Oaky North has topped the 17^th QMRS Memorial Cup mines rescue competition, also walking away with this year’s George Carbine shield.

The Oaky North team was followed in second place by Kestrel and Ensham in third at the recent competition at the BMA Broadmeadow mine in the Bowen Basin. A ‘Barbarian’ team and one from Aquila also competed.

“The QMRS Memorial Cup traditionally applies a strong focus on first aid skills,” Queensland Mines Rescue Service chief assessor Steve Dawe said.

“The George Carbine shield was presented to Oaky North team, who displayed excellence in first aid consistently across all exercises on the day. 

“Teams also competed for the QMRS Excellence in Firefighting shield, scored across the exercises, and this was awarded to Kestrel’s team.” 

Mr Dawe said the competition included an underground event conducted in an outbye section of the mine workings.

Teams participated in a range of technical tasks based around re-entering a mine post-incident.

“Surface exercises challenged teams with multi-casualty scenarios, extrication using air bags, firefighting and CABA scenarios using all the skills and competencies learned at rescue training,” he said. 

“In addition to the underground and surface exercises, teams also completed team theory assessments using the MyQMRS Learning Management System.” 

Related: Cannington capability shines in rescue comp

The next major event on the coal rescue challenge calendar is the Queensland State Cup, to be hosted at Ensham mine on July 21.

Teams from Aquila, Kestrel, Oaky North, Moranbah North, Grosvenor, Ensham, Broadmeadow and Carborough Downs mines are set to contest the cup.