Local officials met with staff from Tullio Towers after an Erie News Now report Wednesday on the conditions inside.

Residents said there have been no working elevators in the low-income housing complex for seniors since Friday. Some can't use the stairs so they are trapped in their apartments. 

We received this statement from Erie County this afternoon:

County Executive Davis and the Erie County Department of Public Safety, in coordination with Erie Fire Department (…and EmergyCare) met with staff from Tullio Towers this afternoon to evaluate the life hazards to the residents of Tullio Towers due to both elevators being inoperable in this high-rise residential building.  In the absence of an elevator, we ensured the stairwells were accessible and clear for the residents and first responders, and placed an alert associated with this location (Tullio Towers) in the county’s 911 computer-aided dispatch system.  In the event of an emergency (9-1-1 call), the public safety telecommunicators will receive an alert, and will notify the first responder agencies (EMS, Fire or Police) prior to their arrival of the life hazard at this location and the inoperable elevators advising responders to utilize stairwells to access the various floors. The pre-plans (response recommendations) at this location may be altered or changed prior or during an incident in real-time by the incident commander, as deemed necessary.

 

Erie County Executive Brenton Davis spoke with Erie News Now Wednesday evening. He said he became aware of the problem after a staff member sent him a link to our report.

"When I see large failures of this magnitude, this is a serious issue," Davis said. "As county executive, then I put my other hat on. From our county housing authority...looking at who has the oversight.  Because ultimately, we're going to look at making contact with these owners and having a conversation," he said.

He said the county will keep monitoring the situation and hope to develop a long-term solution.