Wichita provides backup as Topeka trucks get fixed
Originally published 03:41 p.m., July 23, 2008
Updated 06:05 p.m., July 23, 2008
The big red fire truck, equipped with a 75-foot ladder and other rescue equipment is ready for service.
And though it says Quint 21 on the side and Wichita Fire Department on the door, the truck is acting as the Topeka Fire Department's aerial eight.
“This is a new experience for us and probably for Topeka,” said Lance Diffenbaugh, Wichita firefighter.
It and Topeka's two other trucks with ladders, that allow firefighters to fight fires at high heights, are broken.
“This might make a significant difference,” he said. “If something was to happen in this area they might need a ladder and we'd be right here.”
Diffenbaugh is just one of two firefighters from Wichita temporarily stationed in Topeka to help protect citizens.
The crew and its brand new truck arrived Wednesday morning.
The truck called a quint is different from an aerial. It has a smaller ladder than the Topeka trucks. But, unlike the Topeka trucks, also holds a water tank and fire hose.
Hear more from Lance Diffenbaugh about his temporary assignment in Topeka here.
“We're actually the drivers,” Diffenbaugh said. “Their lieutenants, captains and firefighters are doing all the structural fire fighting.”
Topeka is also relying on the Mission Township Fire Department for help.
It has a quint truck with a 55-foot ladder, meaning it reach five to six stories tall.
Most aerial trucks have ladders that reach up to 100 feet.
Mission Township Fire Chief Forrest Walter says a department having a quint, aerial truck, or both, is a manager's budget decision.
“You're going to spend a lot more money on a quint ,but you only need one truck instead of two or three,” Walter said.
In the meantime, one of Topeka's broken aerial trucks is still responding to fires, acting as a truck company, not an aerial company.
The Wichita Fire Department will provide its truck for as long as Topeka needs it, but the firefighter teams will be switched out.
Topeka Fire Marshal Greg Bailey told 49 News one truck would be repaired by Thursday. We'll let you know if that happens.
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