East Kootenay Mines Industrial Safety Association’s 92ng Competitions were held on May 11,2013 in Sparwood with the awards banquet in Fernie that evening.

The competitions were hosted by Fording River Operations – Teck Coal Limited with all five mines competing and also a novice team and two occupational first aid teams.

Brad Hogg was main organizer of the event with Mike Harrington as MC for the evening festivities.

Dean Runzer, President of the Association for 2013 and Mine Manager of Fording River Operations delivered the welcome speech. Grace was recited by Elov Simmons and a moving video presentation on the history of mining in the Elk Valley was produced by Patrick Spohr, Fording River Operations.

A delicious dinner was provided by Lizard Creek Lodge, afterwards Mike introduced David Wilks MP for Kootenay-Columbia, MLA Kootenay East Bill Bennett, Bob Kelly, VP Health and Safety for Teck Coal, Robin Sheremeta VP Operations Teck Coal, Mary Giuliano Mayor Fernie, Lois Halko Mayor Sparwood, Ken Wildman Councillor Elkford, Jerrold Jewsbury BC Ministry of Mines- Inspector of Mines, and Selene Minh Nguyet- Team Miracle.

The mine rescue teams were introduced with all five mines having competitors. Several jubilant teams exploded in cheers when they heard they would be attending the provincial competitions in Revelstoke next month.

Awards were presented by Linda Bailey and Tamara Bailey of Staying Alive First Aid Academy and Chief Judge Jerrod Jewsbury.
Winners were Non-mine rescue – first SMS second Canfor. 3person intermediate were first Anealators second Eradecators.
Best captain (Jack Peters award) went to Loren Langiville, highest written (Dunbar award) was Scott Shalaton. Novice team went to Team Miracle.

SMS got a standing ovation when they immediately donated their $1000 winnings to the Mining for Miracles for children.
But the biggest cheers came when Greenhills came in second place and Coal Mountain came in first place which means they are headed for Revelstoke and the provincial competitions in June.

Brad Hogg commented that “everything went without a hitch” Bob Kelley sated that he felt a “great sense of family and much community spirit and pride” in these competitions and Jerrold Jewsbury said he “was very proud to be part of the group of people’, (in mining).
The comaderie displayed by the team members, volunteers and organizers is very evident during the competitions. The video showcased the suffering mineworkers of the Valley went through from the beginning when underground mining of coal was with pick and shovel. It was pointed out that the above ground removal of coal today is much safer but that much of that safety can be attributed to the miners themselves who train in mine rescue and are much more aware of safety than ever before.

Of course these types of events wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the sponsors and volunteers who contribute their time and resources to the success of the event.

Sincere Congratulations to the winners but most of all Congratulations to all of the competitors and volunteers and sponsors for their dedication to mine rescue.

On the morning of Friday, April 26, 2013 City staff and employees gathered to commemorate the World Day of Mourning.
Mike Poirier represented the workers and conducted a short ceremony that ended with a moment of silence. He read an introduction from the Union and asked me in my capacity as mayor to also say a few words.

Worker’s Memorial Day was started by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) in 1984.

In 1985 The Canadian Labour Congress officially declared April 28, as the annual day of remembrance for workers who have been killed and injured on the job.

This date was chosen because it was on this day in 1914 that the third reading of the Workmen’s Compensation Act took place.
On December 28, 1990 the Government of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act, establishing April 28 as the official National Day of Mourning for persons killed or injured in the workplace making that day an official Worker’s Mourning Day.

Since then this day is observed in over 80 countries, the Canadian flag is flown at half-mast on Parliament Hill and workers and employees observe this day by wearing black ribbons, armbands and having a moment of silence.

The purpose of this day is to remember and honour those lives lost or injured and to renew the commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace to prevent further deaths, injuries and diseases from work.

Thursday evening saw the grand opening of the new banners that will be decorating Fernie’s downtown.

As mayor I was given the privilege of opening the doors to the theatre where they were suspended from the ceiling and if a first impression means anything the gasp from the spectators said a whole lot, amazing scenes with a green border that looks spectacular. Seeing them all together is a pretty impressive sight. Donna Miller who led the program this year said that 18 of the nearly 100 entrants that were submitted were by children. I believe each of these kids deserves special thanks for having interest in such a program and actually submitting a work of art. Congratulations to all of you, it is wonderful to see and I commend all of you for being involved.

The original banners were introduced by the City in 1999 but a few years later Linda hide initiated the program to have images from local artists grace the banners instead of having generic art.

This program has proved so successful that both City Hall and the Arts Station receive calls regularly for requests of information on the program from municipalities across Canada.

I want to convey a huge thank you on behalf of City Council and the City of Fernie to all of those people who submitted their works.
Our town is much brighter and unique not only physically by the outstanding banners put up each year but also by the love visible in each of those pieces of art that makes the banner.

As a long-time resident of this town I can’t help but gush over the amazing people that live here.

Fernie has a constant stream of individuals who are involved in so many ways to make life here easier and more enjoyable for all residents. Most of what is accomplished is done on a volunteer basis. Just look around and notice what we have, Community Centre, Curling Club, Aquatic Centre, Miners Walk, Library, Arts Station, Museum, all sports organizations, committees, service clubs and many amenities have all been spearheaded by volunteers and continue to be successful because of those same people willing to give of time, heart and energy to the improvement and addition to our town in one way or another.