Maintaining and upgrading fire and mine rescue equipment is a critical aspect of emergency preparedness at mining operations. This fall, the Rainy River Mine acquired a new fire engine, replacing a fleet of two older fire trucks. This new engine is similar to a standard city fire department engine, however crews upgraded the truck with larger and more robust tires better suited for a mine site.
“We’re all extremely happy to have a more dependable and user-friendly truck for the team to use,” said Jarid Sandelovich, Emergency Services Coordinator.
This improved vehicle further enhances Rainy River’s emergency response capabilities. For the first time, the new engine allows for crews to hook up the fire truck directly to a 100-ton water truck in the open pit, giving the mine a greater water supply in the case of an emergency.
Preparations for the new truck began before it arrived, with the development of a training plan and operating procedures. Following arrival and commissioning, members of the 43-person volunteer Emergency Response Team trained on it weekly, ensuring all members are familiar with the fire engine and its operation.
“This truck is a symbol of our commitment to emergency response and safety overall,” said Jarid. “This really allows us to enhance our firefighting capabilities, ensuring the protection of employees and facilities, and potentially even offer as assistance for local firefighting efforts where possible in the future.”