The Rocky Mountain Coal Mine Rescue Association hosted its 39th Annual Mine Rescue, First Aid, Bench and Preshift Contest in Price, Utah held June 14 to 18. Thirteen teams from Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and New Mexico participated in the contest, which also served as required training for the teams. The four day event consisted of pre-shift competition, allowing certified mine examiners to flaunt their hazard recognition and compliance skills. The two day mine rescue contest had mine rescue teams introduced to a mock mine disaster and judged on rescue and recovery skills, first aid competition and finally the bench contest where team members known as benchmen are judged on their abilities to troubleshoot, repair and service mine rescue breathing apparatus. The event is approved and judged by federal and state mine inspectors and awards are given based on lowest discounts or docks and fastest times. Blue Mountain Energy (BME)/Deserado Mine sent one of two teams to the contest in Price. The Deserado “Black” Team took top honors in the first aid and mine rescue events and a second place trophy in the Draeger BG 4 Bench contest. Traveling trophies were provided by the Rocky Mountain Coal Mine Rescue Association as well as Mine gas lamp replica awards. Draeger Safety also awarded a limited production trophy to the highest placing team that used Draeger apparatus (Deserado “Black” team). Deserado Black was also awarded the coveted combination trophy for placing first in both first aid and mine rescue. The Deserado “Black” team will compete in a National contest held in Lexington, Kentukey the week of September 14. Deserado’s “Silver” team will compete in a similar contest hosted by the Colorado Mine Rescue Association in Craig the week of July 13 and hopes to qualify for the National event.