3/8/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va.-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, joined by mine disaster victims' families, coal mining
experts, miners, and state leaders together unveiled a one-of-a-kind mine rescue truck today at the State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia.
The Command Unit Rapid Response Task Force 1 and Mine Rescue Truck, is a direct result of last year's Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster.
"I am still saddened by the loss of 29 lives nearly one year ago," Gov. Tomblin said. "The families of the UBB tragedy have said 'Don't let this happen again'. This mine rescue truck is our response to help fulfill that request. We have made sure that it is fully equipped to provide mine rescue teams with the tools needed to greatly improve a mine rescue operation if and when called upon in the future."
The one-of-a-kind vehicle includes features such as:
- Satellite G.P.S. technology for mine mapping, bore hole locating, and gas well detection;
- Multi-station gas chromate-graph technology lab with rapid sample analysis and includes two remote, portable labs that can be deployed for additional sampling requirements;
- Advanced lightening and weather detection up to 300 miles;
- Complete full featured mobile office complex with multiple smart boards and engineering equipment;
- Advanced inter-agency, inter-operable communications with high-speed military-grade satellite link operating with voice over IP and radio over IP;
- Video data recording; and
- Internal and external media presentation.
The primary mission of this mine rescue truck is that it be used proactively as a safety tool. The vehicle will perform mine site evaluations so that the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training can identify baseline atmospheric readings to identify those mines with potential atmospheric problems before an accident.
Southern Community and Technical College's Mine Rescue Task Force 1 technical staff will operate the vehicle in the West Virginia coal fields. The truck will be able to assist with any state or national emergency.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor
304-558-2000