Gahcho Kué’s Emergency Response team, who are the reigning champions of the annual NWT/Nunavut Mine Rescue competition, are leaving no stone unturned in preparation for this year’s event.
Comprising of eight members, the team includes Cody Horne (Mobile Maintenance), Cole Turner (Mine Ops), William Langlois (Supply Chain), Julian Mercredi (Mine Ops), Dave Squires (Mobile Maintenance), John Staton (Mine Ops), Ashley Steinwand (Site Services), Andrew Weyallon (Process Maintenance) and coaches Jon Gale and Jake Matecki.
The competition, which will take place on the 16th and 17th of June, is a showcase of skills, qualifications, and training in emergency response from mines in the NWT and the Yukon.
The GK team has rigorously trained to test their consistency and performance in a written test, firefighting, smoke task, operations and recovery, rope task, theory task, and first aid.
The team's success in the competition is a testament to the abilities of each member, assuring their coworkers of their capabilities in the event of an on-site emergency. The ERT team's standout qualities include a willingness to learn and the ability to work seamlessly as a team. The extensive training provided to the competition team is equivalent to five years of experience condensed into a four-month period. This includes four days of first aid training, five days of rope training, two days of fire training, and two weeks of intensive training before the competition.
From 2016 through 2019, the Gahcho Kué ERT team has won 21 awards, further solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in mine rescue, including three consecutive NWT/Nunavut overall competition trophies and the 2019 National Western Mine Rescue Championship. This remarkable achievement showcases their consistent excellence and sets the bar high for their performance in the upcoming competition.
The commitment to the competition is significant, both in terms of time and effort, with dozens of hours spent training in the weeks leading up to the competition. This dedication extends to the families and colleagues of team members who support their training and participation. Departments across the organization contribute resources, facilities, and personnel for training exercises, reinforcing the shared commitment to the team's success.