Mine rescue teams from across the region gathered together in Sparwood on May 2 at the East Kootenay Zone Mine Rescue Competition to showcase the skills, teamwork, and readiness needed to respond effectively to emergencies.

The competition was designed to simulate real-life incidents, challenging teams to apply specialized training, problem-solving, and safety procedures under pressure.

Teams competed against each other in multiple focus areas, including mock emergency scenarios.

Each team was led by an Emergency Response Coordinator and coaches who were responsible for organizing the teams, training and coaching for the event.

Taking home first place in the 6 Person Surface Mine Rescue category was the team from EVR’s Line Creek Operations with team members Harley Marshall (Captain), Kyle Brennan (Vice-Captain), Jay Marshall, JP Wallin, Kyle Laboucne, Kenan Ligertwood (First Aider), Colleen O’Neill (spare). Coach: Alex Isaacs. Team medic: Jen Vitue.

First place in the 3 Person First Aid category also went to the team from EVR’s Line Creek Operations with team members Britany Dorion (Captain), Dana Dobrzanski, Rebecca Girvin.

Full results

The first and second place teams will now move on to represent EVR and the East Kootenay Zone at the Provincial Mine Rescue competition on May 22 – 23 in Penticton.

The following teams competed in the 2026 East Kootenay Zone Mine Rescue Competition:

Elk Valley Resources photos

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