Whilst 2020 has been a year that most will happily confine to history, you will see from the below articles that QMRS has continued to grow our services and improve our capabilities, equipment and products despite the adversities faced.
 
2021 will see completion of the mobile emergency winder project that is being funded by Anglo American, major progress on the new rescue and response stations, particularly Boonal and despite the best efforts of Covid we will be hosting the International Mines Rescue Body conference, all be it in a virtual format. Whilst many of the activities of a physical conference cannot be replicated virtually, the platform we have chosen to utilise is spectacular and will surprise most people (it won’t be a Zoom meeting). In addition, the cost benefit of a virtual conference should allow attendance by most mines rescue personnel with an interest in doing so! More on that in the new year.
 
I will let the managers tell the stories of the last quarter / year and just say that this is a very special organisation that continues to grow its influence in the mining industry and with the plans now in place for the next 5 years we are just 111 years into the beginning.
 
Merry Xmas to all.

David Carey
CEO QMRS

Team Member Representative - Shaun Dando
 

As the year 2020 draws to a close, I will take the opportunity to reflect on what for me has been a year of many emotions including tragedy, admiration, sadness, frustration, and hope.
 
On the afternoon of May 6th, an ignition of methane gas on the Longwall 104 face at Grosvenor Coal Mine resulted in serious injuries to five work mates, and a significant effect on many others who were involved. As I have previously written, the actions taken by the injured men and all those that responded, transported, and treated them was outstanding, considering the situation they were faced with on that day. All coal mine workers underground evacuated to the surface, and were accounted for in a timely manner, which is a tribute to the leadership shown by many. The effect of this incident and the subsequent events on those involved will last a lifetime, and it is imperative that we never forget. While we cannot change what has occurred, as an industry we have a responsibility to learn from and implement change to try and prevent these events occurring in the future.
 
In June, QMRS lost Business Manager Ramsay Wells in a tragic car accident. His legacy lives on, and he is never far from our thoughts as we continue to build on a number of the many projects Ramsay was involved in.
 
The Annual General Meeting and last Board of Directors meeting for QMRS was held in November at Dysart station. All directors and a number of QMRS personnel also recently attended a training session regarding our obligations and responsibilities as directors and officers of QMRS, with particular reference to the Corporations Act, Workplace Health and Safety Act, and the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act and Regulations. 
 
To the team members involved throughout the year in activities at mines including Grosvenor, Cook Colliery, Crinum, and the Moranbah North Level 1, and to all of those who attended every training round in your chosen discipline, thank you for your efforts and continuing commitment to the Queensland coal mining industries emergency capability.
 
QMRS team members recognised during the year for significant service to Mines Rescue are as follows:

10 Years                      15 Years                       20 Years                     35 Years                      
Steve Dawe                  Richard Cooper           Richard Halpin            Clive Hanrahan 
Robert Ellery                 Dallas Dorney             Warren Macklin            
Darren Everett              Joe Martorana             Barry Stanieg
Les Fitzsimmons                                  
Jason Francis               
Rayner Gompelman                                         25 Years
Lance Jackman                                                Jimmy Vardanega
Damien James             
Benjamin Kemp
Luke Ludlow
Grant McFarlane
Michael Pickering
Francis Rolls
Ross Smith
Brent Witkowski

Special mention to Jimmy Vardanega for his 25 years’ service so far to QMRS. Jimmy V is a very passionate individual, who has devoted a lot of extra time to improving his own skills and those of his team mates. Well done mate. 

I must also acknowledge, and congratulate Clive Hanrahan, QMRS MIU Operations Manager for his 35 years’ service. We had the opportunity at the recent MIU workshop to reflect on Clive’s colourful career, and the influence he has made to QMRS, and the coal industry in general.  An excellent achievement.

As there were no competitions this year, unfortunately the recognition of significant milestones and presentation of service badges was unable to be done in front of a large group of Mines Rescue peers. On behalf of your fellow team members, and the QMRS Board of Directors I thank all of you for your dedication and continuing involvement with mines rescue.

I would also like to thank those QMRS employees who have continued to work hard to improve our organisation, our team members knowledge and skills, and the influence that QMRS has on our industry. We are moving in the right direction, but we must continue to challenge, innovate, communicate and work together to be better than before.
 
Lastly, I would like to thank all team members who took the opportunity to vote in the team member representative election. We used an electronic voting process this year and while the voter numbers were slightly up on previous elections, we can be a lot better. The opportunity to represent you for another 3 years on the QMRS Board of Directors is a privilege. Graham Fuller will remain as my alternate director, and I thank him for his continued service to QMRS and his valuable input.
 
I would like to wish everyone and their families a safe, happy and enjoyable Christmas and New Year period, as well as a healthy, pandemic free 2021.
 
For those working in our industry over this festive season, be safe, and look out for your mates.

Regards
Shaun Dando

Capital Projects - Ian Brown

Moving along with the Boonal project - the rope tower, confined space, shed concrete and fire pad are now all complete.  An additional 363kl tank has been installed and pipework is in progress.

