The Brookwood-Sago grants program was established through a provision in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, and fiscal year 2009′s funding will target the development and implementation of training and training materials for mine emergency preparedness and haulage safety.

“Although the training services of the six grant recipients will be targeted toward underground coal mines, MSHA opened up the application process this year to metal and nonmetal mines,” said Dr. Gregory R. Wagner, MSHA’s deputy assistant secretary for policy. “Ultimately, our goal is the same: To identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around all mines.”

The six grant recipients are as follows:

* United Mine Workers of America Career Centers was awarded $103,000 to develop training materials which will include command, control, and critical thinking.
* Pennsylvania State University was awarded $153,000 to design, develop, and implement a mine emergency training program on refuge alternatives that uses a multi-media approach.
* Colorado School of Mines was awarded $90,000 to focus on incident command center and mine rescue training, and develop computer simulation training and field exercises through the use of training simulators.
* Rend Lake College of Ina, Ill., was awarded $50,000 for the re-establishment of its coal miner training program in southern Illinois.
* The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy was awarded $54,000 for its mine emergency fire fighting training program, which will include certifying miners, especially at smaller mines.
* The Illinois Department of Natural Resources was awarded $50,000 for the development of DVDs and online training materials on the use, care, and maintenance of self-contained breathing apparatuses, and the roles and responsibilities of mine rescue team members.

Training grants are awarded for a 12-month project performance period, and applicants must be states or nonprofit entities. The grants were named in remembrance of the 13 men who died in two explosions at the Jim Walter Resources #5 mine in Brookwood, Ala., in 2001 and 12 men who died in an explosion at the Sago Mine in Buchannon, W.Va., in 2006.

Members of Class No. 82 attended weekend classes at the fire academy and completed 164 hours of course work over 24 sessions. They received training in rescue, fire extinguishment, hazardous materials response, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, electrical safety, and care of hoses, ladders and other equipment, according to a press release.

“As graduates of this program you will serve your friends, neighbors and community as you embark on a public service career,” Monmouth County Freeholder Director Barbara J. McMorrow said. “By virtue of becoming a volunteer firefighter, each of you will have an occasion to go above and beyond the call of duty. Be assured it is not something we forget or take lightly.

“The graduates of Class 82 are ready to join the ranks of 6,000 other active local firefighters,” McMorrow continued. “As firefighters, you will join other emergency responders who are available at all times. Your ability to react properly and safely can be attributed to the training you have just completed and this training will serve you well when confronted with life and death situations.”

“These firefighter graduates are to be commended for their dedication and willingness to serve,” said William Itinger, chief training officer at the county facility. “This class had some tough days and some good days. They are ready to provide a great service to their communities as they carry out their important duties.”

Each firefighter was awarded a certificate of course completion by McMorrow, Itinger and First Deputy Fire Marshal Henry Stryker.

Each year thousands of local firefighters receive training at the county fire academy.

The local graduates are: Zachary S. Caruso, Freehold Township Independent Fire Co. No. 1; Michael J. Fogarty Jr., Freehold Township Independent Fire Co. No. 1; Joseph N. Heaton, Farmingdale.

And, Christopher Holmes, Morganville Independent Fire Co., Marlboro; Jules M. Kwiatkowski, Robertsville Fire Company, Marlboro; Stephen T. Lengyel, Freehold Township Independent Fire Co. No. 1; Thomas J. Merker, Manalapan Township Fire Co. No. 1.

Also, Ronald J. Osadacz, Morganville Fire Co., Marlboro; Jason B. Patel, Robertsville Fire Company, Marlboro; Stanley R. Patterson Jr., Freehold Fire Department, Freehold Borough; Kyle F. Reese, Freehold Township Independent Fire Co. No. 1; and Daniel F. Xavier, Freehold Fire Department, Freehold Borough.