East Kootenay mine rescue results from the 2026 zone competition in Sparwood saw Elk Valley Resources’ Line Creek Operations take top honours in both major categories, highlighting the emergency response skills and safety training behind the region’s mining industry.
Mine rescue teams from across the East Kootenay gathered May 2, 2026, for the East Kootenay Zone Mine Rescue Competition, an event designed to test emergency response skills under realistic pressure. Teams competed in mock emergency scenarios, first aid, fire response, rope work, extrication, written testing and other technical disciplines.
Line Creek Operations finished first overall in the 6 Person Surface Mine Rescue category. The winning team included Harley Marshall as captain, Kyle Brennan as vice-captain, Jay Marshall, JP Wallin, Kyle Laboucne, Kenan Ligertwood as first aider, and spare Colleen O’Neill. Alex Isaacs coached the team, with Jen Vitue serving as team medic.
Line Creek also won first overall in the 3 Person First Aid category, with Britany Dorion as captain, Dana Dobrzanski and Rebecca Girvin.
The competition is more than a test of technical ability. In a region where mining remains central to the economy and workforce, mine rescue training represents a critical layer of emergency readiness. The event challenges teams to apply specialized procedures, communicate clearly, make decisions under pressure, and work as a coordinated unit when conditions are difficult.
Greenhills Operations placed second in the 3 Person First Aid category, while Elkview Operations placed second in 6 Person Surface Mine Rescue. Fording River Operations earned individual written honours in first aid, with Eric Homann named Best Spare Written and Justin Lychak named Best Individual Written.
In the 6 Person Surface Mine Rescue results, Elkview Operations won Best Team Bench, Line Creek Operations won Best Team Fire, Greenhills Operations won Best Team Other/Extrication, Line Creek won Best Team Rope and Best Team Written, and Harley Marshall of Line Creek was named Best Surface Captain. Josiah Sypulski of Greenhills Operations won Best Individual Written, while Danny Flegel of Coal Mountain Mine won Best Coach Written.
Teams from Baymag, Coal Mountain Mine, Elkview Operations, Fording River Operations, Greenhills Operations and Line Creek Operations competed in the 2026 event.
The first and second place teams now advance to represent EVR and the East Kootenay Zone at the Provincial Mine Rescue Competition, taking place May 22–23 in Penticton.
Photos: EVR
