05/13/2025
The Jacksonville Fire Department responded promptly to an emergency at the NESTLE USA facility, where an elevator had stalled below the third-floor doors, trapping an occupant inside. Upon arrival, fire crews coordinated with on-scene management from NESTLE USA and a KONE elevator representative to assess the situation and ensure the safety of all involved. Before initiating the rescue, firefighters confirmed that the elevator car and its power supply were fully shut down, adhering to lock-out/tag-out procedures to prevent any accidental movement of the car during the operation.
Given the elevator’s position-below the third-floor landing and inaccessible from that level-the fire department accessed the shaft from the fourth-floor doors. Firefighters deployed a 24-foot extension ladder down to the top of the stalled car. A trained firefighter, equipped with a harness and secured to a life safety kernmantle rope, was carefully lowered onto the elevator car. Utilizing advanced technician-level tactics and KONE elevator representative guidance, the firefighter removed the top panel of the elevator car housing, allowing safe entry to reach the trapped occupant.
With clear communication maintained throughout the operation, the occupant was secured in a harness and safely lifted out of the elevator car, up the ladder, and out through the third-floor doors. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Jacksonville Fire Department, NESTLE USA management, and the KONE representative, the rescue was completed without injury to the occupant or rescuers. The elevator remained out of service, pending inspection and repair by qualified technicians, ensuring continued safety at the facility.
Request for further information can be directed to:
Jacksonville Fire Department 217-479-4656