The earthworks and set out is complete for the simulated mine area with concrete works approved, tilt up panels and workshop drawings are in progress for the structural steel.

Risk Manager - Steve Dawe

Welcome to the December version of our QMRS Newsletter.

Workplace Health and Safety
Good day to you all I hope this edition of the newsletter finds everyone well and healthy and managing through the COVID world.

COVID 19 restrictions are still in place and have become the “norm” to make attendance at our QMRS facilities as safe as possible.  Whilst Australia is managing COVID19 probably better than the rest of the world it is extremely important we do not become complacent.  I must reiterate that the QMRS staff are here to assist you with understanding and following the processes in place. 

Remember it is a requirement for you to log your temperature on arrival at any of our stations and complete the questionnaire.  Room sizes have restricted access which is clearly sign posted at entry points.  At times there may be bottle necks in the crib rooms so where possible cribs are to be staggered and you must also be aware and follow the requirements for entry limits into these areas.

The first quarter 2021 will see it nice and hot in Central Queensland so please make the time to be well hydrated during these first few months, starting with the night before and restricting coffees and diuretics before the training sessions.  Looking forward to seeing you all around the stations in 2021 fit and ready for training.

In closing, 2020 has been an extremely challenging year for everyone navigating around the new COVID requirements and for the QMRS staff with the loss of one of our family (RIP Rambo).  I know many of the staff are looking forward to a well-earned break over Christmas as I’m sure are you.  Please enjoy every moment spent with loved ones, take care and embrace the festive spirit responsibly.

I look forward to seeing you fit and healthy at training in 2021.

Merry Christmas

Steve Dawe (Dawesy)

Underground Training Operations Manager - Mark Freeman

Underground Training
Well, we are moving to the end of what has been a horrible year for humanity.  We have been relatively sheltered in Central Queensland, but I am sure that COVID has touched our greater families.  Talking to mines rescue members from other counties, they have had many hurdles that have required managing.  Everything from washing suits to first aid training has been re-designed to meet the COVID world.
 
By now coordinators have received the calendar for the 2021 training rounds.  Looking at the 2020 statistics, we are tracking well compared to bookings.  We can however improve the number of people that are booked in.  There are several mines that are not booking all their people into the training calendar before the round starts and subsequently there is a gap in the numbers of people trained to the total number of current rescue members.
 
I would like to thank the training staff for their diligence in delivering the session and transferring their knowledge to the team members.  Thanks also to the team members for challenging us as an organisation to continually improve and renew the training.
 
Recruit Training
The recruit course training has been broken into two sections for 2021 with 4 underground team member recruit courses and 3 statutory officials recruit courses.  This will allow us to bring prospective ERZ controllers through and meet the requirements for the inspectorate in a 10 day course, while ensuring that there are enough spaces for UG team members to maintain our response numbers.
 
If there are any sites looking for positions on either of the courses, please contact me or one of the stations in the new year.
 
First Responder Training
As part of the “Fight or Flight Sub Committee 2 Position Paper: First Response (2006)” it was noted that “The initial actions taken by personnel on hand, with the equipment available to them, to control or contain an unwanted event.  The unwanted event is or has the potential to cause a condition of danger.”  QMRS have developed a First Response course to give underground personnel the ability to safely deal with an incident before it becomes out of hand, as well as understanding what their limitations are.  
 
A pilot course was run with mine workers from several sites to confirm that course content and session plans were relevant.  The course was very well received and with minor alterations the course was ready to procced.  On completion of the 3 day course, attendees will receive the following nationally recognised competencies:

• PUAFIR210 Prevent injury
• PUAFIR207 Operate breathing apparatus open circuit
• Unit 3 Operate self-contained self-rescuer
• RIIERR302E Respond to local emergencies and incidents
• RIIERR204E Provide aided rescue to endangered personnel  

If you would like to know any further information on First Response training, please contact one of the stations or myself on 0419791601 or mfreeman@qmrs.com.au.

Statutory Officials Emergency Response Course
As mentioned above, we have developed a modified recruit course to give perspective ERZ controllers an idea of mines rescue procedures and develop first response capabilities and philosophies.  The course is designed to cover the gap between their statutory officials training and our underground recruit course.

The first pilot course was run for 4 trainees at the Blackwater Station in November over 10 days with very good feedback on the course content.  One item that was highlighted was the need to a greater focus on gas detection and gases, which will become part of the course moving forward.
 
The same nationally recognised competencies from the first responders’ course are covered in the SOERC as well as topics from the underground recruit course: 

• PUAFIR210 Prevent injury
• PUAFIR207 Operate breathing apparatus open circuit
• Unit 3 Operate self-contained self-rescuer
• RIIERR302E Respond to local emergencies and incidents
• RIIERR204E Provide aided rescue to endangered personnel
• Underground recruit course topics (not issued as statements of attainment)
  • Operate closed circuit breathing apparatus
  • Operate from a fresh air base
  • Manage a substation
  • Gas detection and gases

 We are running 3 courses with a maximum of 8 students in 2021.  Please contact one of the stations in the new year for enrolment details.

