What hazards are associated with elevator use during fires and how should dispatch respond?

• A. Elevators are safe in fires; dispatch instructs to use elevators
• B. Elevators should be used to transport all firefighters only
• C. Elevators are irrelevant to incident command
• D. Elevators can fail or trap occupants; dispatch coordinates elevator control, uses stairs, and standpipe operations

Answer: (D)

Elevator use during fires introduces real hazards because the hoistway and car can fail, lose power, or trap occupants, and smoke or heat can travel through the shaft. Doors can malfunction, cars can stop between floors, and people may become stuck or exposed to worsening conditions. Because of these dangers, elevators should not be used casually during a fire. Dispatch responsibilities include coordinating elevator control so the fire department can manage any recall or shutdown under a controlled plan, preventing public or civilian use, and keeping status updates on which cars are operable and where they are. The safest approach is to rely on stairs for evacuation and access, while establishing standpipe operations to support interior firefighting with a reliable water supply. This arrangement minimizes risk to occupants and crews and keeps incident command informed and in control. The other choices miss the hazards and the need for active, coordinated elevator management in a fire scenario.