Station 14 alerted to a High Angle Elevator Rescue

On May 15th, 2007 Station 14, along with La Plata Truck 1 and Waldorf Station 3 with the High Angle Rescue trailer to an Elevator Rescue. Engine 141, 144 and PA-148 responded, along with Chief 14 (G. Hayden), Chief 14-A (S. Shifflett) and Chief 14-B (C. Young). while units were en route, Charles County Communications advised that 5 subjects were trapped in an outside frieght elevator, which was approx. 115 feet up from the ground. Units arrived on the scene to locate an elevator on Side "C" of the Power Plant to discover that the counter-weight of the elevator had come off track. Chief 14 established the Newburg Command, and assigned the following: Operations to Chief 14-A (S. Shifflett), Rescue Division to Chief 1 (S. Shahan) and Safety Officer was assigned to Chief 3 (D. Stevens). Command Staff met with the supervisors of the Plant and dicussed several options to attempt the rescue. Units first attempted to utilize Truck 1 to reach the subjects, however was unsuccessful. After that was unsuccessful, command staff had also discussed the possibility of cutting a hole in the side of the building to access the subjects. It was decided to utilize the equipment on scene (I.E. Cranes, Rescue Baskets, etc.) Capt. 1 (D. Hutchins) was placed in the rescue basket and secured the elevator for removal of the victims. After approx. 1 hour into the incident, all victims were safely lowered to the ground without incident. Job well done by all units operating on this incident, as well as communications.