Mine rescue 2.0: Strengthening mine rescue communications

Ontario Mine Rescue partnered with industrial-technology company Focus FS in 2015 to develop an under-oxygen, digital mine rescue system that fully digitizes incident information collected during Mine Rescue events. Operating on ruggedized tablets, the system replaces paper-based maps, equipment and oxygen checks, and general note taking while enhancing underground to surface communication among Briefing Officers, Captains, and Mine Rescue Officers. The system was launched in 2016 at the International Mines Rescue Competition with one of the Team Captains referring to the system as a “game changer in mine rescue”. The presentation provides an overview of the system, key findings from mine rescue system deployments to-date, and the steps necessary to launch a digital mine rescue initiative. Focus FS were joined by personnel from Ontario Mine Rescue for the presentation.