From the Sutphen Corporation web site:
Press Release – Five-Section Aerials
Dublin, OH**For Immediate Release**
Date: July 22, 2014
RE: Sutphen Voluntarily Removing 5-Section Aerial Devices From Service
Sutphen Corporation has announced that the Company is instructing customers to remove all SPH 100, SP 110, SPI 112, and SAI 110 Aerial devices from service, until further notice, effective immediately.
The company states that customers are instructed to use the affected apparatus in the capacity of an engine or support vehicle only. The Company will stay in close contact with its customers to report details and when the units may be placed back in service.
“At this time, our priority is the safety of our firefighters,” says Drew Sutphen, President of the Company. “In light of the recent incidents, we recognize there is an immediate need to take precautionary action. I would rather take every precaution necessary than to put firefighters at risk.”
The company states that it will be contacting customers with the affected units personally to inform them of the events that have occurred and the steps that are being taken to get the units back in to service in a timely manner.
“We feel the need to personally assure our customers that we are working to investigate and correct the situation,” Drew continues.
Sutphen Corporation is an Ohio based privately held, family owned business that manufactures custom built emergency response vehicles. The company’s headquarters are located in suburban Dublin, Ohio northwest of Columbus.
For more information contact the sales office.
Three Hall County firefighters were injured in a training exercise on Tuesday.
According to Hall County Fire Services spokesperson Scott Cagle, the three men were in a bucket on top of a ladder that was extended. There was a mechanical failure and the ladder dropped about 20 feet and then jammed. That sudden stop is what injured the firemen.
Two of the firefighters were life-lighted to Grady Memorial Hospital; the third was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Gainesville, Ga.
All three were said to be alert, conscious and breathing. They were identified as Will Griffin, T.J. Elliot and Stephen Jackson. They were said to be in stable condition.
