Mines Rescue Service, Dinas

Yesterday I welcomed the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Dr Brian Gibbons, to the Mines Rescue Service centre in Dinas in the Rhondda to see mine rescue training in action.

The only facility of its kind in Wales, the Mines Rescue Service provides specialist training in deep mine rescue techniques. It also provides a rescue service to coal, stone and storage mines in Wales.

I took this picture of Brian watching the London Fire Brigade undertaking training at the centre, which provides specialist training including the use of breathing apparatus, tunnelling, shoring, working in confined spaces, first aid and health and safety.

The Mines Rescue Service currently provides emergency rescue cover for the 5 coal mines in South Wales, Tower at Hirwaun, Aberpergwym and Unity (Pentreclwdau) at Glynneath, Blaentillery at Blaenavon, Nanthir at Banwen Seven Sisters and Black Barn at Pontypool. They also cover several working stone mines and storage mines, plus a stabilisation project at Coombedown, Bath. Big Pit at Blaenavon also depends on their services.