Technical Rescue: Toe the Line: Rope Rescues in Vertical Spaces

In the May 2025 issue of Firehouse, we discussed roof rope operations and what those types of incidents bring to the table (“Roof Rope Operations and Training,” firehouse.com/55280416). Taking that a step forward brings to the forefront incidents that involve vertical shafts.
What’s below isn’t meant to serve as the one and only way to approach vertical shafts and chases. It’s meant to help to understand one of numerous thought processes that might occur during these types of incidents.

Vertical shaft types

In many towns across the United States, there’s been a boom in the construction of mid-rise pedestal-type buildings. They might have four or five lightweight floors of residential units that are on top of a commercial strip of stores and restaurants. Many of these buildings have elevators and chases to accommodate Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

Furthermore, in some factories and mill complexes that were built in the early 1900s, it’s common to find blind shaftways that served the purpose of moving materials and products to and from different levels of the building.

Even in some McMansions, you might find shafts that are within the framing of the dwelling. They might take the form of a laundry chute, an elevator or a dumbwaiter lift/elevator.
A building shaftway can take various forms. It all depends on its purpose.

Elevator shafts house and guide elevator systems that are within a fixed area of a building.
Utility shafts are used for running electrical, plumbing and other utilities. The potential for a rescue situation in a utility shaft—or a mechanical chase—falls into that low-frequency box on the probability chart.

Trash and laundry chutes might create unique scenarios for firefighters.

Blind shafts, which might be referred to as dead or inactive shafts, aren’t used for movement of something substantial or for utilities. They might be designed by an engineer for future functionality of a space or for structural purposes, without accommodating anything extra.

No matter the type of vertical shaft, if someone or something is stuck in one of these areas, it falls to firefighters and first responders to mitigate the situation. This is where the principles of rope rescue, building construction knowledge and strategic problem-solving converge. By understanding the forms and functions of vertical shafts and applying tailored techniques, fire and rescue teams can navigate these incidents effectively. The aim isn’t only to overcome the immediate challenges but also to ensure that all operations prioritize safety and efficiency.

Operational priorities

Before diving into a full-blown, complex rope rescue operation, one of the first things to do is to confirm whether there’s a victim and, if there is, to make contact with the individual if possible. Ask basic questions. “Hey, are you in here? Are you okay? What happened?” 
In the case of a child or a pet, confirm the last known location with whomever is or was with the child or pet.

Next, assess the situation. For example, what is the current and future status of the victim both short term and long term? If the rescue operation will require 15 minutes, what might happen in that amount of time? If the operation will require a couple of hours, what might happen?

Continue your assessment. Size up the building construction and where the victim is located. Is the situation something as relatively simple as a stalled elevator car at the bottom of the hoistway? Is a child stuck in a laundry chute? Did a construction worker fall down into the subgrade pit of an empty elevator shaft of a Class IV mill that’s undergoing renovations?
As you break down a scenario, consider what was revealed by preplanning and surveying the jurisdiction’s buildings. (Note: During your preplanning, if you couldn’t get into some buildings, reaching out to the municipality’s building department could be beneficial as far as it having information.)

Understand your department’s capabilities, including staffing, equipment and training levels. This allows for mutual aid that you ascertained previously (even via joint trainings and drills).

Myriad questions

Consider this: a stalled elevator that’s in the midst of its shaft. Once elevator operations policies are in place, the initial question becomes: How do you access the elevator car? If the plan involves using the roof hatch to reach those who are inside, several factors must be considered. Is it sufficient to deploy a roof ladder or a pencil ladder onto the next hoistway landing, creating a temporary scaffold? Does the scenario require a technical rope
system/descent method to allow a rescuer to approach the car directly and then use a hauling system to extricate the victim?

I recall a late-evening call that involved an elevator entrapment in an early 20th-century mill conversion. The elevator—an original industrial freight model—was stuck about two-thirds of the way up its shaft. Compounding the problem, the wooden hoistway door was misaligned, which further complicated access. Despite the precarious position, the occupant exhibited no immediate medical concerns. Elevator maintenance personnel weren’t responding to calls for assistance. The situation compelled us to thoroughly evaluate our options and think creatively under pressure.

With the size-up process underway, pertinent questions included: Is power secured? If not, what’s the process for securing it? What does power do for members? What can be done to get the occupant out while maintaining the integrity of the elevator? Should the doors be forced? If so, how? If they’re pushed in a certain direction, will there be more issues?
Shifting, here, from the actual call to a theoretical one, Plan A could involve an attempt to open up as minimally invasively as possible. Plan B could be to cut away sections of the jammed wooden door to create space for the occupant. Plan C could be to open up from above and set up portable ladders to the car and in the shaftway. Plan D could be to set up ropes and work from the floor above to access the top hatch of the car. Then what? Is the occupant removed back up the shaftway and out?

Yes, questions such as those above must be thought about when deciphering these kinds of incidents. However, they will be answered best when they were discussed at the kitchen table and/or during trainings and drills.

Capabilities and skills

The day that members must carry out a rescue that involves dropping ropes can’t be the first time that they open the rope bags. Furthermore, it’s vital to understand crews’ capabilities, equipment and mindset.

A stark reality in the fire service is the uneven distribution of skills and tools. Some departments might be well equipped with cutting-edge gear but lack the practical know-how (e.g., tying even a basic clove hitch). Others might boast exceptional proficiency but are underresourced or lack equipment.

Recognizing and addressing these disparities before an emergency is key to devising an adaptable and effective rescue plan. Either circumstance might require members to think outside of the box to execute a rope operation in a vertical shaft.

Experience and cohesion

Often, the mindset of a rescuer is either overlooked or assumed. The rescuer who goes over or down to make patient contact must have the utmost trust in the entire team. After all, the team literally has the life of the rescuer on two lines (primary and backup).
The members who assemble the rope systems and the required hardware
(e.g., a vortex) must be well trained and well experienced. The rescue leader,
who acts as the conductor amid chaos, requires a profound understanding of each team member’s strengths and abilities. This level of trust and cohesion ensures that even in the most precarious circumstances, every rescuer is positioned for success.

Many strands

Vertical shaft rescue operations demand an intricate blend of technical acumen, rigorous preplanning and adaptive problem-solving. They require advanced training, mastering equipment through repeated practice, and open, detailed discussions about unconventional scenarios. Only through these concepts can fire and rescue teams dramatically improve outcomes when seconds count. As fire departments continue to face ever-evolving architectural designs and unique emergency challenges, unwavering commitment to preparation and innovation remains the bedrock of saving lives.

In addition to refining protocols on paper, consider integrating lessons from recent field experiences into regular training sessions. This ensures that theory and practice continually evolve together, preparing teams not only to respond but to thrive.