In the event of a fire, who is primarily responsible for shutting the power off to affected elevators?

The engine officer is primarily responsible for shutting the power off to affected elevators during a fire incident. This role is integral to ensuring the safety of everyone involved, including fire personnel and the public. Elevators can pose significant hazards during a fire, as they may become inoperable or even stop between floors. Powering them down prevents any unintended use or malfunction that could trap individuals inside or put them at risk of exposure to smoke or fire.

The engine officer, tasked with oversight of operations on the scene, is trained to assess situations rapidly and make informed decisions about safety protocols. This includes coordinating power shut-off procedures, ensuring that the area is safe for firefighters to operate, and maintaining communication with other team members.

Other roles, such as the assistant chief, mechanic, or safety officer, may have their specific duties and responsibilities in the incident response but are not primarily tasked with managing power to elevators. The assistant chief might oversee broader operational strategies, the mechanic generally handles equipment maintenance and repairs, and the safety officer focuses on ensuring overall safety compliance, rather than directly managing elevator power issues.