The one-day event is set for September 29 at the recently-completed Mine Safety Training Center in the eastern Ohio town of Cadiz.

Set to compete are crews from several coal mines including Rosebud Mining, Ohio Valley Coal, Hopedale Mining, Buckingham Coal, Alliance Coal, Gatling Coal, Sterling Mining and American Energy.

The contest kicks off at 8am and will close with a memorial dedication ceremony renaming the Mine Safety Training Center in honor of DMRM veteran and safety advocate Jerry Stewart, who passed away in May 2010.

“Mine safety competitions help develop and test the skills of mine rescue teams by using simulated mine emergency conditions, such as those found at the simulated mine at ODNR’s Mine Safety Training Center,” organizers said.

“Such training could save lives during an actual mine emergency.”

The competition is open to the public.

The Mine Safety Training Center hosted its first mine rescue contest, the second annual Ohio Mine Safety competition, last October.

The facility includes two 158-foot by 200ft simulated mines with flexible ceiling heights and visibility levels as well as four classrooms.