Mine Inertisation Unit Operations Manager - Clive Hanrahan

Our ten day MIU Block Release went ahead as planned in September welcoming a mix of new members as well as a couple with experience from Rescue.  At this stage, the next block release will be April 19-30, 2021.  December saw around 60 attendees at our annual training workshop in Mackay.  A big thank you to the guest speakers for some interesting topics.  

Testing of the afterburner with the new adaptor proved successful however we are still experiencing some issues when connected to tubes and pressure changes. 

Thermal imaging is proving itself to be a very good tool for analysing temperature changes while running. 

Broadmeadow and Carborough Downs have made good progress in upgrading their docking stations towards the end of the year with 2021 being the year to complete all remaining docking stations.

Although Shaun has mentioned recognition of service of team members, I would like to extend my congratulations and appreciation to our MIU Team Members as well.  Firstly, to Clinton Taylor for his 5 years service as both a Rescue and MIU team member and also to Jimmy Vardanega for his outstanding commitment with 25 years service.

Wishing you all a safe and happy break.  See you in 2021.

Clive

Welcome to our December edition, best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year ahead for all.

MEMS
FY 20/21 has seen 145 participants undertake Incident Management Training resulting in either obtaining a SOA for RIIERR501E (85 certificates awarded) or have received familiarisation in ICCS.  These courses have been made up from Aquila, Clermont, Grasstree, Gregory, Minerva, Meteor Downs South, Moranbah North, Oaky North and Rolleston Mines with delivery both at mine sites and in Mackay.

If your mine has employees aspiring to gain statutory qualifications in either Deputies, Undermanager's or as an Underground Mine Manager, the SOA for RIIERR501E is one qualification which is required by the Board of Examiners.  QMRS will be facilitating one day refreshers in 2021.

Please contact the rescue station via email enquiry@qmrs.com.au or phone 4958 2244 for further information on the course.

The Level 1 Emergency Exercise was carried out at Moranbah North this year with the scenario of an extinguished fire on the LHD however, was still smouldering at 3.37am.  All CMW's were withdrawn to surface and when accounting for persons, it was identified an ERZC was missing. 

The Alerts call was received from the mine at 4.47am, the MAG North team initiated at 5.05am with arrival on site at 6.20am proceeding directly for briefing with the IMT.  Confirmation of the last known area of ERZC, identification of the team search area with 4 teams of 6 persons available on site for deployment from 6.30am. 

Leading the way were Team Captains Scott Ryan, Lee Brunker, Zac Swifte and Adrian Van Druten with Garrett Thompson as Sub Station Controller and Gaven Klingner and Brendan Sant supporting in FAB. 

Rescue Winder
The winder is well advanced in it’s construction.  Factory testing has been conducted on the braking, hydraulics, boom and platform on the truck.  We are advancing on the cage design and the electrical requirements for communication of both voice and data, the gas monitoring, live camera feed and lighting.  The interfacing between equipment is being discussed and designed with final proposals being organised in the coming weeks. 

Operations Manager Surface Training - Mike Walker

The open cut training staff have had another big finish to a big year.  Their efforts throughout the year have not gone unnoticed with many mines emailing us thanking them for the efforts above and beyond just training.  We have grown from training only 2 permanent sites in 2016 to 11 currently.

Earlier this year we tendered for the contract to train new recruits for all BMA sites in the Bowen Basin.  This was for 40 people from each of the 6 sites trained from scratch to
Cert III over 18 months.

We are very pleased to announce we are now finalising the contract with training to start early 2021. With this extra workload additional staff will be sourced and trained up to our current standards.  We have also been asked to provide session plans and other information to assist BMA in providing the skills maintenance themselves.

The open cut experienced a growth period over the last couple of months leading us to employ a new surface trainer.  William Cooper started with us at QMRS on the 9^th of November.  William comes to us with a background in NSW fire service and BHP as an ERT member and trainer.  William will be living in Blackwater for the first couple of months until he finds himself a new home.  Please make Will welcome whenever you get the chance and assist him with possible options of places to live.

Our training competencies portfolio has also grown this year with the development of our own first aid package.  Richard Firth with the assistance of Brian Debnam of Ensham Mine have put together these packages and feedback from trainees has been great.  We have also been speaking with the Inspectorate in relation to our gas monitoring course and gas ticket for OCE’s to complete before sitting their statutory ticket.  We are also finalising Wildfire, Land Search, and a competency around bodies of water.

Moving forward into next year, our competitions for Open Cut will kick back in with the Southern region more than likely been hosted at Meandu and the Northern Region at our own Boonal Station in Blackwater.

I would like to thank all the staff involved in making the Open Cut portfolio a success.  Your efforts and time away from your families, a lot of travel and working long days is a huge credit to yourselves and this organisation.  These efforts made by all has opened opportunities for us all and to stamp our standard into the industry.