Section 1430.4 - Mine Families First Program(a) Establishment.--The department shall establish the Mine Families First Program as part of the Mine Emergency Response Program to ensure two-way communication between those persons in command of a mine emergency response operation and the families of miners trapped, injured or awaiting rescue.(b) Mine families first response and communication plan.--Within 90 days of the effective date of this section, the department shall develop a mine families first response and communication plan to outline the steps that shall be taken by the department and mine owners and operators to communicate with families of miners involved in a mine emergency. The plan shall at a minimum contain the following:(1) Procedures for the immediate notification of mine family members in the event of a mine emergency through individuals previously designated by mine workers.(2) Designation of and, if necessary, transportation to a physical location for mine families to gather to obtain information about the mine emergency and rescue operations.(3) Security provisions to ensure the privacy of mine families at the location designated for mine emergency briefings for families.(4) Procedures to ensure mine families are briefed regularly, before the news media, about the progress of the mine emergency response.(5) Designation of a mine family first liaison staff for each incident to serve as a 24-hour point of contact for mine families to provide a two-way conduit for information about the mine emergency and rescue operations.(6) Procedures and a process for involving and coordinating the participation of not-for-profit and public social service organizations to provide counseling and other social services mine families may need during a mine emergency.(7) Procedures and a process for notification and, if needed, transportation of mine families to medical facilities where miners extricated from mines are given follow-up medical care.(c) Public review process.--(1) The department shall, within 30 days of completing the initial mine families first response and communication plan, submit the plan for public review and comment.(2) After completion of the review and comment period, the department shall make the necessary revisions to the mine families first response and communication plan and develop a final plan for use as part of a mine emergency response program.2007, Oct. 4, P.L. 415, No. 57, § 4, imd. effective.