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 THE PURPOSE OF A MINES RESCUE STATION. Photograph taken in 1954 in front of Boothstown Rescue Station. Reason for the photo unknown except that it shows some of the Station personnel at that time. From the left : Arthur Cunliffe (Supt.), Frank Rigby (Instructor), Les Hampson (P.C.), Fred Burtonwood (P.C.), Walter Guest in cab (Instructor), Jack Scott (P.C.), Reg Evans (P.C.), Martin Gormally (P.C.) and Bob Johnson (Senior Instructor). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE PRIME PURPOSE OF A MINES RESCUE STATION. The prime purpose of a Mines Rescue Station, was to have fully trained rescuemen, suitable vehicles and appropriate rescue equipment, available for immediate turn-out to any colliery in the event of an emergency incident occurring underground. The aim was to promptly, render such skilled assistance that was necessary to save life and preserve property, whenever and whatever type of emergency situation occurred underground, that produced an irrespirable atmosphere. The operative word here is “irrespirable”. An underground incident occurring in fresh air would usually be dealt with by colliery personnel, who were there on the spot at the time, but if protection from the atmosphere was required in the form of breathing apparatus, then the involvement of the Mines Rescue Station was unavoidable. The Services of the Rescue Station would always be sought by collieries whenever the following incidents occurred:- gas and coal-dust explosions; open fires and serious outbursts of gas. For inrushes of water and roof falls to involve the Rescue Service, would depend on the severity of the incident. However, if in either case, the ventilation was impaired in any way, causing potentially dangerous conditions due to the build-up of gas, then breathing apparatus would be required and that would certainly involve the Rescue Service. In some cases, in addition to emergency incidents, the services of the Rescue Station had to be used. According to the Rescue Regulations, whenever certain tasks underground, of a hazardous nature were being, performed by colliery personnel, it was mandatory to have two trained rescue men, equipped with breathing apparatus on 'stand-by' until completion of the work. This type of work included the erection of stoppings and seals (except routine); changes to the ventilation system and the re-opening and de-gassing of sealed off districts. Fires and other emergency incidents occuring on the surface of the mine, would normally be dealt with by the Fire Service in the same way as other industrial premises elsewhere. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------