The two-day Alliance Mine Rescue Competition in the southern town of Beckley brought together more than 40 rescue crews from various coal companies to test skills with real-life scenarios including equipment malfunctions and a smoke room.

All 12 of Alpha's affiliated mine rescue teams, as well as two teams that are part of the Pennsylvania Mine Rescue System but made up of Alpha employees, participated. The event was split into two categories, Division I for novice competitors and Division II for experienced crews.

Kingston's White Team finished first in the Division II competition, and Alpha’s Cumberland Coal Resources crew, Cumberland JC, from southwestern Pennsylvania took home second place.

Alpha’s Dickenson-Russell Coal team from southwest Virginia won third place, and the Marion Center No. 1 team, part of the Pennsylvania Mine Rescue system, took first place for Division I in the smoke room contest.

"This contest is unique because it tests the skills these mine rescue teams need to be successful during a real mine emergency,” Kingston safety manager and mine rescue assistant trainer Greg Fernett said.

“We are proud of what our teams accomplished. The results were proof that their hard work and training pay off."

The Kingston White team consisted of captain George Smith, No. 1 gas man Oscar Hughes Jr, No. 2 gas man Matt Price, map man Gary Brooks, tail captain Jarrod Birchfield, briefing officer Ryan Haga, patient Daniel "Speedy" Bragg and alternate/assistant trainer Greg Fernett.

The Marion Center No. 1 crew was captain Tony Lute (Gillhouser Run mine), map man Ed Gallagher (Dora 8), gas man Troy Lewarchick (Nolo), gas man Paul Zamba (Nolo), briefing officer Ed Yount (Dora 8), alternate Ron Wysocki (Nolo) and alternate Nick Zak (Amfire CI).