Whenever the superintendent of any station shall be notified by any responsible person that an explosion or accident requiring his 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 rescue corps in saving life and property; and he shall co-operate with the State Mine Inspector and the management of the mine in rescue work to such extent as is necessary, for the protection of human life in the mine, during such time as members of the rescue corps are underground and while there is a reasonable expectation that men in the mine may be alive.