Coal miners need continuous training in first aid and mine rescue to ensure their safety and preparedness in case of emergencies. The Harlan County Safety Days Mine Rescue Contest addresses this need by providing a structured and competitive environment for training.

The Harlan County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources collaborated with Cumberland Tourism and the Kentucky Division of Mine Safety to develop and direct the Harlan County Safety Days Mine Rescue Contest. This event, now in its 12th year, offers mock disaster situations in first aid and mine rescue, which are timed and evaluated in a contest format. The event aims to enhance the skills and readiness of mine rescue teams from various coal mining companies.

The 2024 event attracted ten mine rescue teams from Kentucky and Virginia, involving more than 90 miners. Over the past decade (2011-2024), the contest has trained over 1,200 coal miners from more than 30 coal company teams across eight states.

The 2024 event injected $20,000 into the local community and provided valuable skills training for 90 miners. Over the past eleven years, the event has contributed a total of $412,000 to the local economy and significantly improved the safety and preparedness of over 1,200 coal miners through first-aid and mine rescue training.