Ontario Mine Rescue

05/26/2026

Join us in celebrating the MRO's and volunteers who laced up for the SudburyRocks Marathon on Sunday!

Carrying the 80 lb basket, Scott Gillett, Danny Taillefer, Jason Leger, Nicholas Schwehr, Gord Sullivan, and April Belecque completed the 5km race in 55 minutes and 13 seconds - all while donning their BG4s. They couldn't have done it without our community's generosity, who helped them raise $3620 for the Health Sciences North Foundation!

And taking FIRST place in the relay were MROs Mat Johnson and Jeff Farquharson, and volunteers Ryan Labranche, Laura Schmidt, Jeremy Faulkner, Will Langlois, Jared Lindsay, and Bailey Boucher.

Volunteers Paul Jacques and Nick Fram took on the 1/2 marathon, while Faheema Velji finished the 5km in 36:37!

Thank you for cheering on OMR and supporting this inspiring event with us!

05/22/2026

In only a week, you’ve helped Scott raise over $2000 - incredible! That’s 40 lbs on the basket to challenge him and his team.

Introducing the other Mine Rescue Officers on the team: April Belecque, Danny Taillefer, Nick Schwehr, Gorden Sullivan, and Jason Leger.

Thank you all for joining us in supporting the HSN Foundation!

Want to help raise the stakes before the 24th? Donations are still open: https://gofund.me/1e2f1da0d

Scott Gillett from Ontario Mine Rescue is back for the 2026 SudburyROCKS Marathon with another h… Scott Gillett needs your support for Headframe to Healthcare

05/21/2026

In a Sudbury press conference on Tuesday, President and CEO of the WSIB Jeff Lang announced the future Ontario Mine Rescue Training Academy location, a site east of Frood road. A concept for the structure and property was revealed in addition to the announcement.

The City of Greater Sudbury also announced a surplus contribution of municipal land to the project, reflecting a shared commitment to mine safety, emergency preparedness, and the future of mining in Northern Ontario.

We are grateful to Mayor Paul Lefebvre and the City Council for helping accelerate this project for a grand opening in 2029 - OMR's 100th Anniversary.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

05/14/2026

Mine Rescue Officer Scott Gillett is back for the 2026 SudburyROCKS Marathon — and needs your help with a new fundraising challenge!

He will compete alongside a team of Mine Rescue Officers, with a catch: for the full five kilometre run, they will don their breathing apparatus while carrying a stretcher basket.

Their goal: carrying up to 100lbs during the marathon. For every $1000 raised before May 24th, the team will add an additional 20 lbs to the basket to raise the stakes!

Visit Scott’s GoFundMe to donate: https://gofund.me/49f7fc854

All proceeds go directly to the Health Sciences North (HSN) Foundation: a vital cause that supports critical healthcare services in Greater Sudbury and Northeastern Ontario.

After raising an incredible $5,524 for the HSN Foundation last year, we want to thank you for your generosity and community spirit. As Scott and his team gear up for another round, let’s see if we can break our record and make an even bigger impact! 💪

Scott Gillett from Ontario Mine Rescue is back for the 2026 SudburyROCKS Marathon with another h… Scott Gillett needs your support for Headframe to Healthcare

05/12/2026

Congratulations to all mine rescue teams who participated in the 2026 District Mine Rescue Competition last week, who continue to demonstrate the commitment, teamwork, and expertise behind mine rescue operations. To all sponsors, judges, and volunteers: thank you for supporting another successful competition and contributing to the betterment of emergency response efforts.

Winning teams of each district are as follows, who will compete at the provincial level in June:

Southern District:
Compass Minerals – Goderich Mine

Captain Cody Lobb, #2 Marshall Jeffery, #3 Chris Sallows, #4 Wade Armstrong, Vice Captain Peter Hendriks, #6 Kyle Ropp, #7 Lee Coates, Briefing Officer Ken Nguyen, Technician Dennis Hogan

Sudbury District:
Vale – West Mines

Captain Roch Berthiaume, #2 Greg Moser, #3 Madison Tracey, #4 Darryl Konner, Vice Captain Brian Reeves, #6 Mathieu Plante, #7 Ryan Raposo, B.O. Lorne Beleskey, Technician Nick Fram

Timmins District:
Discovery Porcupine – Hoyle Pond Mine

Captain Adam Weagle, #2 Merlyn Tugas, #3 Darianne Dussault, #4 Pat Fontaine, Vice Captain Richard Martin, #6 Eric Coderre, #7 Brayden Leduc, B.O Andy Burns, Technician Mike Ladouceur

Red Lake District:
Evolution Mining – Red Lake Operations

Captain Scott McKean, #2 Nicole Gauthier, #3 Dave Zapora, #4 Sam Clark, Vice Captain Micky Gilbart, #6 James Dobbyn, #7 Raymond Kitchen, B.O. Rob Nylund, Technician Geoff Taylor

Onaping District:
Glencore Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations – Craig
Mine

Captain Shawn O'Brien, #2 Patrick Legris, #3 Alyssa Frising, #4 Denis Jr. Leblond, Vice Captain Aaron Boutet, #6 Steven Hrycay, #7 Alyssa Spry, B.O. Bleir Millions, Technician Daniel Rioux

