According to its corporate website, South Carolina-based Fisher Tank Company's motto is "safety, quality and productivity." That assertion was tested recently in Stillwater as two employees working on mechanical scaffolding had to be rescued after a motor on the scaffolding failed, trapping them near the top of a water tank over 100 feet off the ground.

The rescue operation turned out to be relatively complex, taking two hours and involving as many as 40 people, including personnel from the Stillwater police and fire departments, as well as emergency workers from across the region. A New York task force search-and-rescue team leader, John Stewart, cited hot and stuffy conditions that challenged rescue workers. ""We had to frequently change people out," said Stewart." It was difficult." Rescue personnel were only able to work in 10 - 15 minute shifts, which necessitated considerable movement near the base of the tank and added to the rescue's duration.

The trapped workers, who were hanging suspended from the scaffolding, wore hoods and respirators during the operation, which provided fresh air and kept sand-blasted particles away from their faces. Rescue workers used a utility line that had been used to haul equipment to the scaffold to get water to them.

Eventually, a member of Stewart's team was able to climb up to the scaffolding, where he prepared rigging that enabled the two trapped employees and him to rappel down to the ground.

The names of the rescued workers were not revealed by the company. An on-site foreman stated that they were experienced workers.

Related Resource: saratogian.com "Two safe after being stuck on scaffolding inside water tank in town of Stillwater" July 7, 2010