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Updated: 10:56 PM Jul 22, 2008
Topeka Fire Department's Aerial Trucks Out of Service
The Topeka Fire Department's two primary aerial trucks as well as its backup unit are all down with mechanical problems. Mission Township is on standby to respond to calls. Plus, Wichita may send up an aerial truck and two crew members to assist until repairs are made. Posted: 9:00 PM Jul 22, 2008Reporter: 13 News  TFD Aerial Trucks Down Fire Marshal Greg Bailey on Aerial Trucks |
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9 Comments 
The Topeka Fire Department says help is on the way to fill a gap in the city's fire protection.
Topeka Fire Marshal Greg Bailey says both of the departments primary aerial trucks and its back-up unit are out of service with mechanical problems. The units have ladders, enabling fire crews to reach heights greater than two stories. They're also able to funnel a heavier stream of water onto a burning structure.
International Association of Firefighters Local 83 President Kent Dederick says the lack of an aerial truck would pose a problem for any fires reaching above two stories.
Bailey says Topeka Fire has recruited help from Mission Township, which will make its aerial truck available for dispatch to Topeka locations. In addition, both Kansas City and Wichita have offered to send a truck to Topeka. Bailey says it was likely the department would accept Wichita's offer to send up a truck with two firefighters to staff it. The truck would arrive Wednesday morning. Bailey expects at least one of Topeka's aerial units to be back in service by the end of the week.
If a high-rise fire should happen overnight Tuesday, Bailey said he didn't foresee any major issues. He says response time from Mission Township wouldn't be a huge delay. He said firefighters would have to launch rescue operations in a different manner until the truck arrived.
Latest Comments
I'm once again amazed. Once the news broke about the trucks being broke, they were fixed in a day. Must the department be in the bad news column to get results? Maybe the firefighters have a valid point? I heard a comment once that a good boss can lead and operate all the equipment in their care.. Could the City Chief drive and operate every vehicle? Does he ralyyunderstand the safety needs of the community?
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To the person that posted the comment on firefighters being over exaggerated. I'm a volunteer firefighter and it kills me to hear someone talk about their fire department that way. So firefighters most likely don't put their lives on the line daily but when there is a working structure fire or car accident there is a chance that someone might not go home that night. Also when there not out fighting fire or cutting people out of cars there probably responding as an EMT to save someone with medical issues. Then if there not doing that there out there doing inspections to make sure that buildings you occupy are safe plus they do fire prevention to teach you and your kids about the danger of fire and how to avoid them so tragedy doesn't happen to you. So the next time you call 911 because your precious little cat is stuck in the tree or your house is on fire see who responds to help you out and then tell me that these men and women are being over exaggerated.
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GUSTAV--- Which station do you live within view from? Some stations aren't busy, others run 10-15 calls a day. You lived by two (2) houses that bruned down??????? coincidence????? Maybe instead of watching the bright red stuff, you should CALL 911 to alert the fire department. Once they're notified, they're typically out the door in under one minute. Sometimes houses are gone by the time they're notified. Sit back in your recliner and relax, collect your government check and food stamps (that my taxes are paying). Also, quit setting houses on fire.
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