Kirkland Lake District:
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. – Macassa Mine

Captain Jackson Lafrance, #2 Kody Delaurier, #3 Alex Perrault, #4 Kameron Stoesz, Vice Captain Jean-Francois Racine, #6 Carlie Dewar #7 Luc Daviau, B.O. Nick Perrier, Technician Caolan Browne

Thunder Bay District:
Orla Mining – Musselwhite Mine

Captain Gabriel Roy, #2 Leaf Watson, #3 Mitchell Halteman, #4 Seamus Postuma, Vice Captain Connor Olimb, #6 Kevin Ireland, #7 Daison Boyd, B.O. Steven Uchtenhagen, Technician Jimmy Sinclair

Algoma District:
Hemlo Mining Company – Williams Mine

Captain Jared Lindsay, #2 William Martin, #3 Keith Johnson, #4 Chris Hause, Vice Captain Keith Clarke, #6 Alex Brown, #7 Micheal Toye, B.O. Russell Eagle, Technician Alex Vizier

See you in Sudbury for the 2026 Provincial Mine Rescue Competition!

For more information on OMR competitions, visit https://www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/en/ontario-mine-rescue/ontario-mine-rescue/mine-rescue-competitions

04/24/2026

Just two weeks away — your mine rescue teams are preparing to compete from May 6 - 8 in select locations.

The public and media are welcome to witness these highly-skilled volunteers in action. For more information about your local district competition, visit: https://www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/en/ontario-mine-rescue/ontario-mine-rescue/mine-rescue-competitions

04/15/2026

Ontario Mine Rescue has announced an exciting new initiative: the development of a new state-of-the-art Ontario Mine Rescue Training Academy.

This morning, Chief Mine Rescue Officer Shawn Rideout, Minister David Piccini, Mayor of Sudbury Paul Lefebvre, Chief Governance Officer of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Bruce Smith, and CEO Mike Parent introduced the project at the annual Mining Health and Safety Conference, highlighting the critical need for dedicated emergency response training grounds in the heart of Ontario. This facility will transform how officers and volunteers are trained – providing local access to advanced simulations that reflect the complex, high-hazard environments found in Ontario's rapidly expanding mining sector.

Beyond OMR, the Academy intends to serve as a key training destination for emergency response personnel across the province, supporting our municipal fire services, industrial teams, and provincial partners.

In Rideout's own words: "Over the course of 90 years, Ontario Mine Rescue has set the standard for excellence. This investment ensures we not only maintain that standard, but elevate it. This will build self-sufficiency, accelerate skill development, and strengthen emergency readiness in our province."

Workplace Safety North
Prepared Ontario

03/13/2026

Today, Ontario Mine Rescue is pleased to announce a new partnership with Ontario Corps. Chief MRO Shawn Rideout and Minister Jill Dunlop signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking an important step toward collaboration and strengthening the province’s emergency response sector.

By sharing expertise, training, and coordination, this partnership will help build a strong emergency response network for all Ontarians.

Workplace Safety North
Bill Rosenberg

02/24/2026

Last week was a blast at OMR headquarters and Dynamic Earth!

MROs had the opportunity to be apart of the Intercollegiate Mine Emergency Response Competition (IMERC), hosted in Ontario for the first time by Laurentian University. 9 mine rescue teams from universities across North America, from Arizona to British Columbia, came together to participate — not only to compete, but to train, network, and experience industry tours.

This event was possible thanks to the countless volunteers and sponsors that support mine rescue efforts, including Laurentian University - Université Laurentienne, T'NT Work & Rescue, and Hexagon. Science North & Dynamic Earth's facilities and Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal's confined space unit provided an unforgettable and immersive experience for participants.

Congratulations to Laurentian University Mine Rescue as 1st place winners, and all participants for completing the IMERC 2026 — the future of mine rescue is lucky to have you!

01/23/2026

Ontario Mine Rescue’s Chief Mine Rescue Officer, Shawn Rideout, recently travelled to Zambia in his role as an International Mine Rescue Body (IMRB) Director to support preparations for Zambia’s first-ever International Mine Rescue Competition, taking place April 25 – May 7, 2026.

Shawn’s visit focused on helping with competition set-up and reviewing rescue scenario locations across multiple sites. Over a 10-day period, he travelled underground to assess mine rescue, first aid, skills, and technician competition scenarios hosted at the Mopani Copper Mines Plc Training Centre in Mufulira and reviewed the rope rescue scenario and firefighting venue at First Quantum Minerals in Solwezi.

Speaking during the visit, Rideout highlighted the significance of hosting the competition in Zambia for the first time:

“As much as the IMRC showcases mine rescue and emergency response capabilities, hosting the competition is a very proactive commitment by Mopani and FQM to demonstrate that safety remains the top priority in mining. The IMRB is extremely excited to see Zambia host this competition for the first time on African soil.”

Following a week-long inspection tour, Rideout expressed strong confidence in Zambia’s readiness to host the international event:

“I have been blown away by the level of investment and effort put into developing world-class emergency response training centres. The venues selected to challenge global mine rescue teams are second to none.”

OMR is proud to support global collaboration and the advancement of mine rescue excellence worldwide.

International Mine Rescue Competition
Mopani Copper Mines Plc
First Quantum Minerals