feasible during the winter months, due to deep snows, it was decided that the apparatus and supplies should be housed in a railroad car, and a former Bureau of Mines rescue car was purchased for this purpose. The car was equipped to suit local conditions and has living quarters for a small crew. This rescue car, which forms the nucleus of the central mine rescue station for the district, is stationed in Wallace, near the center of the district, where a special engine is available at all times to take the car to the scene of a mine disaster.
Equipment
As most of the rescue men in the district were more familiar with the Paul oxygen breathing-apparatus than any other type and there is also available' much. Paul equipment in Butte which could be obtained with little lapse of time in an emergency, this apparatus was selected as standard for the district. Fourteen sets of Paul apparatus are carried on the car, with a supply of oxygen, oxygen pumps, regenerating material, gas masks, self-rescuers, life line, inhalators, gas-testing apparatus, specially designed water nozzles, and accessory firefighting equipment.
Rescues Stations Located at Mines ©
Besides the central mine rescue station at Wallace five companies have complete stations located at the mines. All of these stations are equipped with o to 15 sets of apparatus and an ample supply of spare parts, oxygen pumps, and regenerating material. <At three of these mines four sets of apparatus are kept underground at points where they may be readily reached in case of a fire. These apparatus are placed in steel cabinets where an electric lamp is always kept burning to keep the air dry and so prevent.moisture from causing the apparatus to deteriorate. There is also placed in these mines a number of self-rescuers at points where they may readily be reached. If a large mine fire occurs in the district all of the equipment at each of the mine stations, as well as the equipment from the rescue car, a total of 99 sets of apparatus, could be concentrated in one place in a very short time. The location and types of oxygen-breathing apparatus and accessories are given in the subjoined table.
Inf.Cir.No. 6063.
draining of Rescue Men
"The rescue crews are serieeeed: fron fue: re engineers, oilers, mining engineers, foreman, shift bosses, electricians, pipemen, timbermen, and miners. In selecting mine rescue men from the different works around the mine, there are always available men who can do any kind of work necessary underground during a mine fire. Also there is always kept trained a crew of surface men familiar with the underground workings,who may serve if the underground crews are trapped.
' (he men are trained in groups of five for a period of three months at three-week intervals, receiving 16 hours of actual training. After the first course of training is completed the men are given additional practice with the . apparatus one afternoon each month for an indefinite period. About 200 men in the district are in active training at all times.
The men are released from their regular work for the training and practice periods and receive their regular compensation. Several mines pay their rescue men a bonus of 25 cents per shift over their regular scale of wages, which results in there always being a demand for places on the rescue teams. When engaged in actual fire fighting or rescue work the men are paid a bombs of $5.00 per day over pone recular wages.
In conjunction with the mine rescue frateine a certain amount of first-aid training is also given, especial attention being paid methods of artificial respiration. During the visits of a Bureau of Mines car to the district, first~ aid classes are held, and the mine rescue men are examined and recommended for purest. Mines certificates.
'Infomation circular, Bureau of Mines, Department of Commerce.
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