Throughout the country, fire departments respond to reports of stalled elevators with people trapped in them on a daily basis. Depending on department protocols, which unit responds to these calls may vary, or the incident may require a multicompany response. Most of these calls are routine and involve just shutting the power off to the stalled car and using an elevator key to open the hoistway door. It’s easily accomplished, and we’re back on the rig available for our next call in minutes. However, every now and then, we’ll face a more involved extrication that may require using air bags, portable ladders, rope and rigging, or power tools to access the elevator and remove the victims.
Taking in a run for a reported stalled elevator at a mixed occupancy building out of your first-due area can be a learning experience. You may be unfamiliar with the building, the power shutoff locations, and the type of elevators involved until you see them.
Arriving on scene, we met the building manager out front; he told us that the security camera showed one person stuck on the third floor and that the elevator company had been notified. Luckily, this new building had a communication system tied directly to the car. The person was not in any state of panic and was advised of our arrival.
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