In this elevator rescue training video, Carolina Fire Days Instructors Chris Smity and Geoff Davis of District of Columbia Fire Department (DCFD) provide an in-depth look at elevator rescues, starting with basic operation and rescue techniques and progressing to last-resort elevator rope rescues. This is Video 2 of the 19-week video series, highlighting essential gear. Here is a transcript of this video:

VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION:

Minimum equipment that you need to be wearing, that you need to be carrying on with us. So, helmet, either structural helmet or a low profile helmet. these are great that we have laying out here. Structural helmets worked well…also. But once you’re in and moving around that brim can kind of get on the way. Steel toed boots, work gloves, duty uniform with long pants.

No bulky clothing. If we’re up in the elevator machine room and that machine’s running with coal going through. And I’ve got a big bulky jacket on. The chances that I get caught in there are higher than if I don’t. Tools to consider when you are running these: portable radio, flat head axe, and Halligan bar. Any ideas why? Keys to the city, [unintelligible]. Flashlights so important that I carry one on my little set of elevator keys, and most guys do as well.

Chocks in elevator doors make a huge difference. We spend a lot of time one person standing behind the guy that’s pulling and hold the elevator door open. Simple door chocks will work just fine. Just shove that under the elevator door between it and the floor, grab a tool or hydra ram if they’re calling and ask for the hydra ram with the spreaders.

I know some cool sh*t’s about to go down, but things aren’t going well either. As they’re calling and asking for that. We’re definitely outside of our normal playbook.