By Glenn Hicks

Stuck in an elevator? Stay put and don’t panic

Feb 22, 2018 | 11:00 AM

It’s very rare for people to be stuck in elevators, but Prince Albert firefighters have responded to two such calls in the past week.

“We’ve had maybe four to five elevator calls the 26 years I’ve been at the department,” Battalion Chief Gerald Parks told paNOW. “To have two in a row is very uncommon.”

Prince Albert Fire Department responded to incidents in buildings on the 2400-Block of First Ave. W. Feb.16 and the 3200-Block of Second Ave. W. Feb. 20. In both cases the occupants were trapped in the elevator, but crews were able to get them out without much fuss. Parks couldn’t say what caused the issues beyond speculating that “someone may have pushed the emergency stop button,” but noted the fire crews’ job is to get people out safely. After that, he said the matter is reported to the building owner’s mechanical team.

Parks said there was no reason to assume elevators become less reliable due to the cold weather, or any other factors.

“This is just a very rare coincidence,” he said.

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Parks said the fire department wants to share recommendations on how to respond if you are unfortunate enough to get stuck. The key, he said, is to stay calm, not panic, don’t push any buttons, and call 911 or loudly call for help. If you don’t have a phone with you, Parks said someone will hear the shouts or notice the elevator is stuck. The occupants of a stuck elevator should absolutely stay put, he said, and wait for assistance.

“You see in the movies they open the hatch and get on top of the elevator car and make their way up. That’s not recommended,” Parks said.  “We have access to an elevator key to open the doors … We’re here 24/7, 365 days a year to respond.”

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow