HOMEPAGE PERSONAL PROFILE HISTORICAL REVIEW HOWEBRIDGE MRS BOOTHSTOWN MRS PURPOSE OF A MRS MOBILE WINDING ENGINE AMPUTATION KIT OFFICERS AND STAFF SELECTION OF RESCUEMEN BREATHING APP PRIME FEATURES OF BA GENERAL CONDUCT OXYGEN RESUSCITATORS HEAT AND HUMIDITY RESCUE COMMS CANARIES AND LAMPS SELF RESCUERS SEFA BREATHING APPARATUS PROTO BREATHING APPARATUS AERORLOX BREATHING APPARATUS SALVUS BREATHING APPARATUS SAVOX BREATHING APPARATUS MINOX BREATHING APPARATUS ANTIPOYS TUBE APPARATUS

The Lancashire Mines Rescue Service WELCOME TO THE LANCASHIRE MINES RESCUE SERVICE. FRONT VIEW OF BOOTHSTOWN MINES RESCUE STATION. The Rescue Station is located on Ellenbrook Road, approximately 200 yards South of the junction with the East Lancashire Road ( A580 ). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTRODUCTION. The primary aim of these Notes is to introduce The Lancashire Mines Rescue Service to those who never actually had rescue experience. However, at the same time, it is hoped that ex-rescuemen will be pleasantly reminded of their own involvement. The author has attempted to tell the story of the Rescue Service’s existence in the County, from it’s earliest days in 1908, up to the time it became non-operational in 1994. It was thought the timing was appropriate because on April 2nd. next year (2008), the Lancashire Mines Rescue Service would have been in existence for exactly 100 years. In no way are these Notes meant to be a definitive account, but rather to provide a brief understanding of how the Service evolved, how it was managed and how it was operated under normal and emergency conditions. The Notes are divided into categories, each providing a short description of the different aspects of the work Everybody in the Country is aware of our three main emergency services, i.e. the Police, Fire and Ambulance, but much less is known about others such as the Mountain Rescue Service or the Mines Rescue Service and there is a significant difference between these two. The mountain rescue teams are mostly (but not always) involved with people who get into difficulties whilst engaged in recreational activities for pleasure. Whereas, the Mines Rescue Service was always involved with victims who had suffered, whilst engaged in the essential daily task of earning a living. In many parts of Britain, there are very few signs of a once thriving Coal Industry and this is certainly the case in Lancashire. If the various spoil heaps are ignored, possibly the only physical reminders are the headgear and winding engine house at the old Astley Green Colliery. These can be seen to the South of the A580 trunk road at Astley. As far as the Lancashire Mines Rescue Service is concerned, only two of the original five Stations are still standing and are now used for other purposes. It is very probable that a very high proportion of the local population, who regularly pass these two buildings every day, have little idea of the original purpose for which they were built. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please feel free to send your comments, memories or photographs to Les Hampson, who can be contacted via e-mail. Contact:- lancashireminesrescue@yahoo.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acknowledgement: - I would like to express my gratitude to "COLSAL" (Communities Online in Salford) for the opportunity to place these Notes on the Web and in particular to say a big "Thank You" to Maggie Tattersall (ICT Community Development Officer) for the incalculable help and support at every stage. 'LH' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------