Whenever the mine rescue station superintendent of any State mine rescue station shall be notified by any responsible person that an explosion or accident requiring mine rescue services has occurred at any mine in the State, he shall proceed immediately with suitable equipment and on arrival at the said mine shall superintend the work of the State mine rescue teams in saving lives. The mine rescue station superintendent shall cooperate with the State Mine Inspector, management of the mine, and State and federal organizations to such extent as is necessary for the protection of human life in the mine during such time as members of the State mine rescue teams are underground and while there is a reasonable expectation that persons in the mine may be alive. Recovery operations that are intended solely for the purpose of securing property are not covered by this Section. Additional mine rescue services for the purpose of securing property are the responsibility of the operator of the property.
225 ILCS 705/11.05